Phil Esposito
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Clarion junior wide receiver Matt Lehman (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell), who set a new single season record for td catches in 2015, was honored today as a First Team PSAC-West selection by a vote of the division’s head coaches.
Also chosen to the second team on offense were running back Delrece Williams (So. Homestead/Steel Valley) and placekicker Phil Esposito (Jr. Brockway). Defensive honorees included defensive linemen Matt Koerper (Jr. Mars/Seneca Valey), Andrew Fragale (Sr. Emporium/Cameron County) and Kwame Bell (Sr. Philadelphia/Roxborough).
“We congratulate these six players on the honors they received today,” said first year head coach Chris Weibel. “They all had outstanding seasons and deserve this recognition. Their leadership, hard work and sacrifice helped us have a strong season toward restoring the pride and passion of Clarion football.”
Lehman, a 6-3, 200-pound, junior, receiver, had one of the top seasons as a receiver in Clarion football history. Lehman had 67 grabs for 979 yards and 15 td’s. His 15 td catches broke the old record of 13 set by Alvin Slaughter in 1998. His 979 yards were third best behind only Slaughter’s 1,369 yards in 1998 and Bob Green’s 1,018 in 1984. His 67 catches were 5th best in a single season and Lehman played in 10 games, missing the IUP game with an injury. His top games this year were 9 catches, 151 yards, 4 td’s vs Gannon, and 7 grabs, 159 yards vs Seton Hill.
In his career he now has 105 catches for 1,678 yards and 18 td’s in 32 games played. He ranks 15th in career catches, 11th in receiving yards and tied for 4th in td catches. Terry McFetridge holds the career record for td catches with 25 (1982-85).
Delrece Williams, a 6-0, 200-pound, sophomore, running back rushed the pigskin 182 times for 978 yards (5.4 p/c) averaging 97.8 yards per game and had 6 rushing td’s. He also grabbed 31 passes for 465 yards and 4 td’s. His 978 yards was 8th most in a single season and his 97.8 yard average per game was 6th best in a season. His top game was against Seton Hill where he rushed for 201 yards and 1 td on 25 carries and hauled in 8 passes for 108 yards and 1 td.
In his two-year career Williams has now rushed the ball 264 times for 1,348 yards and 12 td’s, plus has 37 catches, 473 yards and 4 td’s. He currently ranks 18th in career rushing.
Esposito, a 6-0, 200-pound, junior, placekicker had his best year at Clarion. He booted 14 of 18 field goals in 2015, including his longest of 44 yards at Gannon. He also hit 42 of 47 PAT’s to score 84 points. His 14 field goals is third best in a single season behind Bill May’s 16 in 1979 and 15 in 1977.
In Phil’s three-year career he has booted 19 of 38 field goals and 70 of 75 PAT’s.
Koerper, a 6-4, 255-pound, junior, defensive tackle, also had his best season to date collecting 45 tackles, 13 tfl’s for -48 yards and 8 sacks for -39 yards. He also recovered 2 fumbles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. His top game was 6 hits and 4 sacks at Gannon.
Matt has played in 32 games at Clarion and has 94 career tackles, 21 tfl’s and 10 sacks.
Fragale, a 6-1, 285-pound, senior, noseguard, contributed 37 hits, 11 tfl’s (-41 yards), 6 sacks (-36 yards), 2 fumbles recovered and 1 caused. His top game was against IUP when he had 8 stops, 3 tfl’s and 2 sacks.
In his 4 year career, Andrew has played in 41 games, made 130 tackles, 38 tfl’s, 16 sacks, 6 fumbles caused, 5 recovered and 1 break-up.
Bell, a 6-3, 265-pound, senior, defensive end, had his second strong campaign on the defense. He collected 45 tackles, 7 tfl’s (-28 yards), 3 sacks (-17 yards), 3 fumbles recovered, 3 break-ups and 2 blocked kicks. His top games in 2015 were 9 tackles and 1 sack vs Mercyhurst and 2 sacks versus Edinboro.
In his career Kwame has played in 33 games and posted 106 tackles, 22 tfl’s, 12 sacks, 5 fumbles caused and 5 recovered, 3 beak-ups and 3 blocked kicks.
Clarion finished the season with a 7-4 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the PSAC-West under first year head coach Chris Weibel. Clarion actually started out 7-0, their best start since 1983 when the Eagles, coached by Gene Sobolewski, won the PSAC-West and PSAC Championships.
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