3.4.10 / Opinion
Many people will not understand what kind of question this is. They will mostly likely say the players on the court decide the game.
This is not always the case. Sure, in many cases they do, but don’t count out the fans and officials. More »
3.4.10 / Sports
The last time the Clarion men’s basketball team won a home playoff game was in 1997, until now. More »
2.25.10 / Sports
Clarion clinched its 12th PSAC-West playoff spot in 14 years with their 103-98 win over Slippery Rock this past Saturday. More »
2.18.10 / Sports
This past Saturday, Clarion fell to Gannon University in overtime, 66-65. Or did they? Gannon University’s George Johnson made the game winning shot in overtime. More »
2.11.10 / Sports
The Clarion men’s basketball team was set to face the number six ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks (18-2, 7-1) Saturday night in a first place showdown in the PSAC West.
However, due to the snow storm in the area, the game was postponed until Sunday afternoon.
“The extra day gave us a chance to make sure we had our game plan together and an extra day of practice,” Jamar Harrison said.
The change in schedule did not affect the 1,100 fans that came out to cheer on their Golden Eagles in a 71-62 win, to come to a first-place tie with IUP. More »
2.10.10 / Features
After hearing about the earthquake in Haiti, a Southwestern Pennsylvania photographer decided to travel to the country.
Evan Sander, a photographer for The Daily Courier in Connellsville Pa., made the trip to learn more about the earthquake and the effects firsthand. More »
2.4.10 / Sports
Clarion guard Lloyd Harrison makes a move past an Edinboro defender in Saturday’s game at Tippin Gym. The Eagles won the contest in a score of 82-64. (Caitlin McGill / The Clarion Call)
For the first time since the 2003 season, the Clarion Golden Eagles have started 5-1 in the PSAC-West conference. This past Saturday, the Golden Eagles made easy work of Edinboro (8-11, 2-4), with a convincing 82-64 win. More »
12.10.09 / Sports
The last time the Golden Eagles started a season 3-1 was in the start of the 2004-2005 season.
That season they started 4-1 on their way to a PSAC West title. For their second consecutive home game, Clarion reached the century mark in points by defeating Penn College (3-5) 110-48.
Clarion got off to a quick start as they were able to control the paint, with their first 16 points of the game coming from lay ups.
“We have so many unselfish players on the team and we all pretty much know each others strengths,” said sophomore forward Paul McQueen.
“So we recognized we had mismatches in the paint so it was a point of emphasis,” McQueen said.
The Wildcats of Penn College kept it close for the first nine minutes of the game before the Golden Eagles opened the game wide open.
At the 11 minute mark, Clarion used a 23-2 run, showcased by a two handed reverse dunk by Jamar Harrison, to ignite the home crowd.
The Wildcats would add a last second dunk of their own before the half to make the score 55-27 at the half.
After only scoring three points in the first three minutes of the second half, on a Mike Sherry three pointer, the offense found its groove again.
During the course of the second half, the Golden Eagles would use another huge run, this time a 30-5 run, to put the game well out of reach.
With 12:20 remaining in the half, freshman guard Brandyn Mungo drove the lane finishing off with a one handed dunk.
This seemed to get both the crowd and his teammates wanting some highlight real dunks.
Mungo would add another spectacular dunk, flying high to be on the receiving end of an alley oop from teammate Harrison.
The game almost turned into a dunk contest between Mungo and Harrison.
Trying to match Mungo, Harrison was on the receiving end of his own alley oop, this time from Lloyd Harrison.
To cap of the night, Harrison would add one more two handed dunk.
Clarion had six players in double figures on the night, including Shameel Carty’s first career double- double with 14 points and 18 rebounds.
McQueen led the scoring with a career high 23 points.
“We have great perimeter players so they could not just focus on me or any other post player,” said McQueen.
Junior college transfer Harrison recorded his third 20 point game of the season, while fellow transfer Lloyd Harrison, chipped in with 12 points.
“We are going to need both Jamar and Lloyd to play a lot of minutes for us this season. They need to pace themselves and play smart aggressive defense, the offense will take care of itself,” said Coach Ron Righter.
Junior sharpshooter Mike Sherry continued his hot hand beyond the arc, going 4 for 7 from the three point line, with 16 points. Also, freshman guard Mungo added 13 points.
Clarion was back in action on Monday night against Pitt Johnstown. The Golden Eagles trailed throughout the whole game before the Golden Eagles ended up losing the game 94-79.
