(August 29, 2007)

Eight teams from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference begin the 2007 football this Saturday while Slippery Rock kicks off the week with a Thursday night contest as The Rock hosts Seton Hill. 

Among the scheduled Saturday contests, the lone head-to-head PSAC game features 17th-ranked West Chester at Edinboro (1 p.m.).  Another highly anticipated match-up pits regional foes C.W. Post at Bloomsburg (12 noon) while Kutztown hosts the Northeast-10 Conference preseason favorite in Southern Connecticut St (1 p.m.).

Shippensburg will be the second PSAC team in as many weeks to take on Shepherd (1 p.m.), the preseason favorite from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  Meanwhile, Lock Haven travels out of the state and out of Division II to take on I-AA Virginia Military Institute.

Other games include Glenville St. at California (5 p.m.), Tiffin at Clarion (6 p.m.) and a Sunday contest featuring Cheyney vs Central St. (5 p.m).

On the national scene, three PSAC teams rank in the top 25 of both the AFCA and D2Football.com polls.

Following is a preview of this weekend's action:

Thursday, September 30

Seton Hill (0-0, 0-0 WVIAC) at
Slippery Rock (0-0, 0-0 West) - 7 p.m.

Series notes: This will be the first meeting between the two squads.  Seton Hill's program is in just its third year of varsity competition, compiling an overall record of 3-18 during the past two seasons.

The bottom line: Seton Hill returns all 11 offensive starters while nine return to the defense.  A second-team All-WVIAC selection in 2006, running back Antwarn Jones headlines the offense.  He went over the 100-yard mark six times last season, finishing with 902 yards on 204 carries.  Quarterback Garyn Ehrlich played in 11 games, completing 73 of 169 passes for 820 yards.  Defensively, the linebacker duo of Mark Hartz and Rob Ellis led the team in tackles with 89 and 85, respectively.  For Slippery Rock, it showcases a great balance between offense and defense with several All-PSAC West selections dotting the roster.  Offensively, tackle Mike Butterworth is one of four returning linemen who will provide protection for quarterback Nate Crookshank, who enters his fourth year as a starter.    Defensively, The Rock has tackle Cory Lacek and Jared Palmer to spearhead the league's third-best defense in 2006.  Lacek is an All-PSAC West First Team selection and has ranked in the top five nationally in tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons.  Palmer led the team with 87 tackles.
 

Saturday, September 1

Shippensburg (0-0, 0-0 West) at
Shepherd (1-0, 0-0 WVIAC) - 1 p.m.
- CSTV to Broadcast via Broadband - http://www.cstv.com/ncaa/divii/

Series notes: In the last nine games between the squads, Shepherd holds a slight 5-4 advantage, including two straight after last year's 14-0 shutout of the Red Raiders.

The bottom line: Shippensburg starts its season on the road at Shepherd against a stingy Rams defense that allowed just 88 points total through 12 contests in 2006 and held their first eight opponents to a touchdown or less.  The road game is the first of seven total for the Red Raiders, including next week's match-up at I-AA Liberty and ending with two straight against IUP and California to close out the regular season.  Shippensburg quarterback Gabe Maiocco will get the nod as starter with four of five offensive linemen returning to ease his transition.  Three of the Red Raiders leading rushers return, led by fullback Aaron Dykes (139-514, 6 TDs).  Defensively, Shippensburg is traditionally strong but has some holes to fill on the defensive line and the secondary.  The linebacker corps will anchor the defense, led by Jaron Nalewak and Bill Morrison.  Shepherd is coming off a 36-7 defeat of Millersville in both teams' season openers.  Senior running back Dervon Wallace paced the Rams with 195 yards on 24 carries, scoring two touchdowns.  Junior quarterback Tyler Lazear posted 104 yards on 12 of 17 pass attempts.  Shepherd is ranked in both the top 10 of the AFCA and D2Football.com polls.

C.W. Post (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at
Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 East) - 12 noon

Series notes: Bloomsburg and C.W. Post will square off for the first time, but   face each other regularly beginning in 2008-09 as the Pioneers are slated to become associate members of the PSAC in football and field hockey.

