BY MIKE MASTOVICH
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).