“We are still trying to find ourselves. We have a very small team so we need our defense to create some offense,” said Coach Righter.
Carty had another strong performance in the losing effort, putting up 20 points.
Clarion will be back in action this weekend at the Salem Invitational in West Virginia.
They will be playing Friday and on Saturday.
11.19.09 / Sports
The Clarion men’s basketball team opened its season on Tuesday night against PSU-New Kensington. Clarion played an overall complete game, winning by a score 124-50. More »
11.12.09 / Sports
Clarion finished its regular season with a win this past Saturday over Cheyney University, who was winless on the year. More »
11.5.09 / Sports
Second place was on the line as the Clarion Golden Eagles traveled to Edinboro to face the No. 21 ranked Fighting Scots.
That was not the only thing on the line in this game. More »
10.29.09 / Sports
The Golden Eagles offense attempts to score, as No. 40, John Fuhrer looks to block, as Tyler Huether hands off the ball to No. 80 Tarrean Barrett. (Justin Gmoser/The Clarion Call)
Clarion won its fourth consecutive game this past Saturday against IUP. It was their second straight game where they had to come from behind in the second half to pull out the win.
Right now, it seems like no one can stand in the way of its goal, to become Champions of the PSAC West.
“We need to control what we can control. If we win this Saturday against Edinboro, and get some help from Mercyhurst against California; we are in real good shape. Two weeks is eternal in college football, but we just have to take things week by week and hope for the best,” said Coach Jay Foster.
Well they got another step closer with their win this past weekend.
The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start as they went down the field using a good mix of run and pass, for the touchdown.
From 11 yards out it was John Fuhrer taking it in for the score making it 7-0. After both teams were forced to punt on their next possession, the IUP special teams came up with a huge play.
They were set up with a short field to work with after they were able to break through and block the Clarion punt.
IUP took advantage of this opportunity, tying the score at 7-7 with a rushing touchdown by Tobias Robinson.
It seems like this might have given the Crimson Hawks all the momentum they needed as they outscored the Golden Eagles 14-10 for the rest of the first half to take a 21-17 lead.
It was a last minute touchdown run by star running back Alfonso Hoggard to narrow that deficit.
Clarion came out strong in the second half. After IUP charged down the field only to miss a field goal, the Golden Eagles knew this was an opportunity they couldn’t let slip by. The offensive line would lead the way for Hoggard as he took Clarion down the field, before quarterback Tyler Huether capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.
After taking the lead, the defense for Clarion came up with a momentum swinging stop.
With the ball back, Hoggard and the Clarion offense were back ready to finish this game off.
The whole drive belonged to Hoggard as he picked up all 57 yards for his second touchdown of the day and a 30-21 lead after placekicker Rob Mamula’s extra point was blocked.
With a two-point lead, the Clarion defense came up with the game-winning stop for the second week in a row.
“They have been playing good all game. They are playing with a lot of confidence and knew that they were going to shut the opponent down,” Coach Foster said.
Clarion went on to win the game 30-28.
Hoggard once again had an outstanding game with 292 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Also, it was nice for the seniors to go out with a win in their last home game.
“It feels great after that game, I was speechless. That showed all the work that myself and the three other seniors have put in the past few years. Everything finally paid off, and it was great to go out as winners on our last home game.
“We stuck through it when we were at the lowest that we could possibly be, and I’m just happy I was here, and am able to say that I was part of the turn around to get Clarion football back on the map,” said Huether.
The Golden Eagles will go on the road for the last conference game against Edinboro this Saturday. To this point, this will be their most important game of the year.
“Well, we need to jump on them right from the start and not wait until the second half. We have been stopping ourselves lately with all the penalties, so I believe if we could keep the penalties to a minimum then we will be all right.
“Basically we need to be able to run the football successfully, cut out the penalties, and score one more point than them.
“This is a playoff game for us so everyone knows how big this game is and what we have to do,” said Hoggard.
Kickoff this Saturday at Edinboro is scheduled for 1 p.m.
10.22.09 / Sports
The Clarion Golden Eagles make a feild goal attempt, after sophomore Ray Klinger, No. 91, snaps the ball in Saturday’s game against Mercyhurst. (Neal Henry / The Clarion Call)
With sole possession of second place in the PSAC West on the line, the Golden Eagles hosted the Lakers of Mercyhurst University this past Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Going into the game, Mercyhurst knew they couldn’t look at this as an easy game, as they did in the previous years.
