Published: December 03, 2008 11:57 pm      

Garver, California aim for title game

Former area star among Vulcans leaders; Division II semifinal Saturday

CALIFORNIA, Pa. — After being named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) first team as well as the All-Super Region I first team in the past 10 days, Cory Garver, 2004 Times-News All-Area football performer for the Fort Hill Sentinels, will again be playing on a national stage Saturday for the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans.

The No. 7 Vulcans (12-1) will be playing in an NCAA Division II semifinal, at home, against No. 6 Minnesota Duluth (13-0) on Saturday at noon. The game can be seen live on ESPN Classic.

This will be Cal’s second consecutive trip to the final four of college football’s Division II playoffs. If the Vulcans win they will play in the Division II Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m., on ESPN2, against the winner of the other semifinal between North Alabama (12-1) and Northwest Missouri State (12-1).

The Vulcans reached the semifinals by avenging their only loss of the season, to Bloomsburg, Pa., with a 27-24 victory last Saturday.

Garver, a 6-4, 265-pound tight end, has started 11 of 13 games for the Vulcans and has caught passes in 12 of the team’s 13 games. He ranks fourth on the team in receptions and receiving yards with 27 catches for 298 yards and is third in receiving touchdowns with three.