Golden Eagles beat Mercyhurst

10.22.09 / Sports / By Drew Karpen

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.

After both offenses could not get the ball passed midfield on their first possession, Mercyhurst finally got something going.

The Lakers were able to March the ball down to the Golden Eagles 10 yard line before quarterback Joe Laffey completed a touchdown pass to Max Khuri. Placekicker Robert Giambra was not able to connect on the extra point, keeping the score at 6-0.

Already down 13-0, the Golden Eagles knew they would have to get something started on offense, so they turned to their playmaking running back Alfonso Hoggard.

After receiving a 17-yard pass on the drive from quarterback Tyler Huether, Hoggard found the end zone on a one-yard run to cut the Lakers lead to 13-7.

Merycyhurst would tack on another touchdown in the third quarter, increasing their lead 19-7. Needing a big fourth quarter to win the game, the Golden Eagles offense and defense were both up for the challenge.

On their first possession of the fourth quarter, Clarion marched down the field before they were stopped on the Mercyhurst 14-yard line, setting up a 31-yard field goal for placekicker Robert Mamula. Mamula cut the Lakers lead to 19-10.

After the Golden Eagles defense forced a three and out on the next possession, Huether and Hoggard were back on the attack.
After completing a 39-yard pass to wide receiver Jacques Robinson, Huether found Hoggard open for a 36 yard touchdown reception.
With all the momentum on its side, Mercyhurst would quickly quiet the crowd with a 93 yard kickoff return, increasing a slim lead to 25-17. On the next possession, Huether threw only one incompletion.

With the ball at the Lakers 25 yard line, Huether would find Robinson, in the end zone, making the score 25-23.
Down at the Mercyhurst 22 yard line, Hoggard took the handoff and raced into the end zone for the game-winning score. Hoggard couldn’t take all the credit though.

“Basically it came down to my offensive line doing a great job blocking so well, which gave me the chance to get to the second level of the defense and once I made it that far I was determined that I would not go down until I get in the end zone,” Hoggard said.
Coach Jay Foster was very pleased with his team’s performance.

“The way we came back is a great boost in the fact that now we know we can handle that adversity. As long as there is time on the clock, we can win,” Foster said.

Clarion will play their last home game of the season this Saturday.

Drew Karpen is a staff sports writer for The Call.

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