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THE GAME
The Bald Eagles return for some home cooking after a two-game road stretch
that saw them garner their second win of the year in exciting fashion over
Mansfield University. It will be Lock Haven University’s Homecoming game,
with special attractions and promotions for alumni, students and other LHU
fans.Miller Brothers Auto Sales will again be
sponsoring the $10,000 Nerf Football Toss at halftime. Entry forms can be
filled out for free at the local auto dealer through Friday.
THE SERIES
Clarion holds a commanding 38-14-1 advantage over the Bald Eagles in a series
dating back to 1928 when the Bald Eagles won a hard-fought defensive battle,
to the tune of 12-0. Clarion has dominated the series as of late, winning the
last five contests, as well as 10 of the last 12, including a 22-9 victory at
Memorial Stadium in Clarion, Pa. a year ago.
First Meeting
1928, LHU 12, Clarion 0
The Last Time Clarion Won
2003; 22-9
The Last Time LHU Won
1998; 35-28
The Last Time LHU Won at Hubert Jack Stadium
1998; 35-28
The Last Time Clarion Won at Hubert Jack Stadium
2002; 34-31
THE LAST TIME VERSUS THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Clarion University scored twice in the game’s final five minutes to break
open the game and insure the 22-9 victory over the Bald Eagles.
Deep into the fourth quarter with the score locked at 9-9,
Clarion gained the ball at its own 16-yard line after a Haven turnover on
downs. The Golden Eagles drove the length of the field with the possession
culminating in a one-yard rush for touchdown by Marcus Lowe with 4:59
remaining to move into a 16-9 lead.
Lock Haven received several chances to match the Golden Eagles, but turnovers
cost the Bald Eagles as two interceptions and a fumble each gave Clarion the
ball back in Haven territory.
Clarion linebacker Jabari
Weatherspoon’s second interception of the fourth quarter gave the Golden
Eagles prime field position at the Haven’s 17-yard line at 1:21. Four plays
later, quarterback Felton Woulard took the ball himself around to the right
side and dove into the endzone to score on the eight-yard keeper. The Haven’s
Matt Shealy (New Bethlehem/Redbank Valley) blocked the extra point
attempt, bringing the final score to 22-9.
Early in the first quarter, Clarion noseguard Troy Bowers
intercepted Troy Wile (Fayetteville/Chambersburg), returning the ball
22 yards into the endzone at 13:14 . The extra point attempt failed, keeping
the Clarion lead at 6-0.
Lock Haven tied the game at 8:30 in the second quarter on a
one-yard rush by Maurice Walker (N. Braddock/Woodland Hills). The Bald
Eagles had taken the ball from their own 22-yard line, moving forward on a
Clarion penalty and then a 53-yard aerial connection from Wile to Rafael
Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) that brought that ball up to within one
yard of paydirt.
Clarion kicker Mark Hofmeister gave the home team the 9-6
lead at 7:14 in the third quarter with a 31-yard boot.
Haven linebacker Dan Jones
(Philipsburg/Philipsburg-Osceola) recovered a Golden Eagle fumble at the
Clarion 23-yard line in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. After
three plays gained only minimal yardage, the Bald Eagles opted for the field
goal at 13:48. Freshman kicker Danny Hagerman (Scottdale/Southmoreland)
split the uprights for his eighth field goal of the season, this one from 31
yards out to tie the game at 9-9 before the Clarion scoring outburst at the
end of the quarter.
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Sophomore defensive
end Brad Sones |
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THE COACHES |
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Lock Haven Head Coach Mark
Luther (Penn State, ‘92) is in his fifth season with the Bald
Eagle program. The 2002 PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year,
Luther continues to create a more competitive product with his
teams challenging the top conference and regional programs on a
regular basis. |
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Bald Eagles’ wins included one over Bloomsburg University, the
2003 runner-up and 2004 pre-season favorite in the Eastern
Division. He currently owns a 14-34 overall mark at Lock Haven.
Luther assumed the head role at LHU following five years as an
assistant with the Bald Eagles from 1994-1998, acting as defensive
coordinator, recruiting coordinator and administrative assistant
to former head coach Nick Polk. |
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Malen Luke, 51, an experienced and highly successful head
football coach, was named Clarion's 10th head coach on December 28, 1993 and
is in his 11th season at Clarion. In ten years, Luke's Golden Eagles have
posted a 51-58 overall record, a 27-33 PSAC-West mark and have averaged
nearly 30 ppg. and 400+ yards of offense over that time.
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Luke’s top seasons came in 2000 and 1996. In 2000 Clarion was
7-4 overall and became PSAC-West champs for the 10th time since 1966 with a
5-1 league mark. Luke was rewarded by being named the PSAC-West “Coach of
the Year” by his peers. In 1996 Luke led the Golden Eagles to an 11-3
overall record and a 5-1 mark in the PSAC-West. |
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The Haven netted 305 yards of total offense, with 257 of those
yards covered through the air. Wile completed 18 of 39 pass attempts and
covered 42 yards rushing. Three Haven receivers recorded four or more
catches, senior receiver Scott Anderson (Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview)
leading the way with six receptions for 87 yards. Walker scored LHU’s only
touchdown of the game, going 14 yards on 12 carries. On the other side of the
ball, strong safety Shealy led all defenders with 12 tackles, including one
fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Cornerback Rob Carey, linebacker
Derrik Metz and lineman Dustin Shaffer (Mayport/Redbank Valley)
all added eight stops.