The bottom line: Co-champions of the Northeast-10 last season, C.W. Post seeks its sixth conference title in the last seven years.  The Pioneers are led by junior quarterback Nick Georgetti (1,461 yds, 11 TDs), who is in his second year as a starter.   Running backs Josh Amaro (4.7 ypc, 503 yds) and Anthony Lazarus (98-421, 8 TDs) split time in the backfield and both were plagued by injuries last season.  Defensively, C.W. Post allowed 228.5 yards per contest, the fourth-best mark in the nation.  All-America Maurice Baker (16.5 TFL, 12.0 Sks, 4 FF) headlines the returners after finishing in the top 20 nationally in sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for loss per contest.  Bloomsburg will rely on a talented group of five offensive returners while its defense boasts seven.  Sophomore signal-caller Dan Latorre (144-239, 2,398 yds, 20 TDs) and wide receiver Brihan Bilal (54-1,183, 14 TDs) are a dynamic duo complimented by a pair of standout running backs in Jamar Brittingham (213-1,003, 12 TDs) and Josh Heck (126-686, 3 TDs).  Linebacker Rob Biernat led the team in tackles in each of the past two seasons while defensive back Marcus Waddy earned second-team All-PSAC East honors last season.

West Chester (0-0, 0-0 East) at
Edinboro (0-0, 0-0 West) - 1 p.m.

Series notes: West Chester leads the series with a 4-3 advantage.  Last season, Edinboro was held to just a field goal in the opening half but erupted for 25 points and held the Golden Rams to a touchdown in the second half for a 28-14 victory.

The bottom line: West Chester looks to avenge an early season loss to Edinboro from a year ago as the Golden Rams hope to make it four consecutive years with a postseason appearance.  West Chester boasts the league's third-ranked offense (405.1 ypg), including the second-best ground game (196.3 ypg), while Edinboro has traditionally been strong defensively (261.1 ypg - 1st PSAC), especially against the run (70.5 ypg - 1st PSAC).  Both teams feature a strong quarterback and both have plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball.  Senior Bill Zwaan (2,100 yds, 22 TDs) calls the signals for West Chester while sophomore Trevor Harris (192-313, 2,547 yds, 20 TDs) is under center for the Fighting Scots.  Also an offensive threat for West Chester are running back Osagie Osunde (89-522, 6 TDs) and wide receiver Mike Washington (55-1,170 yds, 16 TDs).  For Edinboro's defense, the Fighting Scots have produced the last three Western Division Defensive Player of the Year honors and have another likely candidate again in senior defensive tackle Chris Amico (61 TT, 15 TFL, 4.5 Sks).

Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 East) at
So. Conn. St. (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) - 1 p.m.

Series notes: This is the sixth meeting between the two teams as So. Conn. St. leads the series 3-2.  Last time out, So. Conn. St. defeated the Golden Bears 31-28 in 2005.  Kutztown's last win over So. Conn. St. came in 1993 by a score of 24-14.

The bottom line: Second-year head coach Ray Monica looks to improve upon last year’s 4-6 record as 18 starters return.  The Golden Bears feature nine defensive returnees while the offense will look to senior quarterback Kyle Spotts (156-271, 2,155 yds, 20 TDs) to lead a young group.  Also providing leadership on offense will be seniors Maurice Adams and Elfren Quiles.  Adams (131-432) has been the team’s leading rusher in each of his three seasons as a starter and is a threat as a return specialist.  Quiles (54-816, 12 TDs) had a breakout season at wide receiver a year ago.  Defensively, safety Brian Bingnear will once again spearhead a Kutztown defense that finished fourth in the conference in passing defense (166.4 ypg).  Bingnear led the Golden Bears with 90 tackles and posted four interceptions.  For Southern Connecticut St., the Owls are the preseason favorite in the Northeast-10 Conference after posting a 7-2 record in league play, 7-4 overall, and advanced to the NCAA II playoffs.    So. Conn. St. is led by junior quarterback Steve Armstrong and senior running back Brandon Toles.  Armstrong completed 159 of 268 passes for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns while Toles collected 1,972 yards on the ground for 16 touchdowns.  Tyron Marshall returns as the team's leader at wide receiver, posting 36 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns.  Defensively, linebacker Rossi Patterson anchors the unit.  He was the team's fourth-leading tackler a year ago, posting 44 stops, including five tackles for loss, and four interceptions.

