Cal, Frostburg State play again in D-II playoffs
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
The culture created by PennWest California University football coach Gary Dunn and his staff includes the premise that playing a full 60 minutes isn’t a rule, but rather a requirement for all Vulcans players.
So many times, over the course of the past two seasons, California has needed nearly all of 60 minutes to dispatch some of their opponents.
Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium, the Vulcans will have another opportunity to prove they are certainly 60-minute men when they meet Frostburg State in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Kickoff is set for noon.
California (9-3) advanced with a victory over Virginia Union while Frostburg State defeated Johnson C. Smith.
The winner will play either Kutztown or Assumption.
California’s defense stood tall against Virginia Union and stopped its outstanding running back Curtis Allen, the leading rusher in Division II, during the second half.
Frostburg State will feature running back KJ Smothers, who rushed for 115 yards last week, and Owen Doyle who chipped in 95 yards.
“I’m really proud of the defense,” Dunn said. “It was 70 yards on three runs in the first half last week. We just didn’t play it right but our kids battled and competed. In the second half, the young man only had 10 yards. I give our defensive staff a ton of credit.”
The Vulcans defeated Frostburg State earlier this season, gaining a 31-26 victory. The game featured four returns for touchdowns. California returned an interception and a kickoff for a score. Frostburg returned a kickoff and blocked punt for TDs.
“We don’t look back a lot around here,” Dunn said. “When something happens, we move on unless we can learn from it. We talk to our guys all the time about playing 60 minutes, about weathering the storm. There’s going to be a point in the game where a good football team is going to make plays and that’s OK if we focus on when we play the next play.
The Vulcans have played three consecutive road games and return home where they won two playoff games last season.
“Man, it is great to be back at Adamson Stadium and a have a chance to play at home in front of our alumni and fanbase,” Dunn said.
Eric Wagoner is in his third season as head coach of the Bobcats. He doesn’t think the first meeting between the teams matters much this time.
“When you’re playing a team twice, one game has nothing to do with the other,” Wagoner said. “I think there is some merit to it in that we’ve been to (Adamson Stadium). We’ve been on the field and we’ve done the travel. We know what to expect. It’s not a different locker room or a different place. Sometimes you know kids can get caught up in that. So, the familiarity of being in the area and what to expect on game day and everything like that is always good.
“I think schematically … they’re going to change things up and we’re going to change things. That’s just the nature of it.”
Dunn said the Vulcans must play better than last week and the first time against Frostburg.
“I think we have to do a better job as coaches gaining us better opportunities,” Dunn said. “I think we must do a better job as players of executing the opportunities.”
Extra points
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Only cashless (credit card or debit card) payments will be accepted at Adamson Stadium. Parking lots open at 9 a.m. and parking is $5 cash per space. Stadium gates open at 10:30 a.m. … Cal is 4-3 in the NCAA playoffs under Dunn and a win Saturday would put the Vulcans in the quarterfinals for the sixth time and third under Dunn.