Harding grad leads Gannon
Jon Richardson of Warren has made it into the football record book at Gannon University of Erie, Pa.
The senior tailback from Harding High became the school’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards (3,720) and points (222) during the final home game of his college career last Saturday against Lock Haven.
Richardson (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) rushed for a season-high 155 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead coach Jim Kiernan’s Knights to their second straight victory, 27-0, while also breaking the school’s career rushing touchdowns record (35).
In his fourth year as a starter, Richardson also set two single-season records for scoring (96 points) and rushing touchdowns (16). He also climbed into third place in career rushing yards with 2,632, while his three scores tied the school record for most TDs in a game.
Richardson was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division offensive player of the week.
A criminal justice major who played for coach Thom McDaniels at Harding, Richardson will be seeking to pad his statistics when Gannon (4-5, 2-4 PSAC) will begin a season-ending two-game road swing Saturday at Indiana (Pa.) at 1 p.m. in quest of a winning season.
Richardson also is ranked high in several other school statistical categories, including No. 3 in career 100-yard rushing games (12).
He also is No. 5 in career receptions (94), No. 6 in career total offense (2,632) and No. 9 in career receiving yards (703).
In addition, he ranks No. 2 in single-season all-purpose yards (1,169 in 2008) — just missing the school record by 1 yard — and No. 6 in single-season rushing yards (914 in 2008).
Richardson is one of five Youngstown-area players on the Gannon roster, including Keith Yager (6-2, 245), a starting junior defensive end from Hickory High in Hermitage Pa.
Yager, in his third year as a starter after being moved from linebacker this year, is tied for No. 1 on the team in tackles for losses with nine for 27 yards. He also is No. 9 in overall tackles with 32 on 14 solo stops and 18 assists.
Last year, Yager had five tackles and two pass interceptions at Lock Haven.
In 2007 as a redshirt freshman, Yager was Gannon’s fifth-leading tackler. A risk management major, he was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association all-academic team in 2007.
While at Hickory under coach Jim Bell, Yager was rated the 19th-best linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com.
The other area players at Gannon are Carmen Lamancusa (Mathews), a sophomore offensive lineman who has not played this year, and freshmen Marcus Fowler (Newton Falls), an offensive lineman, and wide receiver Mike Tomko (Sharon), a wide receiver. Both Fowler and Tomko are being redshirted this season.
Lamancusa (6-4, 290) played in nine games as a true freshman last year and made two tackles.
The son of son of Sheila and Samuel Lamancusa, Carmen is majoring in management.
While at Mathews, Lamancusa played for coach Jim Parry and was a two-time All-Ohio first-team selection and league defensive player of the year.
Fowler (6-10, 320), the son of Christine and Jeff Fowler, played for coach Greg Lazzari at Newton Falls and was named to the All-Ohio Division IV second team.
Tomko (6-3, 195), the son of Karen and Mike Tomko, was coached by Bob Fromm at Sharon and was selected to the all-state second team and All-Western Pennsylvania first team.
XJohn Kovach covers college athletics for The Vindicator. E-mail him at kovach@vindy.com.