Clarion, PA- The West Chester Golden Rams notched their first victory of the 2006 season against the Clarion Eagles on Saturday night. The play of the defense has become a theme for this team early in the season. Despite surrendering 21 first half points to the Eagles, the Golden Rams held Clarion off the board in the second half. Unlike the opening two games of the season where the offense couldn’t establish any sort of momentum, the group led by Bill Zwaan J.R. did enough to get the job done in week three. Bill Zwaan JR started his second consecutive game under center for the Golden Rams and was much improved over his performance against the Delaware Blue Hens a week ago. Thanks in large part to Mike Washington’s two grabs for 76 yards and a touchdown, Zwaan looked confident en-route to an 11-17 195 yard, two touchdown performance. West Chester’s running backs also hit the ground running in this one.
A sight for sore eyes for Golden Rams fans came early on in this game when this team finally showed the ability to establish the running game. While the Eagles received a heavy dose of Osagie Osande and Brent Steinmetz in this game, it was another Golden Ram running back who stole the show. Anthony Millard entered the fourth quarter with 24 yards rushing before breaking off a career long 65-yard touchdown scamper through the heart of Clarion’s defense.
The Golden Rams would prevail and notch their first win of the season, 49-21 in Clarion, but it didn’t come without a price. Steinmetz left the game with a high ankle sprain and will miss 2-3 weeks of action, and Osande made an early exit with a bruised shoulder, but should be healthy entering next week’s showdown against Shippensburg at Farrell Stadium. The game can be heard live on 91.7 FM and worldwide on www.wcur.fm beginning with a pre-game show at 5:30 p.m..