California (Pa.) will have some local contributors as the Vulcans attempt to win their third consecutive NCAA Division II Super Regional 1 this afternoon at West Liberty State University.
Bishop McCort graduate Avery Hawkins is a defensive backs coach for Cal.
Former Crushers kicker Marc Domonkos is a junior place-kicker for the 10-3 Vulcans after transferring from Lock Haven.
Greater Johnstown High School graduate Mike Kush is a junior offensive guard who rotates into the lineup.
Conemaugh Valley’s Robert Gunby is a freshman safety who is out with an injury.
Richland graduate Tim Ripple, a true freshman, plays wide receiver for the Vulcans.
“Our team has been pretty special the last couple of years,” said Hawkins, the brother of former NFL defensive back Artrell Hawkins and current CFL receiver Andrew Hawkins. “The local kids have been good, and they’ve been an inspiration to other kids in Johnstown.”
Top-seeded and ninth-ranked West Liberty is 11-1 and will host the final at Russek Field. The Hilltoppers won a wild 84-63 game against Edinboro to advance.
Cal is hoping to continue a history of success in the regionals. In each of the past two seasons the Vulcans not only won the regional but went on to advance to the NCAA Division II Final Four. The Vulcans hold an 11-8 record in the all-time series against West Liberty but the teams haven’t played since 1993.
No. 22 California used a last-minute, fourth-quarter stop to beat No. 17 Shippensburg 26-21 a week ago in the second round of the Division II playoffs, securing their third straight regional title-game appearance.
The Vulcans typically finish strong. They have won 11 of their past 13 games in the month of November, dating to the 2005 season. This season, Cal won four games this month, including two NCAA playoff contests. California has won 51 of its past 60 games (.850).
College
Local grads helping Vulcans vie for title
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MAC honors Roberts
Forest Hills graduate and former Delweld MVP George Roberts was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year in baseball on Tuesday.
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Sentence given, but Rutgers webcam saga not over
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Paterno's family to get $13.4 million pension
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Paterno's family said Tuesday through a spokesman that Paterno's widow, Sue, would receive an initial payment of $10.1 million by the end of May, with the rest to be paid out over the next two years.
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O’Brien keeps message fresh in selling Penn State
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Even the invocation at the Johnstown Panther Club’s fifth annual spring event at Sunnehanna Country Club on Thursday night included a request for the teams to meet on the field again. -
Penn State coach stops in Altoona
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Don’t expect his tenure in Happy Valley to last 46 years. -
Shepherd takes WVIAC championship
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Mount falls in title game
Mount Aloysius’ Cinderella run through the AMCC playoffs came to an end Saturday, as the No. 6 seed Mounties fell to top-seeded La Roche 14-4 in the AMCC Championship game.
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Shepherd advances to title game
Shepherd advanced to the WVIAC Championship by defeating West Virginia State on Saturday at Point Stadium.
The conference title game will be played at 1 p.m. today at the Point. -
Two UPJ players earn WVIAC first-team honors
Pitt-Johnstown sophomore catcher Kyle Morrow and sophomore second baseman Jake Warner were named first-team All-WVIAC baseball, while senior outfielder Drew Westover and sopohomore right-hander Derek Younker each earned a spot on the second-team.
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