Event News - Hero Bowl

A few future Golden Rams will be participating in the 42nd Annual Delaware County Hero Bowl football game to be held at 7:30 pm on May 31 at Cardinal O'Hara High School. Expected to participate in the contest are running back Danny Guy of Garnet Valley, running back Ja'Den McKenzie of Springfield, and receiver Carrington Hooks of Haverford. All with suit up for Team Red.

Several former Golden Rams have participated in this contest including linebacker Tyler Morrissey (2012), offensive lineman Connor Walsh (2014), defensive back Jaishan Thornton (2014), offensive lineman Brian Ross (2015), offensive lineman John DiPasquale (2015), and kicker George Lambritsios (2016). The Hero Bowl serves as Delaware County's senior all-star game with all proceeds going to benefit the Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County to provide scholarships to the children of police officers, fire fighters and EMS workers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Delco Daily Times - Bowens ready to bring it for Hero Bowl

UPDATE - Delaware County Daily Times - Offense is for kicks as Red Team all-stars squeeze by Blue Team at Hero Bowl

Alumni News - Mike Horrocks to Capital Area Sports Hall of Fame

Former Golden Ram quarterback Micahel Horrocks '85 will be inducted into the Capital Area Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The Chapter’s annual 52nd Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg East, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg.

Horrocks starred at Hershey High before playing for the Golden Rams. He finished his West Chester career 226 of 458 passes for 3,236 yards and 27 touchdowns and led West Chester to a 35-27 win at Delaware in 1983. A member of the West Chester University Killinger Foundation Football Hall of Fame, Horrocks was the co-pilot of United Airlines Flight 175 that terrorists flew into the World Trade Center’s South Tower on September 11, 2001.

Capital Area Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame - 2018 Induction Banquet

September 11th Families Association - Michael Horrocks’ Induction into the Capital Area Chapter Sports Hall of Fame

Player News - Morrissey, Paulison Preseason All-Americans

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey and senior punter Brendan Paulison have both been named to the Street and Smith's Division II Preseason All-American Team. The Golden Rams were one of just three teams in the country with two players cited.

Last season, Morrisey was named first team All-PSAC East, first team All-ECAC, first team CCA All-Super Region 1, second team CCA All-American, second team AP All-American and honorable mention All-American by the Don Hansen Football Gazette. He was also named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, ECAC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. He finished the season with 137 tackles which was the most in the nation, including 14.0 tackles for loss (sixth in the PSAC), five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles (both in the playoffs).

Tyler Morrissey was involved in 137 tackles last season (Photo Ron Hockman)

After the 2017 campaign, Paulison was named first team ALL-PSAC East, first team CCA All-Super Region 1, first team All-ECAC, second team CCA All-American and honorable mention All-American by the Don Hansen Football Gazette. He averaged 44.1 yards per punt (third in the country), booming 17 of his 61 punts for more than 50 yards while dropping 23 of them inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The Golden Rams were second in the nation in net punting, as Paulison limited opponents to only 25 returns for 142 yards on the season.

Brendan Paulison is one of the top punters in the country (Photo Ron Hockman)

After finishing 9-4 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs, the Golden Rams are not ranked in Street and Smith's Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams that appear in the poll are #2 Indiana and #24 Edinboro. Other teams from Super Region 1 that appear on the list include #12 Shepherd of the Mountain East Conference, #17 Assumption of the Northeast-10, and #21 Findlay of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

West Chester opens the 2018 season at Bentley on August 30.

West Chester Athletic Site - Morrissey and Paulison Named Preseason All-America by Street & Smith Magazine

Team News - West Chester Claims 2017-18 Dixon Trophy

In recognition of having the top all around athletic program in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, West Chester University has been awarded the Dixon Trophy. West Chester was led by four conference championships in men's swimming, women's swimming, field hockey and lacrosse. The Golden Ram football team contributed 17 points to the school's score by virtue of their runner-up finish in the PSAC Championship game in November.

West Chester previously won the conference crown in 2015-16, 2014-15, and 2012-13. The school's overall average score of 13.75 is the highest since the scoring system was revised in 2012-13 its margin over second place is also the highest over that same time span.

Accepting the Dixon Trophy are Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. W. Craig Stevens, Men's Soccer Coach Michael Benn, Associate Athletic Director Kellianne Milliner, Director of Athletics Terry Beattie, President Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino, Women's Basketball Coach Kiera Wooden '03, '06, Tennis Coach Tina Tharp, and Volleyball Coach Kassie Bellaver.

PSAC Site - West Chester Wins 2017-18 Dixon Trophy

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Wins Its Fourth Dixon Trophy With Record-Setting Finish

Event News - PAC 10 Senior Bowl

A pair of future Golden Rams will be participating in the 5th Annual PAC-10 Senior Bowl football game to be held at 3:00 pm on June 3 at Upper Perkiomen High School.

Offensive lineman Jon Miller of Phoenixville and defensive back Kobey Baldwin of Pottsgrove will both suit up for the Independence Team which will be coached by Upper Perkiomen head coach Tom Hontz. Previous Golden Rams who played in the PAC-10 Senior Bowl include linebacker Justice Smith and receiver Khalif Sinclair.

Event News - Valor Bowl

A future Golden Ram will be participating in the 20th Annual Valor Bowl to be held at 7:15 pm on Thursday, May 31 at West Chester University's John A. Farrell Stadium. Suiting up for the West All-Stars will be defensive lineman Joe Janick of Downingtown East.

The Valor Bowl was founded by Scott Allison and former West Chester Golden Ram and Killinger Hall of Fame member Joe Carroll, and serves as Chester County's senior all-star game with all proceeds going to benefit the Chester County Special Olympics.

