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Lock Haven Drops Clarion in Defensive Battle, 14-7

October 28, 2006

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Lock Haven University football team (2-7, 1-4 PSAC West) beat Clarion University (1-8, 0-4 PSAC West) 14-7 today at Hubert Jack Stadium, handing head coach John Klacik his first career Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division victory. The Bald Eagles got some timely turnovers, strong defense and just enough offense to hold off the Golden Eagles in today’s tightly-contested effort.

The first quarter featured three touches for each team, but neither squad was able to work any points on the scoreboard. LHU broke that stretch on after its fourth drive stalled, recovering the first of two big fumbles from the Clarion punt-return team.

A rolling line drive punt off the foot of freshman Marc Domonkos (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) hit CUP blocker Ryan Hart, and LHU sophomore Jason Eby (Ulster, Pa./Athens) fell on the ball for a first down at the Clarion 40.

Six plays later, junior tailback Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham) nabbed his first career rushing touchdown, taking a counter handoff around the left end, delivering a stiff-arm at the line of scrimmage that freed him up down the sideline. Senior wideout Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) made a key block on one of the Clarion defensive backs, shoving him deep into the end zone and maintaining the block what seemed like ages while Hawkins crossed the goal line.

The stingy LHU defense allowed just 29 passing yards over the first half, recording a pair of sacks and four tackles for loss for the 7-0 halftime lead. Conversely, the Golden Eagle defense held LHU to eight yards rushing by the halftime whistle. Clarion’s tailback Eddie Emanuel had 62 yards at the half.

LHU took advantage of more special teams play, recovering a miss-hit on the second half kickoff and returning to the Clarion 49-yard line. After two rush plays created a third-and-five, freshman signal-caller Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) went for the end zone, splitting double coverage with a diving touchdown to Smith.

The touchdown grab gave Smith 13 in his career, tying for sixth in school history with Bill Sementelli (1977-80).

Clarion’s first second-half possession got into LHU territory, but stalled at the 35, thanks to an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Clarion got on the board with 6:52 left in the game, as CUP’s Tyler Huether completed three-straight passes of 10-plus yards, including a 32-yard touchdown to Pierre Odom that mirrored the earlier score from DiPaolo to Smith.

The next drive by the Bald Eagles stalled for a punt at their own 36, but LHU got another big play from the special teams. Dwaon Woodard fielded the punt for Clarion and was hit immediately by Aaron Pryer (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic) forcing the ball loose. Pryer, finding the ball bouncing near his feet, alertly tapped it with his foot away from the Clarion players toward the oncoming LHU defenders, and senior linebacker Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) fell on it for the Bald Eagle possession at the Clarion 28. While the possession didn’t result in points, LHU was able to expend all three of the Golden Eagle timeouts with 3:26 remaining.

Needing a stop from the LHU defense, freshman Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin) ended Clarion’s next possession, bobbling and then catching Huethler’s errant fourth-down pass, returning it deep into Clarion territory. The Bald Eagles were able to take three knees to burn the remaining 1:56.

Emanuel led all rushers with 122 yards, while Hawkins was the LHU leader with 56 and a touchdown. Huethler was 10-of-26 for 137 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. His counterpart, DiPaolo threw for just 117 yards, but he didn’t throw a single pick for the first time in six games.

Odom led all catchers with five grabs for 77 yards, Smith topped the Bald Eagles with two grabs and 55 yards.

On the defensive side, senior linebacker Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) led the game with 10 tackles, including a nine-yard sack in the first quarter. Barie, David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) and Dean Tortorice (Delmont, Pa./Franklin) recorded six tackles apiece in the LHU defensive backfield. Up front, Ali Malone (Springfield, Va./Hayfield) had four tackles and a sack. Kevin Rigby and Zach Gourley led Clarion with eight tackles apiece.

The Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. when they host Kutztown University (2-5, 1-3 PSAC East). The Golden Bears most recently played at Cheyney University today.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Homecoming Heartbreaker Ends in Overtime Loss, 20-17

October 14, 2006

LOCK HAVEN, PA - In front of the largest crowd of the season at Hubert Jack Stadium, the Lock Haven University football squad (1-6, 0-2 PSAC West) took divisional foe Shippensburg University (4-3, 2-0 PSAC West) to overtime, falling by a field goal 20-17.

Aided by a stifiling defensive effort, creating two turnovers and holding an outstanding rush offense to just one score on the ground, LHU had a few chances to win this year's Homecoming game, but fell short with botched plays and turnovers of their own.

"Our defense played outstanding football," said LHU head coach John Klacik. "We had one breakdown after a turnover, but on the whole, they played very well. We need to learn how to finish games."

A Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) interception of Red Raider quarterback Tony Gomez ended the team's first possession, and gave LHU the ball at midfield. Freshman kicker Marc Domonkos (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) gave LHU an early 3-0 lead on a 39-yarder.

On the next Bald Eagle possession, Domonkos had a chance to make it 6-0, but missed from 38, thanks in large part to a swirling wind.

Shippensburg broke its shutout in the second quarter, when backup fullback Chris Infante slammed up the middle and through four arm tackles for a 50-yard touchdown and the 7-3 lead.

Later in the half, LHU showed some of the offensive spark that gave it a 14-0 run in last week's contest, getting a 13-yard end-around from senior Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills), a 46-yard pass from freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) to Smith and a 14-yard rush by senior Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) for the 10-7 halftime lead.

Smith's catch-and-run, the second-longest reception of the season for LHU, was a short hitch pass. Smith made his man coverage miss with a juke, and then broke outside with help from a devastating block by wideout-mate Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic/Shippensburg University). Wile took a wideout-reverse around the left side, and was allowed to score courtesy a leveling block by QB DiPaolo.

After a scoreless third stanza, the Raiders got the tying field goal on their second drive of the fourth, a 32-yarder from game hero Jamie Reder. Seven-straight runs set up the tying field goal.

The turnover bug bit on LHU's next play from scrimmage, as Ship corner Reggie Farrior jumped Smith's slant route and picked off the DiPaolo attempt. Ship wasted no time going ahead, as Gomez hit a streaking Pat Ferguson for the 39-yard touchdown just one play later.

Down 17-10 with just 5:02 left in the game, DiPaolo and Smith connected for 18 yards on first down, and then a DiPaolo quarterback draw gobbled up 33 more yards of real estate to the Shippensburg 11.

The next play, designed to be a shovel pass to junior tailback Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham) was thwarted by the penetration of the Ship interior defensive line. Shippensburg had sniffed out a play that had worked well for LHU during the day's efforts, but undaunted, DiPaolo spun away from the unblocked rusher, sprinted toward the near sideline and found Hawkins in the end zone for the tying score on the broken play. The regulation game ended on that 17-17 tie.

Shippensburg won the overtime toss and chose defense, forcing LHU to take first touch. The Raider defense came up big on a screen play, as Josh Emberg brought down Dwaine Berger (Normalville, Pa./Connellsville) for a 10-yard loss, forcing a 52-yard field goal that Domonkos booted short.

Ship ran the ball three times and Reder hit the game-winning 32-yarder for the 20-17 win.

Hawkins led LHU on the ground, carrying 12 times for 44 yards, while the Raiders covered 208 yards on the ground, led by Infante with 14 carries and 109 yards to go with a touchdown.

DiPaolo was 13-of-30 for 131 yards, with one touchdown and a pair of picks. Tony Gomez got the better part of the two-headed QB rotation for Ship, going 6-of-15 for 82 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Smith led LHU with both seven receptions and 113 yards. Ferguson had a pair of grabs for 42 yards.

On the defensive side, senior linebacker Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) celebrated his birthday with a game-high 13 tackles for the Bald Eagles, sharing that honor with Ship's Jaron Nalewak. Derek's brother Dustin Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) made seven stops to lead LHU defensive linemen, adding three for loss and a half sack. Safeties David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) and Corey Gildea (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) posted 12 and 10 tackles, respectively.

The loss ends a five-game win streak on Homecoming for the Bald Eagles.

The Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. when they travel to Slippery Rock University (4-3, 1-2 PSAC West). The Rock most recently lost to California University (Pa.) today 24-14.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston

A Family United by Pigskin and Patriotism

October 13, 2006

LOCK HAVEN and SHIPPENSBURG, PA - Lock Haven University senior Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) tackles more than just opposing quarterbacks. The senior linebacker also tackles the role of brother and son in a family that is spread across the world.

Jonathan and his brother Jaron (a senior linebacker at rival Shippensburg University) play out the family passion for football in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) while their father and two brothers demonstrate their devotion to country through work and deployment in Iraq.

Brothers Jason and Jeremy are stationed in Mosul, Iraq’s third largest city. Jason, a 2000 Shippensburg graduate, works for a corporation that exclusively provides high-threat personal protective services for U.S. personnel in Iraq and in other dangerous areas of the world.

Jeremy is a technician responsible for monitoring the quality of the services provided to U.S. soldiers. In addition to daily dealings with subcontractors from countries such as Turkey, India, and Nepal, Jeremy also inspects facilities and interviews soldiers regarding their satisfaction with Army services.