SCOUTING CLARION
The Golden Eagles, now 3-4 overall, limp into Hubert Jack Stadium in the
midst of a two-game losing streak. Clarion most recently dropped a 38-21
decision to East Stroudsburg University on Oct. 9.
Clarion had upset fever against East Stroudsburg, the No. 1 team in the
Northeast Region, and saw their score knotted at 24-24 midway through the
fourth quarter. ESU’s Derek Lucas then broke a 27-yard touchdown run, giving
the Warriors the momentum to carry the 38-21 victory.
Quarterback Brandon Dando was a double threat, throwing for
160 yards and running for two scores. Tailback Marcus Lowe added 119 yards on
the ground and a 71-yard touchdown scamper.
On the season, Lowe averages 85.4 rushing yards per game, good for seventh in
the PSAC. Dando helps balance the offense with 131.7 yards per game, an
eighth-place ranking.
The Golden Eagles have a potent special-teams attack,
featuring returners Dawon Woodard and Pierre Odom. Look for these two to give
great field position, as Woodard ranks first in the PSAC in punt returns
(13.1 ypr.) and Odom ranks second in kickoff returns (23.1 ypr.).
Powering the Clarion defense are free safety Bo Busch
(74TT), linebacker Matt Morris (8 TFL) and defensive end Ben Heisel (11 TFL).
The Golden Eagles have made it a habit of getting in the offensive backfield
and have made 62 team tackles for loss in comparison to LHU’s 24.
BALD EAGLE NOTES...
THE OFFENSE
The LHU offense took a step backward against No. 19 Shippensburg University
Oct. 9. Just a week after getting their second-largest output of the season
against Mansfield University (485 yards) the Bald Eagle offense managed just
126 total yards against the Red Raiders. Maurice Walker, third
all-time on the school's rushing list, ran for one yard on twenty carries and
Tim Storino (Pittsburgh/Bethel Park) threw for 49 yards with four
interceptions.
In the starting backfield is Walker (142 car., 563 yds., 4
TD), who is just 49 carries out of first place in LHU's career record books.
Joining Walker is fullback Travis Diehl (Williamsport/Williamsport)
who has three carries for 11 yards in limited duty.
At the wideouts are sophomore Rafael Smith (24 rec.
320 yds.) who ranks tenth in school history with 10 receiveing touchdowns in
just two years. Holding the other wide-receiver spot is freshman Adam
Lawrence (Hanover/Delone Catholic) who has nine receptions for 132 yards
and one touchdown.
Usual suspects appear on the starting line including junior
center Jason Scott (Linden/Williamsport) along with guards Steve
Szobocsan (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) and Adam Lanzendorfer
(Martinsburg/Central). Eric Scaife (Philipsburg/Philipsburg-Osceola)
and Matt Coxford (Middlebury Center/Wellsboro) claim the pair of
offensive tackle positions. Jason Walther
(Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) is the probable starter at tight end and has
hauled in five passes for 53 yards.
THE DEFENSE
Strong safety David Show (Mill Run/Connellsville Area) is always ready
to deliver the big hit, as he ranks first on the team with 55 tackles.
Joining Show will be Corey Gildea (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg) at
free safety (17 TT, 10 solo). On the corners will be Michael Nesby
(Rankin/Woodland Hills) (25 TT, 2 INT) and Sheldon Gray
(Norristown/Norristown) (24 TT, 20 solo).
The linebacking corps are headed by Jon Nalewak
(Shamokin/Shamokin Area). The 6-3, 220-pound backer has 49 total tackles with
29 solo stops. At the other linebacker spots are Michael Slatcoff
(Sandy Lake/Cochranton) (39 TT, 2.5 TFL) and Derek Harsch
(Wellsboro/Wellsboro Area) (23 TT, 1.5 TFL).
The defensive ends shape up as Brad Sones
(Elysburg/Southern Columbia) who leads the team with five tackles for loss
and one sack (28 TT, 14 solo) and Ryan Bickel (Morrisdale/West Branch
Area) (26 TT, 2 TFL). The rest of the line will include Warren Whitaker
(Wilkes-Barre/GAR Memorial) (15 TT, 2 TFL) and Jarrod Hendricks
(Rockton/DuBois Area) (8 TT, 6 solo).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kick-coverage teams will need to step it up this week, as the square off
with the No.1 punt returner and No. 2 kickoff returner in the PSAC.
In just two years, sophomore Dan Hagerman has become
one of the top kickers in LHU history. He has 12 field goals in his two-year
career, good for fifth in the school record books. Hagerman is a perfect
12-for-12 on extra-point kicks and averages 35.5 yards per punt including
dropping eight of his 43 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Maurice Walker and Michael
Nesby are slated for kickoff returns, averaging 22.1 and 19.0,
respectively. Rafael Smith handles punts and is currently averaging
7.7 yards per return, good for second in the PSAC.
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