Defense, Ford power Bald Eagles to win over Bloom, 26-18

LOCK HAVEN – John Ford (Etters, Pa./Shippensburg) rushed for a career-high 144 yards and the Bald Eagles defense recorded three interceptions in an all-around dominating performance, leading the Lock Haven University football team to a 26-18 win over perennial Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division power Bloomsburg University.

The win marked Lock Haven’s third of the season and third in the last four games. LHU moves to 3-6 overall on the season and the Bald Eagles leveled their PSAC East mark at 3-3. The three wins on the season are the most in a single season since LHU won three in 2013.

Today’s win over Bloomsburg (5-4, 3-3 PSAC East) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Huskies and it marked LHU’s first win over local-rival BU since 2003. Bloomsburg was picked third in the PSAC East preseason coaches’ poll and just two seasons ago played in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

The Bald Eagles defensive unit was one of the game’s biggest storylines. LHU picked off three Bloomsburg passes including two game-changing interceptions in the second half. Lock Haven also had three sacks and six total tackles for loss.

Kevin Chapple (Columbus, Ohio/Urbana) led the way with nine tackles, including eight solo stops, two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Rahjeir Miles-Eubanks (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and Isaiah Flamer (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) both recorded nine tackles apiece as well. Flamer and Christian Martir (Reading, Pa./Wyomissing) recorded interceptions, as did Javon Whitfield (Philadelphia/Simon Gratz), who returned his pick 39 yards, much to the delight of a packed Hubert Jack Stadium crowd.

Ford carried the ball a career-high 35 times. He finished with a career-high 144 yards ran for his fourth touchdown of the season.

Quarterback Caleb Walton (Manheim, Pa./Manheim) had another big game for Lock Haven and further cemented himself as one of the school’s all-time greatest players.

Walton threw for 242 yards and two TDs. He entered the game tied for the all-time record for career passing records and total touchdowns accounted for, but Walton now stands alone atop both lists. Walton now has 62 career passing touchdowns and 73 total TDs in his remarkable career.

Shawn Seif (Harrisburg, Pa./Kutztown Univ.) and backup quarterback Cameron Tobias (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley) both caught TD passes from Walton. Seif, one of the nation’s best receivers, finished with three catches for 92 yards.

With just 45 seconds left in the first quarter, the Bald Eagles dug deep into their bag of tricks and took a 7-0 lead. Tobias, the backup quarterback lined up under center while Walton lined up wide at receiver. Walton went into motion, darted back toward Tobias and took the handoff, before throwing the ball across the field to the route-running Tobias who made the catch and trudged into the end zone.

The two teams headed into the locker room at halftime tied at 7-7.

With 5:31 left in the third quarter, LHU extended the lead thanks to Ford’s 1-yard TD run that capped an eight-play, 54-yard drive. The Bald Eagles led 13-7 (PAT failed).

With 1:37 left in the third, the Bald Eagles made it 20-7 after Seif scored on a 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception.

It was all Bald Eagles and Lock Haven continued to pour it on thanks to a Lukius White(Philadelphia/Simon Gratz) touchdown run. White scored on a 4-yard jet sweep.

Bloomsburg rallied for 11 fourth-quarter points late, but it wasn’t enough as the Bald Eagles held strong and recorded the historic victory in front of the home fans.

Prior to the start of today’s game, the final home game of the 2016 season, LHU honored its seniors: Chapple, Miles-Eubanks, Walton, Seif, William Sensenderfer (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg), Dan Krupko (Homeworth, Ohio/Urbana University), Carmelo Cruz (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic), Ryan Fink (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone), Tyler Gallashaw (Philadelphia/West Catholic), Shane Rafter(Moorestown, N.J./Temple), Adrian Pritchett (Yonkers, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) and Jacob Jones(Williamsport, Pa./Montoursville).

The Bald Eagles head to East Stroudsburg for a Week 10 (November 5) game. Kickoff next weekend at ESU is set for 1:05 p.m.