With 12-hour days and exhaustive seven-day work weeks, they have limited time to be with their father Ron who is working for Kellogg, Brown, and Root (KBR) at the U.S. Air Force base in Tal Afar, a war-torn city about 30 miles west of Mosul.

Ironically, Mosul in Arabic means “the linking point,” an apropos setting for the Nalewak. “Having my father in theater near where I live and work is really nice,” says Jeremy.

“I never could have imagined working in a war zone by myself, and now you add having my father only 60 kilometers from me—that’s crazy. His location is very secure and much safer than where I am currently assigned, so that is extremely comforting.”

Keeping in Touch

The family maintains communication and relationships despite being half a world apart.

Back in Shippensburg, Jaron has a direct line to his brothers and his father. For the Nalewaks in Iraq, it’s a welcome lifeline.

“We use chat and e-mail to communicate mostly, but I do have a VOIP line that has a

local number that they can call me without any extra charges,” Jason relates. “Those kind of phones make it so easy to stay in touch, it really takes some of the sting out of being away from family and friends. We can all pretty much call anytime we want.”

Here in Pennsylvania, Jaron and Jonathan have a friendly rivalry playing for different universities in the same collegiate conference. Jaron makes sure to preserve his communication with Jonathan just as much as he does with his brothers in Iraq.

“Jonathan and I talk over the Internet a bit, and I call him every now and then,” Jaron said. “He sent me a message recently saying how he can’t wait to kick some Raider butt, so I can’t wait to face him and I’ll tell him to bring it on.”

Living in a War Zone

The dangers the younger brothers face on the field do not compare with the reality of living in a war zone. After spending time at a remote base site in April, Jeremy posted on his web site journal that “in the last month I have spent more time in bunkers due to mortar attacks than I have spent the entire 15 months I was in theater.”

“The financial aspects of working in Iraq are very nice, though I learned very quickly that living in a war zone is not only dangerous, but you give up many freedoms of life back home,” relates Jeremy. “I have been here nearly two years now, and it is more than the money that keeps me here. I honestly feel I have a positive impact on the lives of our soldiers and therefore I am becoming a part of something greater: helping the people of Iraq indirectly.”

The situation is a tad more comfortable for Jason, who has been in Iraq for the better part of three years and grown somewhat familiar with the surroundings.

“I had already served in Iraq as a soldier in June of 2003, so I felt comfortable returning to Iraq to serve as a civilian because I knew what sort of dangers I would face here,” Jason said.

A Family Tradition of Football

When it’s time for Jaron and Jonathon to hit the gridiron, the Nalewaks in Iraq keep tabs on what is happening in Pennsylvania. The family tradition of football starts with Ron, who excelled as a high school running back in Shamokin.

An article in the Sept. 8, 1964 edition of Frederick Post reporting on the Maryland Terrapin football team said, “Ron Nalewak of Shamokin, Pa., was shifted from tailback to defensive end after Labor Day drills.” A quote from then head coach Tom Nugent describing Nalewak as “a good solid player. ...” Ron’s collegiate highlight that season was a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 34-0 thrashing of Clemson.

Rob’s sons followed in tradition of Nalewak pigskin. All three starred at Chambersburg

High School. At the collegiate level, Jason played football at Lycoming College. While

his football career was cut short by injury, he craved the excitement of the sport and the

ferocity of the game just as much as Jaron and Jonathan.

“We’ve all played football, even my sister Jennifer played Midget football,” Jaron says. “She was a running back (for the Chambersburg Steelers). Jennifer was the starter at corner back for the season, while her brother Jonathan was relegated to being her backup.

“If there is one unifying factor with our family, I think that all of us were known for our disregard for our own safety on the football field and the ability to deliver punishing tackles,” relates Jason, who played one season of semi-pro football with the Cumberland Valley Cardinals. “My family has always been very focused on sports.”

Separated by Space, not Spirit

Ultimately, the Nalewaks are a family bound together by devotion and love. In Chambersburg, mother Bonnie Nalewak serves as the final link to all five Nalewak children. “Football and Shippensburg were very important to our family,” she related.

Bonnie frequently follows Jaron on the road and makes sure to take in as many of his games as she can. Still, reality is tempered by the literal separation of the family.

“It’s real hard to gather with everyone so spread out and all over the place, but we do when we can,” Jaron said. “We have a really close family, and while my parents are separated, we’re still really up close. When we can get together it’s really cool, especially since there’s a lot of us.”

Amazingly enough, the game of football will even dictate the family’s social calendar this weekend. A majority of the family will be together at once this weekend, as Jennifer is scheduled to be married tomorrow. The ceremony pushed back to an untraditional

Sunday so that the family can attend Jaron and Jonathan’s football games today.

Jeremy and Ron acquired permission to fly back and attend the ceremony. “We landed in

D.C. on Wednesday, and then we surprised Jennifer at the rehearsal dinner yesterday,”

Jeremy said. [After today’s game] we’re going to drive to Lock Haven for the evening game. Tomorrow we’ll finally marry off Jennifer.”

While not every Nalewak still plays football, each member of the family is still driven by

the game. For the Nalewaks, football has the ability to unite the family and bring everyone together.

“Sports, in general, have been a unifying factor many times over,” Jeremy said. “We are a family and nothing can take that away, but I have felt closer at times to my family through sports. Whether is has been playing sports together, or enjoying watching Jonathan, Jaron, and Jennifer in their collegiate careers, athletics has brought our family closer together when we are oceans apart.”

Supplied by LHU Sports Information Diretcor Al Weston, Courtesy of Shippensburg Sports Information.

From The Eagles Nest: IUP-LHU Notebook

October 8, 2006

By Bill Albright

INDIANA, PA - There are usually a number of things that don't necessarily show up in the summary of a football game. Here are a few of those happenings or situations from Saturday's game between Lock Haven University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania:

HE'LL "SHOW" YOU HOW: Lock Haven University free safety David Show is not one of the biggest football players at 6-foot, 190 pounds. But one things is sure about the Bald Eagle junior. He can usually be found all over the field, making a play to lead the LHU defensive unit.

In Saturday's game, Show finished once again as the leader of the pack with 15 tackles (7 solo shots), one forced fumble and a pass deflection.

"I thought we played hard on defense today, but sometimes we need to get that stop like the one near the end of the game," said Show. "We have to be able to get the ball back for the offense to give us a chance to win. Everybody played hard, the offense started moving the ball and if we can come up with the stop on their last possession, it gives us a chance to win the game."

IUP tailback Chris Morgan is one of the premier running backs in the conference, and although he rushed for 102 yards on 19 tries, many of his 102 yards were hard-earned.

"He (Morgan) is right up there with one of the best backs I have faced," said Show. "But I would have to say that California's running back from last year (Antoine Bagwell) was probably the toughest I have gone against."

HE'S BAAAAACCCK: When healthy, LHU wide receiver Rafael Smith has shown the ability to be the big playmaker for the Bald Eagles thus far in his career. In Saturday's game with IUP, Smith again came up big as he hauled in five catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. His first catch was good for 32 yards and it was one of beauty. Smith went up for the ball, it was tipped from his hands by an IUP defender, and he kept his concentration focused to make the catch as he was falling to the ground.

"He (the defender) got a good chance to break on the ball and he was able to hit it," explained Smith. "I was just concentrating on the ball and when it was still loose, I was able to bring it down. It was a good throw by Ilio (quarterback DiPaolo), kept my eyes on the ball and fortunately, I was able to hang onto it."

Later in the game, Smith was able to again haul in a pass from DiPaolo, that one covering 19 yards for LHU's second score.

"The line was doing a good job blocking and Ilio kept his faith in me," said Smith. "He (DiPaolo) just told me to go deep. He threw a good ball and I was able to beat the defender for the catch and touchdown. It felt real good to make the catch, but without the job by our offensive line, it wouldn't have happened."

For Smith, it is a matter of getting back into the flow things after missing much of two seasons due to an injury.

"It really hurt me to just watch the other guys out there and not be able to be on the field," said Smith about his 'down' time. "But right now, it feels real good to be able to come back, but I feel bad for the guys because we played hard and lost the game. It is just tough to see us go out for 60 minutes, give it all we have and come up a little short."

HE'S IMPROVING WITH EACH GAME: We had to get our protections down because they were bringing the house on every play," explained DiPaolo about the slow start by the offense. "At halftime, we came in and got everything set up the way we wanted it and it worked a little bit better in the second half. Offensively, we just have to take care of some of the issues we are having trouble with, but we have five games left, and you had better believe that we are going to play hard to try and win all of those games."

When DiPaolo isn't throwing the ball to Smith and Company, he has also shown the ability to scoot with the ball, indicated by him scoring LHU's first touchdown of the afternoon.

"The coaches told me to just keep it," explained DiPaolo. "They told me not to tell anybody else and just to keep it on my own. As it turned out, I was able to get out on the edge and make it to the front pylon."

