September 1, 2008 - Geneva College
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September 1, 2008

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Seton Hill University Griffins (1-0)
vs.

Geneva College Golden Tornadoes (0-0)

Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 7:00 pm

Reeves Field - Beaver Falls, PA

It is finally time to raise the curtain on the 2008 college football season. Geneva will look to build upon a very successful initial campaign in NCAA Division III and the Presidents′ Athletic Conference. An 8-3 overall record, including a mark of 7-1 against PAC opponents, has the Golden Tornadoes faithful anticipating another successful season on the gridiron. Head coach Geno DeMarco begins his 16th at the helm for the Golden Tornadoes and will look to some new faces to guide the way in 2008.

After seeing significant playing time last season, sophomore quarterback and St. Petersburg, Florida native David Girardi will guide the Golden Tornado offense. Girardi will have numerous weapons in the form of the talented senior receiver trio of Brian Dvorsak, Luke Duriancik and Scott Koenig. These players were Geneva′s leaders in receptions in the 2007 season. Geneva′s running game will have their oppponents guessing. The carries will be split between

sophomore Gerard Muschette, senior Matt Dean and junior Matt Barge, who has transferred over from Mount Union. Dean led the Golden Tornadoes in rushing yards last season. This committee is hoping to replace 588 yards graduated quarterback Bobby Bondi compiled during the 2007 season.

Defensively Geneva will be led by senior linebacker Zach Feltrop, who lead the team with 105 tackles last season. The secondary returns junior cornerback Rich Kolesar. Kolesar had a team leading three interceptions during the 2007 campaign. Junior defensive end Brian Wilson will anchor the defensive line. New starters on defense will include local products sophomore linebacker Chance Kelosky from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania and freshman cornerback Jason Kelderhouse from Bessemer, Pennsylvania.

Seton Hill comes into tonight′s action having defeated Slippery Rock University 27-20 last weekend. The Griffins opened the Joel Dolinski era in style as running back Antwan Jones rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Seton Hill scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take control of the game. Derek Thompson scored on a 31 yard TD pass from David Wess and RJ Butler scored from 36 yards out with just under ten minutes left in the game. Wess was 13-17 for 141 yards and a touchdown in his first game action for the Griffins. Steve Trent led the defensive surge with seven tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. For his efforts, Trent was named the WVIAC defensive player of the week.

Next week Geneva will go to Maryland for a road game against Salisbury University. Salisbury University was ranked in the NCAA D-III top 10 last season and it also qualified for the D-III national playoffs. Seton Hill will also continue on the road to play former MSFA foe Walsh University in Canton, Ohio.

NOTES:

*Genevaand Seton Hill have met just one time which came back in 2006. The Golden Tornadoes prevailed over the Griffins by the score of 9-7. A Justin Sciarro to Mike Lehman 6-yd touchdown proved to be the difference. Geneva′s defense forced three fumbles and held Seton Hill to just 190 yards of total offense.

*Genevahas a record of 7-8 in season openers during the Geno DeMarco era, which began with the 1993 season. Last year, the Golden Tornadoes defeated ThielCollegein Greenville, PAby the score of 20-3 to kickoff the 2007 season. The last time Genevaopened the season at home was in 2006 when the Golden Tornadoes dropped a 7-0 decision to Thiel.

*Geno DeMarco begins his 16th season as Geneva′s head coach with tonight′s contest. Only DeMarco′s predecessor Gene Sullivan spent more time on the sidelines for Geneva. Sullivan′s career as a head coach spanned 17 years from 1976-1992.

Sep 1, 2008