On a cold and rainy day, it was starting to look like Clarion was not ready for the Lakers’ offense. More »
10.15.09 / Misc.
Clarion traveled to Slippery Rock University last Thursday, coming away with a 27-10 win. The Golden Eagles improved their overall record to 4-3 and 3-1 in the PSAC West.
“This has been a complete turnaround from last year. We have the same players as the previous years, but the difference is the maturity and drive each one has. The game that turned this season around is when we were at California. That game showed me we can compete with any team,” stated Coach Jay Foster.
The team has been training hard since the off-season to get to the point where they are today, especially in the weight room.
Coming into last Thursday’s game, Slippery Rock was ranked No. 4 in the region.
Before the game Coach Foster got a good vibe from his football team. “On the way down to the game I could see how much confidence and trust they had in the each other. They knew they were going to win the game.”
Even with that mind-set, the team still had to go out and play a complete game to earn the win.
There was some sloppy play throughout the first half of play.
There were a couple dropped passes but the Golden Eagles still held on to keep it a close game. With the score 10-7 Slippery Rock, and 2:46 left in the half, Clarion started driving down the field.
The Golden Eagles were led by quarterback Tyler Huether and running-back Alfonso Hoggard. With one second left, placekicker Rob Mamula connected on a 36-yard field goal to tie the score at half.
Clarion came out of the half ready to make a statement. On the first possession the defense forced a three and out.
“To me, I believe this was the turning point of the game,” stated Coach Foster.
The difference maker came though on the next possession when freshmen cornerback Daily Whitten, intercepted his second pass of the day, and returned it 41 yards for the touchdown.
“I knew they would try to go deep with the height advantage their receivers had on us, but I was able to read the quarterbacks eyes and step in front to return it all the way,” replied Whitten.
With the lead intact, the Golden Eagles rushing tried to put the game away.
It wouldn’t take long for Hoggard to find the end zone.
On just two plays, Hoggard scored a touchdown, including a school record 84 yard touchdown run.
Hoggard has been putting up outstanding numbers since he moved from wide receiver to running back.
“I have played running back my whole life coming into college so it wasn’t that hard of a transition. I have worked hard all of the off-season to keep on getting better, and it is starting to really pay off,” Hoggard said.
Hoggard finished the game with 205 rushing yards and two touchdown’s, while Whitten added two interceptions, giving him four on the year, and two returned for touchdowns.
“I like where we are right now in the season. We still have four tough games to go and we will take one at a time. I can say that we are one of the toughest teams in the conference, and I don’t think anyone will take us lightly anymore,” said Coach Foster.
The Golden Eagles will look to continue their hot play this Saturday when they host Mercyhurst University.
The kickoff is scheduled at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
10.8.09 / Sports
Clarion junior defender Alaina Tintera battles a West Virgina Wesleyan offender during Friday’s game at Memorial Stadium, in Nina Feldmans last game as head coach at Clarion. (Carly Masiroff / The Clarion Call)
This past Friday night the Golden Eagles were looking to end their nine game losing streak.
Clarion had something to fight for though, it was Coach Nina Feldman’s last game with the team before she moved on to a new job in Texas.
Clarion hosted the non conference game against West Virginia Wesleyan, coming out on top with a final score of 1-0. More »
10.1.09 / Sports
The Golden Eagles quarterback Tyler Huether runs the ball last season against Slippery Rock University. The Eagles will face Gannon at home this Sat. night. (Courtesy Photo / Sports Information)
This past Saturday the Golden Eagles traveled to Adamson stadium to face the Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania.
Clarion knew that they would have to play a near perfect game to come out with the win.
When asked about the matchup, Coach Jay Foster said, “We talked all week that if you took their top 44 players and lined them up against our top 44 that it would look like a total mismatch, or if you lined them up one on one it would be the same. More »
9.24.09 / Sports
This past Saturday the Golden Eagles traveled to California University of Pennsylvania to face the no. 24 ranked Vulcans.
Clarion was going into the game looking to end its five-game losing streak, but fell 2-0.
The players knew they were going to have a tough task ahead of them but they were ready for the challenge. More »
9.17.09 / Sports
The Golden Eagles were back in full force when they traveled to East Stroudsburg University with returning running back Alfonso Hoggard and placekicker Rob Mamula, who are both back from injury.
Clarion knew they would have their hands full with the Warriors, who had the top quarterback in the conference, Matt Marshall. More »
Drew Karpen is a staff sports writer for The Call.