As for DiPaolo's future, Klacik likes what he sees in his freshman quarterback.

"There is no limit on how good he can be," said Klacik. "He is going to need some help around him, but I have been telling everyone who has asked about him that he is going to be something special. Every game, he does something better than the last game and you ask yourself when the last time Lock Haven has had a quarterback out there who was able to do those things. He is going to be fun to coach, and my goal is in two years to just sit back and watch him work because it is going to be fun to see."

Lock Haven Falls to IUP, 23-14
Bald Eagles Are Showing Improvement

October 7, 2006

By BILL ALBRIGHT

INDIANA, PA -- Lock Haven University football coach John Klacik has one simple goal for his players to attempt to achieve. Work hard with hopes of improving each week to eventually get to the point where if you play hard for 60 minutes of every football game, you will be able to compete with anybody you play.

Playing on the road in hostile territory as a heavy underdog to one of the premier programs in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, the Bald Eagles gave it everything they had before coming up short in a 23-14 loss to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indians Saturday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium.

Although the end result was another loss, the 60 minutes of the game indicated one important fact. Although the young Bald Eagles are not there yet, they are making progress and gaining on it.

"The thing I saw today is that we are learning if we play together for 60 minutes, we can compete with anybody,"said LHU coach John Klacik. "I still don't like the fact that we make too many mistakes that keeps us from having a real chance of winning or taking control of the game. I think that is coming and we are trying to build that. I am proud of our effort, but that (eliminating mistakes) is what we have to work on."

While the LHU offense sputtered in the early minutes of the game, the Bald Eagle defensive unit stood tall as it kept the Indians off the scoreboard for the first 22 minutes of the contest.

But then it happened as several of the LHU mistakes that Klacik referred to appeared on the scene and the Indians took advantage of them.

A lost fumble resulted in an IUP touchdown, three punts later the Indians took advantage of good field position to score right before halftime and a bad snap in punt formation led to the first of three field goals by IUP kicker Nick Wallace

Combine those mistakes with the Indians getting warmed up on offense and you have the ingredients of a 20-0 IUP lead early in the fourth period.

"You can't give a good team that many chances that close to the goal line," said Klacik. "We did a nice job stopping them once, but you can't do that and that is something we have to work on. Those (turnovers) are momentum changers and we had a chance to have some momentum going our way, but we didn't do it. I think we are going to start doing that, but it is a learning experience that is going to take some time."

In addition to the physical and mental mistakes the Bald Eagles faced, LHU had to deal with a big loss as tailback Chelstan Anderson went down with what appeared to be a possible season-ending injury.

"You hate to lose a guy like that because of his leadership qualities mainly," noted Klacik. "He has been kind of nicked up and he was just getting healthy for this game and here he goes down with an injury. We probably lost him for the rest of the year."

But hold the phone because the young Eagles weren't about to pack it in and head for the bus just yet.

Operating without much consistency through the first three quarters, the LHU offense, led by quarterback Ilio DiPaolo, came to life.

DiPaolo tallied the first LHU 6-pointer when he called his own number to sweep his left end from one yard out for LHU's first score. His scamper capped an 8-play drive that covered 65 yards with a little over 10 minutes left in the game.

Standing tall as it did for much of the afternoon, the Bald Eagle defense got the ball back when Dean Tortorice picked off a Kevin Weidl aerial and returned the theft to the IUP 35.

From there, aided by a pass interference call against the Indian secondary, it took the Eagles four plays to get the ball into the end zone, DiPaolo hooking up with wideout Rafael Smith from 19 yards away. Marc Domonkos' second PAT cut the IUP lead to 20-14 with seven minutes left and the Eagles were right back in the ball game.

"He (Smith) is coming off an injury that kept him from playing last year," said Klacik. "Last week, he played the game kind of feeling his way. But today, he played the game like 'hey I am ready to go'. Ilio and he made some good connections. He made some big time plays out there today."

Smith finished the game with five catches for 83 yards and the one score.

However, with the young Eagles right on their heels, the Indians sealed the deal when they marched 65 yards on a dozen plays, Wallace drilling a 33-yard field with two minutes left to set the final.

With one last chance to put more points on the board, IUP linebacker Terrence Jackson picked off a DiPaolo pass to seal the deal.

The win moves IUP to 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the PSAC-West, while the Bald Eagles drop to 1-5 against all foes, 0-2 in the conference.

The next action for LHU will be Saturday when the Bald Eagles host Shippensburg in Homecoming 2006 at Hubert Jack Stadium. Kickoff for the clash with the Red Raiders is set for 2 p.m.

Lock Haven Loses at Cal U, 51-7

September 30, 2006

CALIFORNIA, PA - The California University squad could do no wrong, and Lock Haven University could do little right, as the Vulcans dropped LHU 51-7 Saturday night (Sept. 30) at Hepner-Bailey Field.

The Bald Eagles did win the battle through the air, out-passing Cal U 174-111, and even won the second quarter 7-0. The true dagger came in the first four touches by the Vulcans, all resulting in touchdowns.

Cal U's Brandon Lombardy punched the first two scores in, including an 89-yard sprint for the 14-0 lead. A rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and a pair of defensive scores gave the Vulcans a 37-0 lead at the end of one.

LHU broke into the scoring column in its second drive of the second quarter, capping an 11-play 63-yard stretch with senior wideout Andrew Briener's (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) first career touchdown catch, a seven-yard touch pass from freshman signal-caller Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis). DiPaolo was 3-of-5 passing on the drive, aided by a pair of late-hit penalties called on Cal U.

Freshman Kyle Crane (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) picked off his first career pass on the next play from scrimmage, beginning another drive into Vulcan territory, but the Bald Eagles would stall on a fourth down inside the Cal U 25.

The Bald Eagles tightened the defensive reigns in the second half, allowing just a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters, and disrupting any attempts Cal U quarterback Matt Humbert would have to pass. Junior safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) picked off Humbert mid-way through the third, while Crane grabbed his second pass of the game on the first possession of the fourth quarter.

The Vulcans' Josh Kemp attributed for the final two Cal U scores, returning a DiPaolo interception for 50 yards and scrambling with a Chelstan Anderson II (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) fumble for a 24-yard TD.

The run game was all but shut down for LHU, as Anderson led the squad at 14 carries for 12 yards. DiPaolo, forced to pass early and often, finished 21-of-37 for 174 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He hit seven different players with passes, including team-leader Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic/Shippensburg University) seven times for 80 yards.

The defense was led by freshman Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin) at four tackles, while senior linebacker Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) followed with three, including one for loss. Sophomore defensive end Ali Malone (Springfield, Va./Hayfield) led the defensive line with three stops.

The Bald Eagles return to action Saturday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. when they travel to IUP (3-1, 1-0 PSAC West). IUP most recently beat Edinboro University 23-20 in overtime today.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Kicks Off PSAC West Division Play At California

September 28, 2006

CALIFORNIA, PA - Lock Haven University football (1-3) will have the momentum of its first win heading into the kickoff of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division play at California University (Pa.) (2-2) Saturday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the internet at HavenSports.com.

LAST TIME OUT FOR CAL U: Junior quarterback Joe Ruggiero (Detroit, Mich./Franklin) threw three touchdown passes and pushed Cal to a pair of 17-point leads in the first half, but East Stroudsburg QB Jimmy Terwilliger led a second-half rally to gain a 41-34 non-league football victory over the 25th-ranked Vulcans Saturday.

Ruggiero completed 17-of-24 passes for 240 yards and three scores, including a pair of scoring tosses to Sr. WR Marc Huddleston (Canton, Ohio/Canton-McKinley), before leaving the game with an unknown injury in the second half. Terwilliger, the 2005 Harlon Hill Award winner as the Division II Player of the Year, responded by completing 23-of-43 passes for 389 yards and four TDs. It was the 24th time in his career Terwilliger threw for more than 300 yards. His primary target was senior WR Evan Prall, who tied an ESU record for most receptions in a game (14-for-186 yards, 1 TD). Terwilliger also threw two scoring strikes to WR Doug Ogden and contributed a team-high 50 net rushing yards. Both teams evened their record at 2-2 and combined for 706 yards of total offense. Cal's defense picked off the first three interceptions Terwilliger has thrown in 2006 but surrendered 398 yads of total offense as ESU controlled the time of possession (33:08). Cal had the ball for just under 27 minutes in the game, including 12 minutes in the first quarter. The Vulcans scored on their first five possessions of the first half, taking leads of 24-7 and 31-14. Ruggiero threw TD passes to Huddleston (5 & 60 yards) and Sr. WR Brandon Jackson (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) of eight yards. Cal added a six-yard TD run by Soph. RB Brandon Lombardy (Moureland Hills, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) and the first of two field goals Fr. PK Tyler Lorenz (Savannah, Tenn./Savannah). Lorenz' 24-yard first-half three-pointer followed a 92-yard touchdown run by Lombardy that was negated in ESU territory by an illegal block penalty. He added a 28-yard FG in the third quarter that tied the game with 4:41 left. Terwilliger ignited ESU's rally early in the second quarter, driving the hosts 74 yards for ESU's first score. A 37-yard pass to Wes Lindsey highlighted the drive. ESU tried to keep pace, but interceptions by linebackers Brian Mohr (Beaver Falls, Pa./Riverside), Darren Burns (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) and safety Jermaine Moye (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) slowed the Warriors. They were the first interceptions thrown this season by Terwilliger. On his second possession, Humbert drove the Vulcans to ESU's 15-yard line before a pair of proceedure penalties forced Cal to settle for a field goal attempt, which sailed wide right. Linebackers Josh Zunic (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), who had a team-high four solo hits, Mike Dodson (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone) and Mohr each registered eight tackles for Cal. Mohr and Burns and Moye all had two pass break ups.