Several current West Chester University football players have participated in the Valor Bowl including Ben Smith, Quinten Cheyney, John George, Chris Day, and Cole Zapf. Other notable Valor Bowl alumni include 2001 North Offensive MVP Bob Findora who later led the Golden Rams to the 2004 Division II National semi-final and 2010 East Offensive MVP Rondell White who led the Golden Rams to the Division II National semi-final in 2013.

Event News - City All-Star Football Game

A future Golden Ram is scheduled to play in the 44th Philadelphia City All-Star Football Game to be held on Saturday May 19 at 5:00 pm at Northeast High School. Offensive lineman Terrence Williams of Neumann Goretti will play for the Non-Public squad.

Several former Golden Rams have participated in this contest including All-American wide receiver Michael Washington (2004), WCU MVP quarterback Mike Mattei (2008), All-American cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz (2010), wide receiver Erick Brundidge (2010), safety Kevin Malone (2012), cornerback Blaise Schieler (2012), and offensive lineman Vince Lostracco (2013). Current Golden Rams that played in the game include shark linebacker Nydair Rouse (2014), quarterback Paul Dooley (2015), wide receiver Mike Devlin (2016), defensive lineman Omar Peterkin (2016), and wide receiver Rasheem James (2016).

Event News - Bucks/Montco Lions All-Star Football Classic

Several Golden Rams will be participating in the Third Annual Bucks-Montco Lions All-Star Football Classic to be held on May 4 at 7:30 pm at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.

Defensive linemen Michael Gobora of Pennsbury and Noah Collachi of Central Bucks South along with offensive lineman Nika Wright of Pennsbury will suit up for the Bucks County team. Meanwhile, running back Sterlen Barr of Upper Moreland, linebacker Jackson Taylor of Abington, and linebacker Nick Chapman of Hatboro-Horsham will play for Montgomery County.

Current Golden Rams that have participated in this game include tight end Mike Alley and running back Nafeese Nasir.

The event is sponsored by the Bucks County Lions Club with the charitable funds raised by the game going to Lions Club charities.

Suburban One Sports - 2018 Bucks-Mont Lions Club All-Star Football Roster

UPDATE - Suburban One Sports - Bucks-Mont Lions Club All-Star Game a Winning Experience for Both Sides

UPDATE - PA Prep Live - Bucks holds off Montco to win Bucks-Montco Lions All-Star Classic

UPDATE - Bucks County Courier Times - Bucks all-star prevails over Montco in 3rd annual football classic

2018 Spring Game Report - Purple 28 - Gold 13

Some observations from Friday's Purple-Gold game which was won by Purple by a score of 28-13:

• Purple featured the first team offense while Gold was manned by the first team defense.
• A.J. Long (6 of 10, 92 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) started at quarterback, but both he and Paul Dooley (3 of 12, 88 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) played for Purple. Neither separated himself from the other, although Long did pick up 45 yards on the ground on six carries and completed a 23-yard pass to Rasheem James after a lengthy scramble.
• Right guard Frank Tranzilli was the only offensive lineman that also started last spring. This year, he was flanked by Jake Duncan at right tackle, Jack Mummert at center, Ben Smith at left guard, and Patrick Ferry at left tackle. Tyler Drob, who sat out last season with an injury, did not dress but figures to factor in once August rolls around.
• In the running game, both Mike Class (65 yards, 2 TD's) and Mark Dukes (53 yards) looked strong for Purple.
• Purple also had the three players that are expected to lead the receiving corps - Lex Rosario (3 catches, 91 yards, 2 TD's), Rasheem James (4 catches, 121 yards) and Dan Neuhaus (1 catch, 17 yards).
• While kicker Andrew Chegia converted all four PAT's for Purple, his 46-yard field goal attempt fell short and his 38-yard attempt slipped wide left.
• The Gold defense was led by Nate Barnes (10 tackles) who has moved from safety to linebacker, and Jarey Elder (seven tackles and a 32-yard interception return).
• Dashon Thomas flipped from the offensive line to the defensive line and registered two tackles for loss.
• The Gold offense was led by quarterback Mike Piperno (15 for 25, 212 yards, 2 TD's).
• The Gold offense struggled mightily with East Stroudsburg transfer James Bell managing just nine yards to lead the way. Bell did haul in four catches for 45 yards while Darnell Ferrell had 124 yards on eight receptions. Ethan Harris and Joe Kennedy each had touchdown catches.
• Purple defensive back Cole Zapf was all over the place in his first game experience for the Golden Rams and finished with ten tackles and 2.0 sacks.
• Also for Purple, Wyatt Smith and Ryan George registered sacks while Chico Day and Tez Young each had an interception.
• Almost all members of the 2018 recruiting class were present for introductions at halftime along with newly announced wide receiver Wes Verbit and defensive lineman William Voss.

Rasheem James hauls in a slant in front of Quintin Smith (Photo Ron Hockman)

Darnell Ferrell on one of his 8 catches (Photo Ron Hockman)

Omar Peterkin and Frank Tranzilli square off in the trenches (Photo Ron Hockman)

Ryan celebrates a touchdown during Audible for Autism (Photo Ron Hockman)

Patrick scores a touchdown during Audible for Autism (Photo Ron Hockman)

Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - Purple Tops Gold In Annual Spring Game, 28-13

Daily Local News - Field of Dreams: West Chester University football team gives autism kids a night to remember

Daily Local News - Photo Gallery

6abc.com- Kids living with Autism get to live out their dreams

Purple Zone Parents - Photo Album

Team News - 2018 Spring Game

The Golden Ram spring football game is scheduled for Friday, April 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm in John A. Farrell Stadium. The Spring Game will be the culmination of four weeks of practice and two scrimmages.

KYW Newsradio - Spring football update: West Chester Golden Rams