Clarion Golden Eagles

2013 Record: 4-7 (2-5)

Head Coach: Jay Foster (27-61, 9th year)
Defensive Coordinator: Foster
Offensive Coordinator: Chris Weibel

Top returning players: DE Julian Howsare, DT Matt Shuey, RB Bobby Thomas, DB Corey McNamara, TE Mike Deitrick

The upside: The crossover schedule is very favorable
The downside: The Golden Eagles don't play at home until Sept. 27



Clarion, more than any team in the PSAC, needs to forget that 2013 ever happened. A season that started with so much promise and a 3-0 record, quickly crumbled and resulted in a 1-7 nosedive. The loss of veteran QB Ben Fiscus just six quarters into the season was devastating for the offense. Over the last six weeks of the season, the Golden Eagles scored more than 14 points just once - against Seton Hill. Fiscus was the leader of the team in the huddle and in the locker room. His absence caused a major regression for the offense, which had made huge strides in the passing game the year before.

A fresh start is exactly what they need, and provided they can establish consistency at quarterback, they should be well equipped to regain competitive form. The offensive line has a solid core that will be led by seniors Ryan Barrick, Matt Kundrick and Tyler Edwards. RB Bobby Thomas showed why he was converted from defensive back to running back with a respectable 4.2ypc average and 7 touchdowns last year. He will be back for his senior year along with Travis Day, who ran for 303 yards on just 66 carries. Just about every player that caught a pass last year will be in the lineup again and the best of the bunch is TE Mike Deitrick (24 catches, 239 yards). If they can manage to distribute the ball, the Golden Eagles have talent and experience at the skill positions.

The X Factor on offense is Darelle Carson. Carson was put in a tough situation when he was thrust into the starting quarterback role last year and the inexperience showed. The Freshman hit just 43% of his passes and threw more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (5). He did show his athletic ability though and I have to think that there is a place for him on field even if he is not named starting quarterback. Transfer Connor Simmons is likely to be Carson's competition for the QB spot, Although it does appear that Carson is the undisputed number at this point in camp. Having nine starts to his credit, and a full off season to prepare should put Carson in a much better position.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles are fortunate to have the defending PSAC West defensive player of the year back for his senior season. DE Julian Howsare was a terror last year with 83 total tackles, including 16.5 for loss of yardage, 9.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 3 blocked punts and 1 touchdown. Howsare will be on the All-America watch list and is definitely a threat to repeat as POY in the PSAC West. Howsare is joined on the defensive line by DT Matt Shuey (2nd team PSAC West). Three starting linebackers and three DBs also return to the lineup, including the team's leading tackler, DB Cory McNamara. Jay Foster is looking for more physicality and a more aggressive style of play on defense. The experience is there, now it's a matter of execution. A little more support from the offense will help this unit as well.

Outlook
The first three games of the season are all on the road, but two of them of very winnable. The best measurement of where this team is at will come in weeks 4-6 (Gannon, Mercyhurst, Edinboro). These are the teams they need to beat if they want to claw towards the middle of the pack in the PSAC West.