VULCAN HEAD COACH JOHN LUCKHARDT: John Luckhardt enters his third season with the Vulcans as head coachwith a record of 10-12. Luckhardt came to Cal two years ago after a most successful tenure as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at nearby Washington and Jefferson College. In 17 seasons at W&J, Lucky compiled a 137-37-2 cumulative record and had an 83% graduation rate. His Prexies won 13 President's Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships, five NCAA Division III regional championships, made 11 appearances in the NCAA playoffs, including two national championship game showings. In addition to coaching at W&J and serving as AD from 1986 through 1990, he also served as Director of Special Projects from 1998-2000.

UP NEXT FOR CAL U: The Vulcans will travel to Edinboro University Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT FOR LHU It went down to the wire, but the Lock Haven University football team (1-3) picked up its first win, spoiling Mansfield University's (0-3) Homecoming contest 24-21 at Van Norman Field. The Bald Eagles and

Mountaineers battled in a game of momentum swings sparked by turnovers, trick plays and fourth-down conversions.

"We had talked about competing for 60 minutes," said LHU head coach John Klacik. "Just give 60 minutes of effort and we'll see if you're better than the other team. I don't know if we played fundamentally for 60 minutes today, but never gave up for the full time, and it was enough to win today."

A 69-yard bomb from freshman Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) to senior Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) with 1:52 left was the final momentum swing the Bald Eagles needed. Faced with fourth-and-goal later that drive, Perry Smith (Takoma Park, Md./Montgomery Blair/West Virginia State University) went over the top for the one-yard touchdown and the game's final score.

A bit of trickery set up the game's first score, as Mansfield ran a fake punt pass caught by C.J. Okojeri for 26 yards, picking up a first down inside the LHU 20. Five plays later, tailback Kevin Calhoun found paydirt for the 7-0 lead, the first score for the Mountaineers this season.

In the second, freshman Dean Tortorice's (Delmont, Pa./Franklin) leaping grab of a deep pass attempt by MU's Tyler Blakeslee gave the Bald Eagles their first interception of the season and set up the first scoring drive of the contest.

DiPaolo went 8-of-12 on the following the drive, finding junior Neil Herman (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville/Delaware County C.C.) for three straight catches on slants to get the Bald Eagles deep into Mountaineer territory. The drive stalled with goal to go, and rookie Marc Domonkos (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) rammed home a 26-yard field goal with seconds left until the half.

Early in the third quarter, after a Brendon Pickel (Easton, Pa./Easton) punt and an excellent open-field tackle by Tortorice pinned Mansfield deep in its own territory, safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) stepped in front of another Blakeslee pass at the 26-yard line, speeding to the left corner for a defensive touchdown and the 10-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the third.

The last time LHU had an interception for a touchdown was Ngoyi Mukusa (2005) with a 35-yard scamper in 2002. Senior linebacker Andre Turner returned the favor on the next drive but had a tougher job to reach the goal line, running 85 yards and breaking a pair of tackles on an outstanding play. With that score, Mansfield led at the end of the third 14-10. Mansfield tacked on seven more on its next possession, but almost came away with nothing. Looking at a fourth and seven on the LHU 25 yard line and 8:30 left, Blakeslee hit Tyrone Robinson on a slant for the first down. Blakeslee capped the 15-play 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Another swing of the game toward LHU followed with a blocked punt, as senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) swatted the kick and Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) returned it for 43 yards, cutting the Mansfield lead to 21-16.

The blocked punt for a touchdown was the first by LHU since 2002 against Edinboro University, when Nathan Eck (2003) scooped up a kick blocked by Jarrod Hendricks (2004).

The tough LHU defense held Mansfield to another three-and-out, giving DiPaolo and the offense 76 yards and 1:52 to work with, down four. After the TD, DiPaolo faked the hold on the kick and ran for two points and the final 24-21. On the first play, DiPaolo found a streaking Wile down the LHU sideline for 69 yards, getting knocked out at the seven. Three passes got LHU to the one yard-line, and Smith got the call on fourth-and-goal from the one, his first touchdown in a Bald Eagle uniform.

"Coming into the day, I had a feeling it would be special," said Smith of his first start at LHU. "I knew if we tried our hardest and worked well as a team, good things would come."

Freshman Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin) picked off a last-ditch Mansfield effort to seal the game.

FIRST AND TEN:
1 - The Bald Eagles have had four different players lead in tackles in each of the three games. Cory Gildea in game one, David Show in game two, Derek Harsch and Show in game three, and Demetrius Wilson, Luke Ellison and Harsch in game four.
2 - Ilio DiPaolo has already thrown for more yards (477) than the LHU leader for all of last season (Jason Eby 203).
3 - Troy Wile, Jr. has covered x total yards for LHU this season, 179 receiving, 27 rushing, 15 on a kickoff return and 57 passing.
4 - LHU had six players in the starting lineup suiting up for the first time at Hubert Jack against M'Ville, two offense and four defense.
5 - Senior linebacker Jonathan Nalewak has 238 career tackles, 38 out of the top-10 at LHU all-time.
6 - LHU has lost the last four at Cal U, a streak dating back to 1996.
7 - DB Dean Tortorice had his first two career turnovers at Mansfield Saturday, picking off a pass and recovering a fumble.
8 - The Bald Eagles have a pair of freshmen All-State performers this season in linebacker Luke Ellison and kicker Marc Domonkos.
9 - LHU has winning records against all of its Division II non-conference opponents this season.
10 - The Bald Eagle coaching staff owns ten championship rings as players and on the sidelines.

Up next LHU travels to IUP Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston

DiPaolo Named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week

September 25, 2006

LOCK HAVEN, PA - Lock Haven University's (1-3) freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, NY/St. Francis) has been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Offensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance during the week ending on Sept. 23. This is the first honor for both DiPaolo and football program of the season.

DiPaolo anchored a second-half comeback against Mansfield University (0-3) to give the Bald Eagles their first victory of the season, 24-21. In his second career start, he completed 19 of 37 passes for 226 yards, the highest output for a Lock Haven quarterback since 2004. With 1:52 left in the game, DiPaolo threw a 69-yard bomb on the first play of the drive to set up the game's winning touchdown. He also would successfully rush for the two-point conversion on the score.

DiPaolo and the rest of the Bald Eagles will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. as they travel to California, Pa. to challenge #34 California (Pa.) University (2-2).

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston.

Defense, Special Teams Carry LHU to Win at Mansfield, 24-21

MANSFIELD, PA – It went down to the wire, but the Lock Haven University football team (1-3) picked up its first win, spoiling Mansfield University’s (0-3) Homecoming contest 24-21 at Van Norman Field. The Bald Eagles and Mountaineers battled in a game of momentum swings sparked by turnovers, trick plays and fourth-down conversions.

“We had talked about competing for 60 minutes,” said LHU head coach John Klacik. “Just give 60 minutes of effort and we’ll see if you’re better than the other team. I don’t know if we played fundamentally for 60 minutes today, but never gave up for the full time, and it was enough to win today.”

A bit of trickery set up the game’s first score, as Mansfield ran a fake punt pass caught by C.J. Okojeri for 26 yards, picking up a first down inside the LHU 20. Five plays later, tailback Kevin Calhoun found paydirt for the 7-0 lead, the first score for the Mountaineers this season.

In the second, freshman Dean Tortorice’s (Delmont, Pa./Franklin) leaping grab of a deep pass attempt by MU’s Tyler Blakeslee gave the Bald Eagles their first interception of the season and set up the first scoring drive of the contest.

The last time LHU had an interception for a touchdown was Ngoyi Mukusa (2005) with a 35-yard scamper in 2002.

Senior linebacker Andre Turner returned the favor on the next drive but had a tougher job to reach the goal line, running 85 yards and breaking a pair of tackles on an outstanding play. With that score Mansfield led at the end of the third 14-10.

Mansfield tacked on seven more on its next possession, but almost came away with nothing. Looking at a fourth and seven on the LHU 25 yard line and 8:30 left, Blakeslee hit Tyrone Robinson on a slant for the first down. Blakeslee capped the 15-play 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Another swing of the game toward LHU followed with a blocked punt, as senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) swatted the kick and Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) returned it for 43 yards, cutting the Mansfield lead to 21-16.