Glenville St (1-0, 0-0 WVIAC) at
California (1-0, 0-0 West) - 5 p.m.

Series notes: Glenville St. leads the series with a 4-1 advantage.  The two squads last faced each other in 1999, with Glenville St. taking a 35-28 overtime decision.  California won the first meeting, posting a 28-0 victory in 1923.

The bottom line: Glenville St. has finished in second place or in a tie for second place at the conclusion of each of the past four WVIAC seasons.  Its offense lost five starters, including quarterback Mike Williams and his three of his favorite targets. Jared Dearing is a threat to both run the ball (107-386) receive (24-210).  Defensively, Glenville St. boasts eight returning starters, led by senior linebackers Jacob Lilly (87 TT) and Jacquez Taylor (81 TT).  California is playing its second game in six days after defeating East Stroudsburg, 26-3, in its season opener on Monday.  With an offense that struggled to get going (244 yds total offense), the Vulcans relied on a powerful defensive unit that limited East Stroudsburg to just 48 yards total offense, recorded nine sacks and forced three turnovers.  Brian Mohr and Josh Zunic each recorded 11 tackles while Darren Burns added four sacks.  Quarterback Joe Ruggiero completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.  Running back Brandon Lombardy led the ground game with 24 carries for 95 yards and a score.

Tiffin (1-0, 0-0 GLFC) at
Clarion (0-0, 0-0 West) - 6 p.m.

Series notes: Clarion is 2-1 against Tiffin, including last year's season-opening loss to the Dragons, 21-13. 

The bottom line: Clarion hopes to rebound from a 1-10 season last year.  The Golden Eagles feature nine starters on offense while the defensive unit returns six starters.  Quarterback Tyler (59-154, 755 yds) should benefit from an experienced offensive line that features seniors Mike O'Brien and Mike Melampy.  Junior tailback Eddie Emmanuel (204-967) is an All-PSAC First Team selection.  Defensively, All-America tackle Jimmy Simmons (70 TT, 27 TFL) will anchor a solid group of upperclassmen.  For Tiffin, the Golden Dragons return 17 of 22 starters that went 10-1 last season.  The quarterback duties will once again be split between senior Donnie Johnson and junior Matt Roof.  The two have a trio of favorite targets led by Dyshaun Edwards (25-292).  In addition, all five offensive linemen return.  GLFC Defensive Lineman of the Year, Luke Seal, will spearhead the defensive unit along with GLFC Defensive Back of the Year Troy Brookins.

Lock Haven (0-0, 0-0 West) at
I-AA Virginia Military Institute (0-0, 0-0 Big South) - 1 p.m.

Series notes: This the first meeting between the teams.

The bottom line: Lock Haven opens its season for the second-consecutive year against a I-AA opponent in Virginia Military Institute.  It will also square off against I-AA powerhouse Youngstown St. in the fourth game of the season.  The Bald Eagles dropped a 49-0 contest against So. Illinois in last season’s opener.   Lock Haven features a very young squad as nine of 17 returning starters are underclassmen, including quarterback Ilio DiPaolo and the entire defensive secondary.  DiPaolo (141-275, 9 TDs) will have two experienced receivers in seniors Chris Hawkins and Corey Ciciloni.  Hawkins will also see action at running back and return specialist.  For VMI, one of two sophomores will be named the starting quarterback as Joey Robinson and Kyle Hughes battle to start under center.  The Keydets running game also will look for a new face after the departure of 2006 Big South rushing champion and four-year starter Sean Mizzer.  On defense, VMI returns seven starters led by the linebacker duo of Patrick Kinney and Jacob Rochester.  VMI also has an experienced backfield featuring three returns and eight letterwinners from a year ago.