STORYLINES
A FORMAL INTRODUCTION
The Warriors and Falcons meet for the first time ever this weekend, as Lackawanna looks to join Division II and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Lackawanna becomes the 65th different opponent ESU football has faced in its 97-season history.
BOUNCEBACK SPOT
ESU is coming off its first loss of the season before the bye week to No. 13 Slippery Rock, 59-35. The Warriors moved the ball well for the majority of the game, but a couple of dry spells mixed with the inability to stop the run proved costly in their upset attempt. In each of the last three seasons, after the Warriors suffered their first loss of the year, they were able to recover with a win in the following week.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
What worked well, and what has been improving weekly through each of the first three games, has been the passing offense. Senior QB Harrison Susi threw for a career-high 213 yards on 13 completions, including a 79-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jalen Cook for his longest-career completion. The deep ball continues to be an element of the Warriors’ offense that prevents defenses from playing up on the line of scrimmage, where ESU’s offense really gets to work. The Warriors have rushed for over 240 yards in each game this year, averaging 250.3 per game and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground.
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER
The Warriors have rushed for over 240 yards in each game this year, averaging 250.3 per game and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground. The emergence of junior RB Cade Sawyer complements the established group of Susi, senior RB Ajani Walker, and fifth-year RB Deante Crawford as the four main rushers for ESU. Susi has led the Warriors in rushing twice, while Sawyer did so against Pace, with all three running backs averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry. Sawyer has ripped off a long touchdown run in each of the last two games, posting a blistering 10.9 yards per carry on the season. Walker’s been no slouch himself, going for 7.3 yards each time he gets the rock, while Crawford has been the go-to back in the red zone with three touchdowns to his name this year.
OL STABILITY
One factor that’s helped ESU establish the run has been their starting offensive line staying healthy through the season’s first three games. This time last year, ESU had to use three different combinations to open the campaign with 7 different linemen. This season’s group of senior AJ Dilks, senior Hunter Seubert, junior Kale Kumernitsky, fifth-year Pat Reynolds, and junior Fynn McDonald have consistently been on the field leading the way for ESU, starting each contest so far.
THIRD DOWNS
On offense, ESU has been one of the best teams in the country at converting third downs. The Warriors rank 23rd in Division II and second in the PSAC with a 50.0% conversion rate, going 18-36. However, on the other side of the ball, it’s been one of the Warriors’ biggest weaknesses early in the year. They’re allowing opposing offenses to convert 55.3% of their attempts on 38 tries, which ranks 151st in the country.
DEFENSIVE WOES
The Warriors haven’t found their footing on defense yet, as coming up with stops has been their biggest challenge this year. They’re allowing an average of 245.7 passing yards per game, which is 125th in Division II. After holding Seton Hill and Pace to a combined 3.3 yards per carry in the first two games, Slippery Rock ran all over ESU, going for 344 yards and 8.1 per attempt. The Warriors could view this as a get-right game, coming out of the bye week with extra time for preparation against a Lackawanna offense that has struggled to move and protect the ball. The Falcons are averaging 259.3 yards of total offense per game, combined with an average turnover margin of -2.0. They’re coming off a game last week against Clarion where QB David Naniewicz threw four interceptions, and the week before that, Naniewicz and QB Laivon Balthazar combined for 50 passing yards on 9-20 passing.
SLOW START
Through three games, the Falcons have yet to find consistent success in any area on offense. Though they’ve had two games of over 140 rushing yards, they haven’t had a game where they average over 4.0 yards per carry yet. RB Jalen Fletcher has been their go-to back, carrying it 39 times for 172 yards, accounting for both of Lackawanna’s rushing touchdowns. Under center, Naniewicz and Balthazar have both gotten opportunities, though neither has separated themselves from the other as the QB1. Naniewicz has completed 29 passes in 57 attempts, throwing two touchdowns but seven interceptions. Balthazar has had a little under half the reps of his teammate, going 15-25 with an interception but no touchdowns.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Both ESU and Lackawanna have distributed the ball evenly throughout their receiving corps, with 11 different Warriors catching passes and the Falcons targeting seven different receivers. Fifth-year WR Elijah Ford leads the way for ESU, hauling in six receptions for 160 yards, breaking out as a deep threat and a reliable short-yardage target. WR Keaon Jenkins has been both Naniewicz’ and Balthazar’s favorite target, recording 10 receptions for 161 yards.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
For Lackawanna, the Falcons only have four players with double-digit tackles: LBs Brodie Daugherty and Noah Ewell, and DBs Rashon Giddens and Steven Jenkins. Daugherty leads the team with 20 total tackles, an even split of 10 solo tackles and 10 assists, while Giddens is the team leader with 3.5 TFL. Second on the team in the latter category is DL Savion Travis-Dukes with 2.5, as the Falcons have six players with at least 2.0 TFL. However, even with 17.0 TFL, the Falcons have only sacked the quarterback three times. In the secondary, DB Jahmeil Brown has the only Lackawanna interception of the year, while DB Brandon Massie leads the team with four PBUs.
YOUTH DAY
The ESU football team is holding its annual Youth Day celebration this weekend, offering free admission for any youth athlete who attends the game wearing their team’s jersey. The promotion is also extended to youth band members, who can attend the game for free by wearing their band shirt. Up to two guardians per youth athlete or band member can get in for a discounted general admission rate of $5.