The blocked punt for a touchdown was the first by LHU since 2002 against Edinboro University, when Nathan Eck (2003) scooped up a kick blocked by Jarrod Hendricks (2004).

On the first play, DiPaolo found a streaking Wile down the LHU sideline for 69 yards, getting knocked out at the seven. Three passes got LHU to the one yard-line, and Smith got the call on fourth-and-goal from the one, his first touchdown in a Bald Eagle uniform.

“Coming into the day, I had a feeling it would be special,” said Smith of his first start at LHU. “I knew if we tried our hardest and worked well as a team, good things would come.”

Freshman Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin) picked off a last-ditch Mansfield effort to seal the game.

DiPaolo finished at 19-of-37 for a career-high 226 yards, but two interceptions. Wile had five catches for 99 of those yards. DiPaolo was also the leading rusher with 11 carries and 26 yards.

On the defensive side, linebacker Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville), defensive end Demetrius Wilson (Philadelphia/George Washington) and Harsch shared the team lead with eight tackles each. Tortorice led the defensive backs with six tackles.

Klacik, DiPaolo, Wile, Smith Tortorice, Herman, Domonkos, Pickel, Show, Harsch, Nalewak, Barie, Ellison, Wilson and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. when they travel to No. 25 California University (Pa.)(2-2). The Vulcans most recently lost today at East Stroudsburg University 41-34.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston.

Lock Haven Hits the Road, Visits Mansfield For Homecoming

September 21, 2006

MANFIELD, PA – Lock Haven University football (0-3) will be the guest for Mansfield University's (0-2) Homecoming game this Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m., with both teams looking for its first win. The game will be broadcast on the internet at HavenSports.com.

LAST TIME OUT FOR MANSFIELD: Nate Crookshank passed for a career-high 336 yards and two touchdownsSaturday night to lead the hosting Rock to a 46-0 win over MansfieldUniversity in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "crossover" action. Behind Crookshank's lead, The Division II Rock amassed 610 yards in total offense en route to its second straight win after an opening week loss at I-AA Youngstown State. Paul Favers caught four passes for 127 yards, including a school-record 95-yard TD, to lead The Rock's receiving effort. Luke Wetzel had a team-high seven catches for 120 yards, including a 27-yard TD. The Rock had a season-best 275 yards rushing, led by A.J. Saunders with 101 yards on 11 carries. He scored two TDs on runs of 1 and 22 yards. An 11-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Brad Galvan to Terry Grossetti accounted for the final Rock score. Ryan Daniel was successful on five of six extra-point kick attempts for SRU. The Rock defense recorded four interceptions, including two by Anthony Walls, and recovered one fumble to help assure the shutout. Mansfield backup quarterback Tyler Blakelee passed for 101 yards on a 6-of-15 night to pace a 208-yard offensive attack by the Mountaineers. Wetzel and Crookshank hooked up for a second time on a 52-yard pass with 5:52 remaining in the first quarter to give The Rock a 14-7 lead after the extra point.

MANSFIELD HEAD COACH JIM SHIFFER: Jim Shiffer is entering his second season as the head football coach for the Mountaineers. Shiffer returned home to his Mansfield roots when he was introduced as the 22nd Head Coach in the Mountaineers 112-year football history by President John Halstead during a news conference on January 30, 2004. A three-year starter on the offensive line for the Mountaineers from 1986-88, Shiffer became the first alumnus to direct the Red & Black since former NFL Canton Bulldog Ed Russell guided his last team 75 years ago.

UP NEXT FOR MANSFIELD: The Mountaineers will host East Stroudsburg University Saturday,Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT FOR LHU: The Lock Haven University football squad (0-3) was felled in its home opener by Millersville University (1-2) tonight (Sept. 16) at Hubert Jack Stadium. The Bald Eagle defense played strong at times, causing their first two turnovers of the season. The Millersville offense had incredible balance, rushing for 145 and passing for 215 yards, respectively. The Marauders had a solid first touch, working their way deep into LHU territory thanks to conversions on three third-and-five-plus situations. Faced with a fourth-and-one at the Lock Haven eight, they tried a rush and were immediately stuffed by Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) and Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville), giving LHU the momentum. LHU picked up a pair of first downs on the ensuing drive, but were stalled near midfield after it gave up a sack.

"There's one thing I know about this team," said LHU head coach John Klacik. "They're not going to give up, and they're going to do what they've got to do to get better."

Millersville capped its next possession with a 33-yard touchdown pass as Dan Csencsitz hit Andrew Tischbein for the first points of the game. The Marauders tacked on a pair of TDs in the second on a two-yard rush by Brad Lantz and a blocked punt returned 25 yards by Tischbein. The Bald Eagles had an excellent chance to put some points up just before halftime as freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) completed four passes over an extended drive to set up a fourth-and-three on the Millersville seven with just seconds left. LHU tried to spread the defense with multiple wideouts, but DiPaolo was sacked again to finish the half 21-0. Csencsitz hit Fry for the second passing touchdown of the day mid-way through the third quarter, and Lantz capped a 10-play drive with a one-yard power TD to finish the scoring in the fourth. The Bald Eagle offense was without their top two tailbacks and was unable to get much done on the ground. The weight fell on the throwing arm of DiPaolo, who made multiple excellent athletic plays, but was also dropped for five sacks during the course of the contest. DiPaolo finished with 164 yards on 21-of-32 passing. His main targets were Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic/Shippensburg University)-seven catches for 54 yards-and Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg)-five grabs for 48. MU's Lantz finished with 118 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Csencsitz covered 215 through the air and two scores. Linebacker Harsch and safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) each posted 10-tackle games, the first such game for Harsch this season. Both Harsch and Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) recorded tackles for loss. Freshman Demetrius Wilson (Philadelphia/George Washington) led the line with five stops.

"We've just got to keep our heads up and keep working hard," said senior linebacker Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin), owner of an eight-tackle effort. "If we continue to do that, we can look forward to good things on the horizon."

LAST TIME OUT FOR LHU
LHU LOSES AT EAST STROUDSBURG 45-14: It was a little too many penalties and a lot too much Evan Prall, as the Lock Haven University football team (0-2) fell 45-14 at East Stroudsburg University today (Sept. 9). ESU's Prall found the end zone five times in the day's effort. Two Haven touchdowns bookended a 45-point streak by the Warriors. LHU opened up with some trickery, catching the Warriors off guard with an on-sides kick that kicker Brendon Pickel (Easton, Pa./Easton) recovered himself. The Bald Eagles ran nine plays to cover the 51 yards they had remaining, with a Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) option run of 25 yards setting up an eventual wideout reverse from nine-yards out to Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Shippensburg University) for the 7-0 lead.

"I think our kids are playing well and understanding the system well this season," said LHU head coach John Klacik. "I don't like to judge this team against where we were last season, because I want to focus on the present and future, but we handle adversity better and handle situations better inside the games."

ESU answered quickly with an eight-play 80-yard drive that featured a four rushes, a 43-yard toss and a three-yard capper of a pass, both to Prall. The first quarter was still a moral victory for the Bald Eagles, finding themselves in a 7-7 tie with the 2005 NCAA Division II semifinalists. The swing play occurred on the second ESU drive of the second quarter, when faced with a third-and-10, LHU's Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) and Brian Tomasovitch (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) sacked the Warriors' elusive QB, Jimmy Terwilliger. A questionable late-hit penalty was called, giving ESU a first down. Terwilliger found Prall five plays later for touchdown number two. ESU made good on its first touch of the second half, as Terwilliger hit tailback Joe Partridge, a 29-yard touchdown pass. After a three-and-out for LHU, Prall returned the ensuing punt 69 yards for a touchdown and the 35-7 lead. Freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) worked at the helm for the final LHU drive of the day, running for 11 yards and passing for 45 yards on a 10-play, 68-yard drive late in the fourth. DiPaolo hit his quarterback mate on the sideline, an athletic catch by Wile, Jr. tiptoeing on the far sideline, out of bounds at the seven. DiPaolo followed two plays later by throwing low to junior tailback Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham), who made a circus-style one handed catch that nearly hit the ground. Hawkins spun around and had enough awareness to speed the final five yards for the touchdown. Wile, Jr. was the team's leading rusher at 43 yards on 11 carries. DiPaolo was 6-of-11 for 77 yards and one touchdown, Wile Jr. 4-of-6 for 37 yards. Senior wideout Andrew Breiner (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) had three catches for 29 yards. On the defensive side, senior safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) paced the team with seven tackles, and classmate Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) led linebackers with six. Tomasovitch led all linemen with five. Freshman Josh Moran (Narvon, Pa./Pequea Valley) and senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) recorded the first two sacks of 2006 for LHU.

