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Gators Set to Battle Wooster
October 18, 2007
Football Game Notes (PDF)
MEADVILLE, Pa. – After an impressive 24-0 victory at Kenyon last week, the Allegheny Gators (4-2, 2-1 NCAC) look to stop a three-game series losing streak with visiting Wooster (2-4, 2-1 NCAC) on Saturday.
Allegheny turned in their top performance of the season behind Drew Stelzer (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls), who completed 28-of-35 passes for 279 yards and a score. Freshman running back Matt Deivert (Russelton, Pa./Eisenhower) turned a lot of heads, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown on only five carries while Jim Lieb (Carrolltown, Pa./Northern Cambria) hauled in career-highs with 12 catches for 141 yards. The defense picked up their second shutout of 2007, picked off two passes, and held one of the nation’s most potent offenses to only 282 total yards.
“First and for most, you have to give our backup quarterback credit for his preparation and performance at Kenyon,” said Gator head coach Mark Matlak, referring to Stelzer. "Overall, our guys blocked well on offense. giving us a very balanced performance. The defense was very strong, shutting out a great offense. It was a really exciting effort to be a part of.”
The Gators will look for continued success this week behind Stelzer and fellow signal-caller T.J. Salopek (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin), who missed last week due to injury. On the year, Salopek has completed 65-of-110 pass attempts for 682 yards and four touchdowns while also totaling 110 yards on the ground with two scores. The ground game will feature Rodney Still (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin), the team’s leading rusher this fall with 262 yards and Devin Raynor (Bemus Point, N.Y./Maple Grove) with a team-high three rushing scores. Both quarterbacks have made Lieb their favorite target in 2007, as the senior has team-bests in receptions (37) and receiving yards (378). Jake Vite (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) and James Jones (Ellington, N.Y./Falconer Central) have provided depth at the wide-out position, each grabbing two touchdowns.
Defensively against Wooster, the Gators look to ride the momentum from last week’s shutout and will be led by linebacker Mateo Villa (Windsor, Ohio/Middlefield Cardinal), the squad’s leading tackler (58 total hits) and safety Andy Toner (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), who has 55 tackles and two sacks. They will be joined by linebackers Craig Lawrence (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) and Ross Simcoe (Coudersport, Pa./Coudersport). Lawrence leads the team in tackles for loss (7.5), sacks (4.0), and fumble recoveries (4) while Simcoe has totaled 54 stops in 2007. Cornerback Nick Jones (Blairsville, Pa./Homer Center) and safety Curt Anderson (Batavia, N.Y./Batavia Notre Dame) have been key in the secondary, grabbing three and two interceptions respectively.
“I am most proud of how our team has handled adversity this year, especially playing behind a backup quarterback last week,” noted Matlak. “Now, it’s a new week and we have to take things as they are and go about our business as usual. We are looking forward to the challenge this Saturday.”
The last two meetings with Wooster have been difficult ones to stomach, as the Scots won last year on a 42-yard Hail Mary pass at the end of the game after winning on a last-second field goal a season earlier.
“You have to try and put things in perspective,” said Matlak. “It’s a new year and we need to have the same effort and execution every week no matter who the opponent is. I don’t think we had that during the last two meetings, so that is where our main focus needs to be.”
Winners of two straight, the Scots are led on offense by quarterback Austin Holter (83-of-146/856 yds/6 TDs/7 INT), running backs Dustin Sheppard (114 car/394 yds/3 TDs) and Orlando Jones (35 car/152 yds/TD), and receivers Jordan Ferns (21 rec/214 yds/2 TDs) and Ben Schrock (20 rec/201 yds/2 TDs).
On defense, the Scots are paced by linebackers Greg Schermbeck (57 tackles/2.5 tfl), Trey Simmerman (55 tackles/5.0 tfl/2 sacks/2 INT/2 FF), and Matt DeGrand (50 tackles/7.0 tfl) and defensive lineman Pat Byrne (4.0 tfl/3.0 sacks).
“You look at Wooster and see a team very similar to ourselves,” said the head coach. “They are balanced on offense and are starting to get things together on defense after experiencing a large turnover from last year’s roster. They have played some quality opponents thus far and we know we are in for a tussle. I think special teams will be a big key this week - whoever can do positive things in that aspect will have a big advantage.”