Glenville State out for seventh victory
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GLENVILLE -- A year ago at about this time, senior day didn't turn out too well for Glenville State College as the Pioneers were upended by Charleston, 28-6.
Fast forward more than 365 days and now first-year GSC head coach Mike Kellar and his staff will be attempting to send this year's seniors out on a great note if the G-men (6-4, 5-4) can take care of business starting at 1 p.m. Saturday inside Morris Stadium when Frostburg State invades for a Mountain East Conference showdown.
"It's been fine," Kellar said of this week's preparations for the most part after the Pioneers upset then No. 6 Notre Dame College on the road last week in overtime, 23-20. "Getting the guys to refocus after the win was our biggest concern going into the week and having an opponent like Frostburg, it really hasn't been difficult to get refocused.
"We've followed Frostburg on video all year because of the schedule. We've watched them a lot and had a lot of respect for them since week one. They are going to be a tough out, a very good opponent."
Rewind back to the preseason, the Bobcats of head coach DeLane Fitzgerald were picked to finish ninth in the MEC.
FSU (8-2, 7-2) is coming off a 35-25 senior day non-conference victory against Kentucky Wesleyan. The prior week, Notre Dame trumped the Bobcats, 35-13.
In last week's triumph, tailback Gavin Lavat rushed 22 times for 145 yards and two scores. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard plateau and on the season FSU is 5-0 when he rushes for 100 or more yards.
Will Brunson keys the attack and hit on 14 of 26 attempts last week for 179 yards and a pair of TDs. Terrell Brown (6-113) and Lincoln Ikwubuo, who had both scoring grabs and finished with six catches for 54 yards, were his top targets.
The GSC defense enters its final game ranked second nationally in turnovers gained, third in picks and fourth in defensive touchdowns.
Pioneer defense back Delonte Hood has eight interceptions on the season and that ranks him tied for 3rd in D2. He's also tied for third in passes defended. GSC linebacker Dom Cizuaskas, who was named the MEC Defensive Player of the Week, is sixth in the country in solo tackles, 12th in total stops and is tied for 30th in passes defended. He's the only linebacker listed among the top 50 in passes defended.
Junior wideout Javon Butler, who was tabbed the MEC Offensive Player of the Week, had one of his best days as a Pioneer against NDC. Aside from throwing for a touchdown to open the scoring on a trick play to former Clay County Panther Caleb Wynn, Butler also hauled in a pair of touchdown passes from Jaylen McNair, which included the game-winning 25-yarder in overtime.
"We were able to run a little bit better on first down and open up our quick game and play-action game," Kellar said of last week, which saw Mario Pender held to 45 yards on 18 totes. "It gave us some short yardage plays and we had a couple fourth down conversions.
"The ball has to bounce your way some and the ball bounced our way and our kids made the plays when they needed to be made. It's as simple as that."
Former Gilmer County standout Austin Ratliff, who is still tied for second in the country with two kickoff returns for touchdowns, will be one of many Pioneer seniors playing their final game. That includes kicker/punter Justin Watts. Not only do his 20 field goals lead the land, but his 41.1 yards per punt average ranks 22nd nationally.
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com