FIRST AND TEN:
1 - The Bald Eagles have had three different players lead in tackles in each of the three games. Cory Gildea in game one, David Show in game two and Derek Harsch and Show in game three.
2 - Ilio DiPaolo has already thrown for more yards (251) than the LHU leader for all of last season (Jason Eby 203).
3 - LHU has been out-scored 129-14 in the first three games, compared to 2005's 142-17.
4 - LHU had six players in the starting lineup suiting up for the first time at Hubert Jack last week, two offense and four defense.
5 - Senior linebacker Jonathan Nalewak has 232 career tackles, 44 out of the top-10 at LHU all-time.
6 - Mansfield has yet to score this season in three games.
7 - LHU has won the last six contests at Mansfield, a streak dating back to 1991.
8 - The Bald Eagles have a pair of freshmen All-State performers this season in linebacker Luke Ellison and kicker Marc Domonkos.
9 - LHU has winning records against all of its Division II non-conference opponents this season.
10 - The Bald Eagle coaching staff owns ten championship rings as players and on the sidelines. Courtesy of Sports Information Director Al Weston.

Lock Haven Drops Tough One Against Millersville

September 16, 2006

MILLERSVILLE, PA - The Lock Haven University football squad (0-3) was felled in its home opener by Millersville University (1-2) tonight (Sept. 16) at Hubert Jack Stadium. The Bald Eagle defense played strong at times, causing their first two turnovers of the season.

The Millersville offense had incredible balance, rushing for 145 and passing for 215 yards, respectively. The Marauders had a solid first touch, working their way deep into LHU territory thanks to conversions on three third-and-five-plus situations. Faced with a fourth-and-one at the Lock Haven eight, they tried a rush and were immediately stuffed by Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) and Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville), giving LHU the momentum.

LHU picked up a pair of first downs on the ensuing drive, but were stalled near midfield after it gave up a sack.

“There’s one thing I know about this team,” said LHU head coach John Klacik. “They’re not going to give up, and they’re going to do what they’ve got to do to get better.”

The Bald Eagles had an excellent chance to put some points up just before halftime as freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) completed four passes over an extended drive to set up a fourth-and-three on the Millersville seven with just seconds left. LHU tried to spread the defense with multiple wideouts, but DiPaolo was sacked again to finish the half 21-0.

Csencsitz hit Fry for the second passing touchdown of the day mid-way through the third quarter, and Lantz capped a 10-play drive with a one-yard power TD to finish the scoring in the fourth.

The Bald Eagle offense was without their top two tailbacks and was unable to get much done on the ground. The weight fell on the throwing arm of DiPaolo, who made multiple excellent athletic plays, but was also dropped for five sacks during the course of the contest.

DiPaolo finished with 164 yards on 21-of-32 passing. His main targets were Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic/Shippensburg University)--seven catches for 54 yards--and Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg)--five grabs for 48.

MU’s Lantz finished with 118 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Csencsitz covered 215 through the air and two scores.

Linebacker Harsch and safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) each posted 10-tackle games, the first such game for Harsch this season. Both Harsch and Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) recorded tackles for loss. Freshman Demetrius Wilson (Philadelphia/George Washington) led the line with five stops.

“We’ve just got to keep our heads up and keep working hard,” said senior linebacker Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin), owner of an eight-tackle effort. “If we continue to do that, we can look forward to good things on the horizon.”

Harsch, Ellison, DiPaolo, Lawrence, Wile, Show, Crebs, Wilson and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. when they travel to nearby Mansfield University (0-2). The Mountaineers most recently lost 45-0 at Slippery Rock University tonight.

Supplied By Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Hosts Millersville in Home Opener

September 14, 2006

LOCK HAVEN, PA - Lock Haven University football (0-2) holds its home opener this weekend, hosting Millersville University (0-2), with both teams looking for its first win. Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at Hubert Jack Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on the internet at www.lhup.edu/sports/audio.html.

LAST TIME OUT FOR M'VILLE: Millersville University held a 17-14 lead at halftime, but it would not be enough as Slippery Rock upended the Marauders, 27-22, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football crossover action on Saturday afternoon at Chryst Field in Biemsderfer Stadium. Slippery Rock, which now improves to 1-1 overall, is now 12-4-1 all-time against the Marauders, who fall to 0-2 overall on the season. Millersville has not lost back-to-back games to open the season since 2002. The Rock opened the scoring when Luke Wetzel, who made four catches for 138 yards on the day, caught a 14-yard pass from Nate Crookshank just 1:44 into the contest. Ryan Daniel's made extra point put Slippery Rock ahead, 7-0. Millersville responded on its next drive when sophomore Andrew Tischbein, who notched a season and game-high eight catches for 93 yards on the day, caught a 29-yard launch from senior Dan Csencsitz at the 11:28 mark in the first quarter. Junior Doug Ruhl's extra point attempt was good to tie the game, 7-7. Wetzel and Crookshank hooked up for a second time on a 52-yard pass with 5:52 remaining in the first quarter to give The Rock a 14-7 lead after the extra point. Freshman Jordan Brooks caught the first touchdown of his collegiate career on a 41-yard pass from Csencsitz with 1:27 left in the first quarter. Ruhl tied the game, 14-14, once again on the made extra point. The second quarter remained scoreless until Ruhl kicked a 36-yard field goal to give the Marauders a 17-14 lead with 5:22 left before halftime. Slippery Rock tried to match Millersville, but Daniel missed a 39-yard field goal attempt with 2:16 left in the half. The only score of the third quarter came at the 7:45 mark when Kyle Witman mishandled the punt in the end-zone and Millersville was awarded a safety, putting the Marauders up, 19-14. The Rock's Terry Grossetti brought down a 24-yard pass from Crookshank 3:49 into the fourth quarter to give Slippery Rock the 20-19 advantage after failing to complete a two-point conversion. Slippery Rock recovered its own on-sides kick on the start of the next drive and Crookshank found Wetzel for the third time of the day on a 33-yard pass to give The Rock a 27-19 lead after the extra point at the 10:56 mark. Ruhl notched a 37-yard field goal, his second of the day, to bring the Marauders within five, at 27-22, with 6:44 left in the game. Csencsitz completed 19 of 28 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while Crookshank completed 17 of 25 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns. Millersville freshman Brad Lantz ran for a career-high 83 yards in the loss, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Sophomores Shane Gosnell and Ryan Lymych led the defense with seven tackles apiece for Millersville, while Cory Lacek led The Rock with seven tackles and a new school single-game record of four sacks. Juniors Marcus Banks and Brandon Shelton each added six tackles on the day for the Marauders.

MARAUDER HEAD COACH JOE TRAINER: Joe Trainer, who served eight seasons on the Villanova University coaching staff, including the past five as defensive coordinator, was appointed as the 19th head coach in Millersville University football history March 3, 2005. Trainer's appointment culminates a national search that lasted approximately three months. This will be his first head football coaching assignment. In accepting his new post, Trainer noted that his philosophy as Millersville gridiron mentor will be to build character in his players.

UP NEXT FOR MILLERSVILLE: The Marauders will host IUP Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT FOR LHU: It was a little too many penalties and a lot too much Evan Prall, as the Lock Haven University football team (0-2) fell 45-14 at East Stroudsburg University today (Sept. 9). ESU's Prall found the end zone five times in the day's effort. Two Haven touchdowns bookended a 45-point streak by the Warriors. LHU opened up with some trickery, catching the Warriors off guard with an on-sides kick that kicker Brendon Pickel (Easton, Pa./Easton) recovered himself. The Bald Eagles ran nine plays to cover the 51 yards they had remaining, with a Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) option run of 25 yards setting up an eventual wideout reverse from nine-yards out to Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Shippensburg University) for the 7-0 lead.

Prall, both men's fifth of the day. Freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) worked at the helm for the final LHU drive of the day, running for 11 yards and passing for 45 yards on a 10-play, 68-yard drive late in the fourth.

"I'm getting more and more comfortable out there," said DiPaolo of his game time. "The game is much faster and I have a lot to learn, but I'm getting there."

DiPaolo hit his quarterback mate on the sideline, an athletic catch by Wile, Jr. tiptoeing on the far sideline, out of bounds at the seven. DiPaolo followed two plays later by throwing low to junior tailback Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham), who made a circus-style one handed catch that nearly hit the ground. Hawkins spun around and had enough awareness to speed the final five yards for the touchdown. Penalties, one area of no concern in the 49-0 loss to Southern Illinois University, hurt LHU today, to the tune of 10 for 85 yards. Wile, Jr. was the team's leading rusher at 43 yards on 11 carries. DiPaolo was 6-of-11 for 77 yards and one touchdown, Wile Jr. 4-of-6 for 37 yards. Senior wideout Andrew Breiner (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) had three catches for 29 yards. On the defensive side, senior safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) paced the team with seven tackles, and classmate

Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) led linebackers with six. Tomasovitch led all linemen with five. Freshman Josh Moran (Narvon,Pa./Pequea Valley) and senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) recorded the first two sacks of 2006 for LHU.

