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).
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Local grads helping Vulcans vie for title
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Mountain Cats look to get Pecora closer to No. 500
In some ways, it’s the perfect time for Pitt-Johnstown wrestling coach Pat Pecora to be reflective.
After all, his eighth-ranked Mountain Cats will be holding their final home match this evening when Anderson visits at 7 p.m. Pecora will be saying goodbye to six seniors, which is always an emotional time for him.
But he’s not ready to look back on his legendary career, even as he closes in on his 500th career win. -
Judge sets May trial date in Sandusky abuse case
A judge said Friday he would decide soon whether to grant former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky greater freedom – and visits from his young grandchildren – while he awaits trial on child sex-abuse charges, but prosecutors countered that Sandusky’s home is not a safe place for children.
Judge John Cleland set a tentative trial date of May 14 for Sandusky and promised to rule quickly on a number of other issues, including dueling requests for changes to his bail restrictions. -
College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:
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Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive. -
South Florida rebounds with win over Pitt
South Florida’s Hugh Robertson combined a perfect night offensively with a stellar defensive performance that helped the Bulls rebound from their worst-ever Big East loss.
Robertson had a season-high 18 points and helped USF
(14-10, 7-4) hold Pittsburgh star Ashton Gibbs to a season-low four points in a 63-51 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night. Augustus Gilchrist added 10 points for the Bulls, who lost by 30 points at Georgetown last weekend. - Local sports in brief 2-9-2012
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Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.
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Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers dominate Seton Hill
Pat Pecora picked up his NCAA Division II record 498th career victory on Tuesday night, but just like almost every other one, he saw some things that his Pitt-Johnstown wrestling team could improve upon.
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Happy Valley readies itself for a new brand of football under Bill O’Brien
White placards with a set of rules were affixed to the glass doors of the players’ entrance at the Penn State football building about the time Bill O’Brien agreed to become the school’s next football coach.
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Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
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Mountain Cats look to get Pecora closer to No. 500








