Eagles Comeback Comes Up Just Short Against Giants
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata football team scored 21 unanswered points midway through the third and into the fourth to get within seven but ultimately fell 42-35 to Keystone College Saturday afternoon on a chilly day at Knox Stadium.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff and used the hurry-up offense to great effect, with a 22-yard run by Joey Menke leading the way to get the Eagles inside the 10. Juniata couldn't get into the endzone and elected to kick a short-field goal, but the Giants broke through and blocked the kick. They returned the loose ball 77 yards for a touchdown.
The Eagles punted on their next drive, a quick punt by Noah Wright as the Eagles lined up as if to go for it, and the punt went 59 yards to be downed at the Keystone three. On the third play of their drive, Zion Gomez hauled in an interception on the left side of the field to get the ball back for the offense.
Another JC punt from their 27 was deflected off the back of a blocker, and five plays later, the Giants ran the ball in to double their lead.
The Eagles started at their own 33, and Menke went to work as he carried the ball for 38 total yards, and Wright broke off a 17-yard run on an option run. On second and five from the seven, Quintin Stephens ran it in to bring JC within seven.
The visitors used a 47-yard run up the middle early on their next drive to eventually get into the red zone again, but they wound up at fourth and eight. The Eagle defense stopped Keystone cold as Conner McCracken and Dontey Rogan sacked the QB to end the drive.
The Juniata offense was humming as they went 78 yards, all on the ground, as Hunter Wolfley capped the drive with a nine-yard rushing TD to knot things at 14.
The Giants dominated the final eight and a half minutes of the half, as they scored the final three touchdowns to lead 35-14 heading into halftime.
Keystone got the ball to start the second and went 91 yards in seven plays to push their lead to 28.
Menke returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to get the Eagles good field position, and 12 plays later on fourth and goal from the one, Wright scored on a sneak.
Following a stop by the JC defense, the Eagles had work to do from their own five, and it appeared the drive stalled, but a roughing the kicker penalty kept the drive alive. A big run by Makih Hunt for 15 yards helped get the Juniata back to the red zone, and Wright found Reed Knapper wide-open for six to bring JC within 14.
The Eagle D forced a three and out, and Keystone couldn't get the punt off, so the Eagles got the ball at the Keystone 45.
The Eagles continued to pound the rock and, along with a roughing the passer penalty, got down to the Keystone one. Wright once again carried it in to cut the deficit to seven.
Juniata couldn't regain the ball as the Giants ran the clock out to seal their win.
Menke had 120 yards on 20 carries, Wright had 105 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while Wolfley tallied 71 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Ethan Shank led the defense in total tackles with eight.
Prior to kickoff, the program's seniors were recognized.
The Eagles will wrap the year on the road next Saturday at the University of Catholic. Kickoff is at 1:00.