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Offense Tough in Loss To East Stroudsburg

September 9, 2006

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA - It was a little too many penalties and a lot too much Evan Prall, as the Lock Haven University football team (0-2) fell 45-14 at East Stroudsburg University today (Sept. 9). ESU’s Prall found the end zone five times in the day’s effort.

Two Haven touchdowns bookended a 45-point streak by the Warriors.

LHU opened up with some trickery, catching the Warriors off guard with an on-sides kick that kicker Brendon Pickel (Easton, Pa./Easton) recovered himself.

The Bald Eagles ran nine plays to cover the 51 yards they had remaining, with a Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) option run of 25 yards setting up an eventual wideout reverse from nine-yards out to Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Shippensburg University) for the 7-0 lead.

The swing play occurred on the second ESU drive of the second quarter, when faced with a third-and-10, LHU’s Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) and Brian Tomasovitch (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) sacked the Warriors’ elusive QB, Jimmy Terwilliger. A questionable late-hit penalty was called, giving ESU a first down. Terwilliger found Prall five plays later for touchdown number two.

A turnover on the next LHU drive (the first Bald Eagle turnover of the season) set up passes of 41 and six yards to Prall and the 21-7 halftime lead.

ESU made good on its first touch of the second half, as Terwilliger hit tailback Joe Partridge, a 29-yard touchdown pass. After a three-and-out for LHU, Prall returned the ensuing punt 69 yards for a touchdown and the 35-7 lead.

An out-and-up pattern gave ESU a 42-7 lead on its first possession in the fourth, an 81-yard touchdown from Terwilliger to Prall, both men’s fifth of the day.

Freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) worked at the helm for the final LHU drive of the day, running for 11 yards and passing for 45 yards on a 10-play, 68-yard drive late in the fourth.

Penalties, one area of no concern in the 49-0 loss to Southern Illinois University, hurt LHU today, to the tune of 10 for 85 yards.

Wile, Jr. was the team’s leading rusher at 43 yards on 11 carries. DiPaolo was 6-of-11 for 77 yards and one touchdown, Wile Jr. 4-of-6 for 37 yards. Senior wideout Andrew Breiner (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) had three catches for 29 yards.

On the defensive side, senior safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) paced the team with seven tackles, and classmate Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) led linebackers with six. Tomasovitch led all linemen with five. Freshman Josh Moran (Narvon, Pa./Pequea Valley) and senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) recorded the first two sacks of 2006 for LHU.

Pickel, Wile Jr., Lawrence, Ellison, Tomasovitch, DiPaolo, Hawkins, Breiner, Show, Nalewak, Moran, Harsch and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. when they play host to Millersville University (0-2).

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Takes On East Stroudsburg in Week Two

September 6, 2006

The Lock Haven University football (0-1) faces its second 2005 NCAA semifinalist of the season Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1:05 p.m. On the slate for the week is East Stroudsburg University (0-1), a semifinalist in last season's Division II Playoffs. The gameis the second home contest in as many weeks for the Warriors.

Last time out for ESU

Freshman Tyler McNamara kicked a 30-yard field goal with two seconds left to lift the Bentley College Falcons to a 9-7 victory over East Stroudsburg University, Saturday at a rainy and windy Eiler-Martin Stadium.

ESU led 7-0 at halftime and held that advantage until quarterback John White ran for a touchdown with 13 minutes left in the game. The extra point was blocked.

The Falcons got the ball back with less than two minutes to play. They drove from their own eight to the ESU 13 and brought out McNamara, who was attempting his first collegiate field goal. Following two ESU timeouts, McNamara converted the game-winning field.

The wind and rain was steady throughout the game forcing both teams to alter their game plans. The Warriors ran the ball 36 times and Bentley 24 and the teams combined for 17 punts.

ESU tailback Matt Brunetti was the leading rusher with 24 carries for 92 yards while quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger rushed 12 times for 59 yards. Terwilliger completed 10 of 21 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, the 38th straight game in which he has throw for a score.

Luis Cotto carried 20 times for Bentley for 81 yards and quarterback John White completed 15 of 32 passes for 152 yards.

ESU linebacker Fred Rice made eight tackles and had two tackles for losses while end Greg Thoman had seven stops.

The Warriors opened the scoring with six minutes left in the first half. Following a Bentley punt, the Warriors drove 57 yards in nine plays for the early lead. Terwilliger connected with LeRyan Dallas for eight yards on the first play and Brunetti carried on four of the next six plays to get the ball to the Bentley 14. Terwilliger and Dallas connected again for eight yards and then Joe Kircher caught his first career touchdown pass, a four-yard strike. Eric Petters kicked the PAT.

Neither team able to generate much offense until the Falcons scored their first touchdown.

Bentley forced a turnover and took over at the ESU 45. An ESU penalty advanced the ball five yards and White hit Kevin Doherty for four yards to get the ball to the 25. On the next play, White ran for a 25-yard score with 13:33 left in the game. The extra point was blocked and ESU kept its advantage.

ESU forced a turnover on the next Bentley possession when Nick Artinger's hit jarred loose the ball and Michael Wiggins recovered it.

The Warriors were unable to capitalize though and punted. The two teams exchanged punts and Bentley had one last chance.

Taking over at their own eight-yard line following a punt by Nick Krut, the Falcons used 11 plays to go 79 yards for the win. White connected with Doherty twice for 22 yards on the drive, the second of which put the ball at the ESU 13. White then spiked the ball to stop the clock and set up McNamara's heroics.

Warrior Head Coach Denny Douds

Denny Douds begins his 33rd season as East Stroudsburg University football coach following two straight NCAA playoff appearances and on the brink of his 200th career win.

Last year, the Warriors advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the second consecutive year and third time overall. ESU wrapped up 2005 with an 11-3 record (the school record for wins) and won their first Northeast Regional title with a win over C.W. Post.

The senior football coach in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference continues to bring the same love and enthusiasm for coaching young men as when he took over as head coach in 1974. He heads into his 33rd year in charge of the Warriors' program and 41st season on the coaching staff.

Last time out for LHU

The theme for the non-conference portion of the 2006 Lock Haven University football (0-1) season is to play tough competition early to prepare for the ultra-competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division. It doesn't get much tougher than Division I-AA semifinalist Southern Illinois University (1-0) who showed it tonight (Aug. 31) in a 49-0 win over the Bald Eagles.

The Salukis boast one of the top tailbacks in the nation in Walter Payton Award Watchlist member Arkee Whitlock. The speedster didn't disappoint, rushing for 134 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown.

The overmatched Bald Eagles hung tight with the talented SIU squad, dropping the second quarter by just a 3-0 margin and allowing only a 17-0 halftime score. Whitlock capped the first drive of the game with a 34-yard scoring scamper and after an LHU drive that picked up a first down and neared midfield, Saluki quarterback Nick Hill ran for 40 yards and the 14-0 first quarter lead.

LHU got some help from a few Saluki penalties on the next drive, its first into opposing territory. Unable to convert on a third-and-seven from the SIU 49, the Bald Eagles punted it back to Southern Illinois.

Freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) captained a drive into Southern Illinois territory in the second quarter, but stalled at the 38 for another punt. On the next possession, LHU benefited from a bad punt snap for a drive starting on the SIU 42. The pocket collapsed on DiPaolo on a third-and-five, and another punt ensued.

SIU came out blazing in the second half, scoring on both of its third-quarter touches for a 32-0 lead after three. Two more scores and a field goal in the fourth quarter ended the game.

While the Bald Eagles were out-gained on total yards 500-102, plenty of positives came from the meeting with the Salukis. LHU played clean football, not turning the ball over and committing just two penalties for 10 yards, both stats that will transfer well in PSAC play.

Senior tailback Chelstan Anderson II (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) ran well, covering 61 yards on 18 carries, a 3.4 per carry clip.

DiPaolo split the majority of the QB snaps with senior Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg). Wile completed four passes for 20 yards, and DiPaolo was good on two for 10 yards. The leading target was junior fullback Adam Andrasko (Hawk Run, Pa./West Branch) who had two grabs for 13 yards.

Junior Corey Gildea (Holidaysburg, Pa./Holidaysburg) led all game tacklers with 11, including seven solo. Safety-mate David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville) finished two behind with nine. Senior Derek Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) led the Bald Eagle linebackers with six stops, and brother Dustin Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) paced the line with four.

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.

Lock Haven Opens Up With DI-AA Loss, 49-0

September 1, 2006

CARBONDALE, IL - The theme for the non-conference portion of the 2006 Lock Haven University football (0-1) season is to play tough competition early to prepare for the ultra-competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division. It doesn't get much tougher than Division I-AA semifinalist Southern Illinois University (1-0) who showed it tonight (Aug. 31) in a 49-0 win over the Bald Eagles.

The Salukis boast one of the top tailbacks in the nation in Walter Payton Award Watchlist member Arkee Whitlock. The speedster didn't disappoint, rushing for 134 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown.

SIU came out blazing in the second half, scoring on both of its third-quarter touches for a 32-0 lead after three. Two more scores and a field goal in the fourth quarter ended the game.

