After posting a 4-7 record last season, the Clarion Eagles are ready to start the 2013 season fresh. Clarion is returning eight starters on offense and 10 starters on defense. Offensively, they’ll be led a senior quarterback who is coming off of his best season as a stater, a trio of wide receivers, and a defensive player turned running back in the backfield. Defensively, they’ll be led by a strong defensive line, an improved linebacking corps, and a young secondary.
Here’s what to expect from the Eagles in 2013.
PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL RANKING: 7
OFFENSE
QB – Ben Fiscus – Fiscus, the senior leader on offense, is coming off his best season in the 2012 campaign. He completed 200 of 380 pass attempts for 2,480 yards and tossed 15 touchdowns. Fiscus can be a threat on the ground also, but focused more on being a passer in 2012. He’s ran for nearly 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career, ranking him 9th in All-Time Rushing at Clarion.
WR – Jon Reid – Reid is the speed guy for Clarion. He led the team with 52 grabs for 849 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. At 6-0, 185 pounds, Reid provides a decent target for his senior quarterback. The two should hook up quite a few times this season.
RB – Bobby Thomas – Thomas, who converted from the defensive side of the ball to the backfield last season, will be the returning starter at running back in 2013. In the 6 games that he was on the field, he rushed for 534 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had 156 yards and a score against LIU-Post in 2012. After spending time on the sideline because of injury in 2012, Thomas is looking to bounce back in 2013.
OL – The Clarion Eagles are returning four starters on the offensive line in 2013 (2 seniors, 2 juniors).
DEFENSE
DL – Julian Howsare – Howsare posted 58 tackles in 2012 with 14.0 sacks and 16.0 tackles-for-loss. He was a force on this defensive line, forcing 4 fumbles, 3 break-ups, and even blocked a kick. Going into 2013, his junior season, Howsare is expected only to improve for the Eagles.
LB – Brian Palmiere – Palmiere led the Clarion defense with 89 tackles in 2012. He also posted 3.0 sacks, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, and caused 2 fumbles. Palmiere is looking to be the leading force in the run game for the Eagles at the linebacker position. Going into his junior season, it’s only up from here on a defense that is looking to improve from last season.
DB – Matt Long – Long is a senior safety who is looking to improve on his 55-tackle performance in 2012. With those 55 stops, he added 5.0 tackles-for-loss. In a secondary full of younger guys who are getting better, Long provides some senior leadership from the safety position.
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