Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The #17 Golden Rams (9-1) will seek their first playoff bid since 2008 when they take on the Clarion Golden Eagles (4-6) this Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon at Farrell Stadium.

West Chester is currently ranked fourth in the region and the top six teams (for the most part) are invited to the NCAA playoffs. No one-loss team from Super Region 1 has failed to qualify for the playoffs since they expanded to their current format in 2004, but this season there are currently five teams with just one loss along with undefeated Shepherd. Two of those one-loss teams will absorb their second defeat on Saturday as Slippery Rock (9-1) plays Bloomsburg (9-1) and Virginia St (9-1) plays Winston-Salem St (8-1). But one of the NE10 teams already with two losses will almost surely make the playoffs as Stonehill (8-2) takes on American International (8-2). But the Golden Rams can only control what's in front of them and on Saturday, that's Clarion.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series with the Golden Eagles 19-3. Despite being in the other division of the PSAC, West Chester head coach Bill Zwaan has already faced Clarion six times in his ten years at the helm and is perfect against them, winning those six contests by an average score of 38-17. Clarion's last two wins in the series happened away from Farrell Stadium in 2000 and 2002.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1999	Home	Win	62-20	2004	Away	Win	20-17
2000	Away	Loss	28-21	2005	Home	Win	43-14
2001	Home	Win	16-14	2006	Away	Win	49-21
2002	Away	Loss	34-28	2007	Home	Win	49-21
2003	Home	Win	35-17	2012	Away	Win	33-12

Last Meeting:

11/10/2012 West Chester 33 - Clarion 12

In the final game of the season last year, the Golden Rams led 26-0 midway through the fourth quarter on their way to the victory in Clarion. It was a true character win for West Chester - at 6-4 with no chance for the postseason, plus a long bus ride to Clarion, the team could have easily packed it in early. Instead, the Golden Rams used all the tools at their disposal - 227 rushing yards from Rondell White, four field goals from Shawn Leo and two sacks from Andrew Cohen to completely control the game. Although West Chester only outgained Clarion 450-348, the Golden Eagles amassed 156 yards of offense in the final seven minutes of the game.

Scouting the Opponent:

When Clarion lost All-PSAC quarterback Ben Fiscus to a season-ending injury in the second game of the year, the emphasis of the Golden Eagle offense swung drastically from the air to the ground. Bobby Thomas (156 carries, 663 yards, 6 TD's) and Travis Day (62 carries, 273 yards, 4 TD's) are the leading running backs. R-Fr. quarterback Darelle Carson (142 carries, 535 yards, 6 TD's) is more dangerous with his legs than his arm (81-179, 1,084 yards, 5 TD's, 7 interceptions). When Carson does throw, he'll look for Mark Nicholas (15 catches, 280 yards, 3 TD's all in the first five games of the season), tight end Mike Deitrick (23 catches, 223 yards, 2 TD's), Caleb Mancini (12 catches, 186 yards) and Matt Lehman (12 catches, 154 yards, 1 TD). Up front they're led by All-PSAC tackle Mike Felker.

Punter Nathan Conway is third in the PSAC with a 42.5 yard average and has landed 18 of his 51 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line. Kicker Phil Esposito is only 5 of 16 on field goal attempts, but perfect on all 25 PAT's. Day handles most of the kickoff and punt return duties. Notable on special teams is the fact that Clarion has blocked eight kicks (fourth in the NCAA) and four punts (seventh in the NCAA).

The Clarion defense is anchored by All-PSAC defensive end Julian Howsare (76 tackles, 15.1 tackles TFL's, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 4 blocked kicks). Alongside him on the defensive line is Andrew Fragale (35 tackles, 9 TFL's, 2 forced fumbles). Their leading tackler is cornerback Cory McNamara (81 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 interception, 12 pass breakups) who is aided in the secondary by Adam Lynch (28 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups). The two linebackers in their 4-2-5 alignment are Kyle McWreath (57 tackles, 4 TFL's) and Rocco Yauger (53 tackles, 1 interception).

Analysis:

This will be another tough test for the Golden Ram offensive line as Clarion is fourth in the PSAC in sacks. If the line can manage to hold their blocks, especially against Howsare, the offense should be able to move the ball effectively both on the ground and through the air. Offensively Clarion doesn't pose much of a passing threat as they're only better than Cheyney in the PSAC in that department. However, containing a mobile quarterback such as Carson isn't one of West Chester's strong suits. On special teams, the Golden Rams have been hurt this season covering returns, but Saturday the pressure will be at the point of the kick, not the return. Will the spread punt formation hold up against Clarion's rush?

Clarion isn't shy about going for it on fourth down and they lead the PSAC with 13 conversions in 20 attempts (65%). And they're the second least penalized team in the conference. Is that the result of clean play or a lack of assertiveness?

Notes:

Saturday will mark senior day at West Chester when before the game, all senior members of the marching band, cheerleading squad and football team and training staff will be recognized...West Chester football is teaming up with WCU’s Catholic Newman Student Association to "Help Hungry Neighbors Have a Happy Thanksgiving" by supporting St. Agnes Day Room and Project ONE. Fans attending the game are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the game to help Chester County families in need...Rondell White is 12 carries, 46 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and four overall touchdowns away from setting West Chester single season records in each of those categories. He's also 159 yards on the ground from setting the school career record in rushing.