Senior tailback Chelstan Anderson II (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) ran well, covering 61 yards on 18 carries, a 3.4 per carry clip.

DiPaolo, Anderson, Wile, Andrasko, Gildea, Show, and the Harsch brothers will return to action Saturday, Sept. 7 as they travel to No. 11 East Stroudsburg University for a 6 p.m. start.

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.

LHU Battles D1-AA Powerhouse Southern Illinois University in Opener

August 28, 2006

The Lock Haven University football team kicks off the 2006 season Thursday and the Bald Eagles continue to play tough competition early to prepare for the ultra-competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division.

On the slate for the week is Southern Illinois University a semifinalist in last season's Division I-AA Playoffs. The game, slotted for a 8 p.m. eastern start, is also the first of the season for the Salukis. Live stats and an intertet broadcast will be available on SIU's site at SIUSalukis.com.

Scouting the Salukis

Southern Illinois University enters today's contest ranked No. 17 in the Sports Network Top-25 Preseason poll of Division I-AA squads. They were also picked to finish fourth in the Gateway Conference preseason rankings, behind the University of Northern Illinois, Youngstown State University and Illinois State University.

The entire Saluki offensive backfield made it on the all-conference preseason team, flanked by three others. Tailback Arkee Whitlock and fullback J.T. Wise were joined by 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman Will Justice on the offensive side, while senior defensive lineman Lorenzo Wims and return specialist Craig Turner also found spots on the squad.

Southern Illinois Head Coach Jerry Kill

Before Jerry Kill arrived at Southern Illinois in 2001, the Salukis had never won a Gateway Conference championship. Now, they've won three straight. They had been to the playoffs only once in school history. Now they've gone to four. The team has set more school records and reeled in more accolades than anyone could've imagined.

Entering his sixth year at the helm of Southern Illinois, Kill has guided the Salukis to three-straight Gateway Conference championships and I-AA Playoff appearances.

In 2005, the Salukis beat Eastern Illinois to win their first
playoff game since 1983. In 2004, the Salukis spent 10 weeks atop the I-AA polls, and Kill was named the winner of the Eddie Robinson Award honoring the Coach of the Year in I-AA.

The list of accomplishments by the 2004 Saluki squad is remarkable. The defense ranked #1 in the nation in points allowed, while the offense ranked #3 in points scored. The team set a record for consecutive home wins with 12 and broke numerous statistical records on offense and defense.

Up next for Southern Illinois

The Salukis take on the Big Ten's Indiana University Saturday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. in Bloomington.

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.

Lock Haven Bald Eagles Hoping To Improve in 2006

Auguest 28, 2006

By BILL ALBRIGHT

LOCK HAVEN, PA - When John Klacik was hired as the Lock Haven University football coach just prior to the start of the 2005 season, he was forced to play with the cards that were already dealt to him. The result of that campaign was a 2-9 overall mark that saw the Bald Eagles winless at 0-6 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division.

With that one year of LHU experience under his belt, a solid group of holdovers from last year plus a good recruiting class, Klacik and his staff are hoping for bigger and better things from the Bald Eagles in 2006.

"One advantage we will have coming into this season compared to last year is that our guys will know what to expect," said Klacik. "Nothing is going to be a surprise to them as to what we ask them to do. As for the newcomers, they will be coming in with a clean slate so they won't know anything about what happened at Lock Haven in the past so I think that should give us a chance to build on what is coming in."

Although the Bald Eagles worked with a small group of athletes in terms of numbers in the spring, Klacik feels that group is one composed of athletes who want to play the game.

"I think what happened with our program this spring is the guys that hung with us through our first year realized what it is going to take to turn the place around. They worked real hard and I was extremely happy with the amount of team building we were able to do. We might have had small numbers, but we certainly didn't have small effort. As a coach, I think the kind of effort you are getting from your players is what you look for. I feel good about the group we had in the spring and the group we have coming in so now we can start focusing on getting a team built."

Whether a coach has a group of veterans or a group composed largely of "rookies" heading into the season, there are always those areas of greatest concern that need to be dealt with.

"I think the biggest area, especially when you are trying to start a program, is that you need to have everyone understand what the vision is in what we are trying to accomplish and then they have to understand what their respective roles are," explained Klacik. "I think that is starting to happen because guys are understanding where they fit in and what they need to do to make themselves better which will make our team better. I think that is the thing you build on to try and improve each and every day."

Two of the veterans Klacik and his staff can call upon for leadership both on and off the field in 2006 will be a pair of redshirt seniors in linebacker Jonathan Nalewak and tailback Chelstan Anderson II.

As for the Bald Eagles being able to play an improved style of football this season, both Nalewak and Anderson pointed to the same thing. Improved attitude and being consistent on both sides of the ball.

"I thought we could have a few more games just because the way the defense played, but injuries hurt us a lot throughout the season," said Nalewak. "Some times we would play well, but at other times, we seemed to be playing on our lowest level and I am not sure why that happened. I think a lot of that has to do with the players being confident in what they can do and when you have to play a lot of freshmen as we did, that confidence sometimes isn't there. We played IUP very tough, but you just can't do that one week and forget about it. You have to do that every time you go onto the field."

Ditto Anderson.

"I think one way to be consistent is to be able to keep the true starters on the field and to do that, you have to stay relatively injury free," noted Anderson. "Although we are going to have a lot of freshmen coming in, I think we can have the depth we need to be competitive because these kids believe in themselves. In some of the previous years, some of the players didn't have the motivation and desire to fight for their brother next to them. This year, I truly believe we have a group of guys who are willing to bleed Crimson & White as well as for the guy next to him because that is the type of dedication and heart it is going to take to be a winner. We just didn't have that in some of the previous years and it showed."

One of the biggest factors that can also play a big role in the development of a program is the support from parents, the administration, the student body and the fans. For Klacik, his only hope is that it keeps improving each and every year.

"You always hope that it improves and you always keep working hard to help along those lines," he said. "We have done a good job of getting out into our community and the community wants us to be successful as does our university. It was good last year and every day it seems to be headed in the right direction."

Even though the Bald Eagles are going to be a young team, Klacik is hoping to see improvement from his athletes as the season moves along.

"I think this is going to be an important summer for us and we are still going to be a young football team come this fall," Klacik said. "I think the athletes are going to be a fun bunch of guys to work with and I know that our coaches are excited about the guys we have coming in as well as those who return. I am looking forward to it, and other than having coached on a couple of national championships teams at Youngstown State, this is the most excited I have ever been about a young group to work with. I just can tell by being around them, they are a group that wants to absorb everything and they want to learn how to play football. That is the important thing if we are going to turn this program around."

The Bald Eagles play a tough schedule right from the opener against Southern Illinois, but Klacik feels that playing good competition is the way you become better as an individual player and as a team.

"I have always been of the belief that you don't get tougher unless you play tough people," he said. "Southern Illinois is tough and Bloomsburg is one of the best Division II teams in the country and that is the type of team we want to have on our schedule. The simple fact is that you are not going to find out where you compare to those teams unless you play them. I am happy with our schedule, and I think that if we continue to improve and do some of the little things we need to take care of, we can be competitive."

LHU Preseason Jersey Scrimmage

August 28, 2006

The Lock Haven University football team held its first jersey scrimmage of its 2006 pre-season camp. In a little over two hours of practice, the offense was able to score three touchdowns while the defense snared three interceptions.

"It's the first game-like situation of the pre-season," said head coach John Klacik. "I thought all the kids handled it well and brought a lot of intensity and hustle to the field. We won't be able to judge the player's performance fully until we watch the footage of today's scrimmage."

Highlighting the scrimmage was freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) who had a hand in all three touchdowns. The first was a two yard rush that followed a 55-yard reception by classmate Ryan Leaf (West Chester, Pa./West Chester Henderson). DiPaolo then scrambled for a 32-yard touchdown a few plays later. His final score came on a 10-yard hitch route ran by junior Neil Herman (Coatesville, Pa./Delaware County C.C.) who turned the 10-yard gain into a 31-yard touchdown reception.

The defense had its fair share of highlights including three interceptions and five sacks. Freshman Aaron Pryer (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic) took a Troy Wile, Jr. (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) pass and returned it 50-yards to go along with his two tackles. Fellow freshman Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) picked-off DiPaolo for a 28-yard return and added a tackle. The final interception was by freshman Joe Sipple (White Haven, Pa./Coughlin) who intercepted Josh Watters' (Olyphant, Pa./Bishop O'Hara) pass.

Senior Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) led the way with 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles. Local standout Tom Meyers (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) led the team with seven tackles and added a sack of his own. Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) contributed 3.5 tackles including one sack.

Overall DiPaolo led the way both on the ground and by air, rushing 10 times for 26 total yards and going 7-of-12 for 104 yards and a touchdown in the passing game. The defense prevailed in the overall competition gaining the right to wear the home jerseys during practice.

Supplied by Sports Information Director Al Weston.