Clarion Takes Down LHU, 48-20
CLARION, Pa. – Host Clarion University (2-0) got off to a fast start and the early scoring proved to be a major factor as the Lock Haven University football team (1-1) fell on the road, 48-20.
Clarion scored touchdowns on its first four offensive possessions of the game which helped the Golden Eagles jump out a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter. With 6:39 left in the first half, Clarion pushed the lead to 34-0 on its fifth TD of the opening half.
At halftime, Clarion led 34-7 behind 312 total first-half yards of offense.
Lock Haven’s late first-half TD came from Bryan Greene (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle). His 4-yard rush capped a three-play, 30-yard drive and put LHU on the board. Clarion led 34-7 after the Bald Eagle touchdown. The touchdown was setup by a Kahari Whitfield (Reading, Pa./Reading) interception. Whitfield secured the pick after an errant pass from Clarion quarterback Michael Proios, who was pressured by LHU’s Shaheed Salim (Washington, D.C./Ballou) on a full-speed rush. The TD came with 2:48 left in the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Clarion extended the lead to 41-7 early in the fourth quarter.
With 11:38 left in the game, LHU running back Chantz Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) punched in a touchdown on a 4-yard run. After the Swartz TD-run, Clarion led 41-14.
With Clarion leading 48-14, the Bald Eagles found the end zone again late in the game. Greene hauled in a 16-yard TD pass from Ethan Persa (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central). It marked the second touchdown of the game for Greene and capped the game’s scoring at 48-20 with 3:29 left in the contest.
Greene finished with five catches for 95 yards and Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) hauled in three catches for 65 yards.
Swartz carried the ball 14 times for 68 yards and a score. Lock Haven quarterback Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) rushed for 26 yards and threw for 94 yards.
Whitfield led the defense with eight tackles, including one for loss. He had two pass breakups and his interception set up the first Lock Haven TD.
Stevie Pugh (Coatesville, Pa/Coatesville) and Alex Welch (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) made seven tackles apiece and Austin Barber (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) had six.
For the second consecutive week, the Bald Eagles will play on the road as they head to Indiana (Pa.) University next Saturday, September 21. The Week 3 PSAC Crossover contest at IUP is set for a 4 p.m. game. This week, IUP was ranked No. 24 in the American Football Coaches’ Association national poll.
