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Tri-County Sunday
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CLARION -- When the Clarion University football team hits the field for the first time in 2007 at 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Tiffin at Memorial Stadium, there will be a distinct District 9 flavor to the Golden Eagles.
That's because 11 members of this year's team hail from District 9 schools, including two probable defensive starters - senior Kyle Cathcart from Clarion and sophomore Kory Kusick from Karns City.
Head coach Jay Foster and his coaching staff, including recruiting coordinator Chris Weibel, have done a good job of keeping those District 9 players who can help a PSAC program. Weibel has has some District 9 ties of his own - he is an East Brady native who played at East Brady in the Bulldogs final season of football.
The 11 current D-9 players at Clarion are the most D-9 players at any PSAC school this season.
"We recruit players who we believe can help us win in the PSAC," Foster said. "If they are local (players) then we believe they should be here."
There is little question that some of the District 9 players will play key roles for the Golden Eagles this season.
Cathcart, a 2001 graduate of Clarion High School, was a starter at defensive end last year and recorded 32 tackles, six tackles for a loss and three sacks in his first season in the gridiron since his senior year in high school (he started at Penn State as a wrestler before transferring to Clarion to wrestle and then decided to play football instead).
"I realized how much I missed football and how much I loved it," Cathcart said. "I wanted to challenge myself, and it has really worked out for me. I want to thank coach for giving me this opportunity."
Foster considers Cathcart a key member of a defensive line that will be expected to lead the Golden Eagles defense this season.
"Kyle is expected to be a huge contributor for us," Foster said. "He is a tough, hard-nosed kid who is a leader, and now he has some experience."
Kusick is another player who got some experience last season playing in five games before an injury cut his season short. He ended the year with seven tackles including two tackles for loss and one sack.
"Kory is probably going to start at defensive tackle," Foster said. "He is a tremendous worker and a tough kid."
Another D-9 player who saw time last season and is expected to contribute this year is sophomore wide receiver Kyle Mahoney from Elk County Catholic. Mahoney had three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown last season.
"Kyle is a tough, intelligent kid," Foster said. "He will play a key role at wide receiver."
Two true freshmen from Curwensville should also see playing time this year - Nick Sipes and Shawn Sopic.
Sipes, who last season became the all-time leading rusher in District 9 history, will play on the defensive side of the football at safety - he was a linebacker in high school, while Sopic, who was a quarterback and safety for the Golden Tide, will line up at safety for the Golden Eagles.
Neither player is slated to start, but both should see time on special teams and may get some time at safety according to Foster.
"Both are intelligent, hard-working players," Foster said. "Sopic is better against the pass and Sipes is more physical."
A couple of District 9 players may or may not see playing time this season, including red-shirt freshman wide out Shad Boshert from St. Marys and red-shirt freshman defensive lineman Chad Dolby from Clarion.
"Shad is on the bubble," Foster said. "He is a solid receiver but is battling a talented young group of receivers. Chad is a hard worker but will struggle to get time this year because of the experienced players in front of him."
Four D-9 kids will probably end up red-shirting this year including junior tight end Matt Foradora, who was a second-team PSAC-West selection last season after catching 24 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns in his first season at tight end.
The other players likely to red-shirt are all true freshmen including offensive linemen Eli Morres from Brookville and Bob Beidl from Clarion-Limestone and defensive lineman Robert Cooney from Smethport.
"All three of those players have talented veterans at their positions in front of them that are tough to move out," Foster said. "But they all can and should play here down the line."
