HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Juniata football kicked off its 2015 season on Saturday afternoon at Knox Stadium. The Eagles got out to a 19-0 lead at halftime and held off a Wolverine rally to win 26-13.
It was a game of firsts. Quarterback Hank Coyne (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) made his first start under center and finished the day 19-of-37 for 186 yards and one touchdown.
Another first came from wide receiver Kirby Breault (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area HS). He scored Juniata's first touchdown of the day on a 60-yard punt return. It was the first punt return for a score since Nick Stubbs took one back 94 yards at Franklin and Marshall in 2011.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff after Grove City deferred. Juniata mixed passes and runs to move the ball down the field. Deonte Alston (Bel-Air, Md./Patterson Mill) ran for 23 yards on the drive including a key 13-yard gain to give JC a first down in Grove City territory. Coyne completed passes of 19 yards to Breault and a pair of eight-yard gains to Aaron O'Brien (York, Pa/York Catholic) and DaVon Mitchell (Schwenksville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) to move the chains. The drive stalled at the Grove City 8 and Kevin Bonalle (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) converted a 25-yard field goal to put the Eagles up 3-0 with 9:42 to play in the quarter.
The Blue and Gold defense stood firm as the Wolverines could only must three yards of offense. Anthony Marnejon's 34-yard punt was taken by Breault at the JC 40 and he dodged tacklers all the way to the end zone to give Juniata a 10-0 advantage.
The Eagles defense continued to rule as it forced another punt. The Juniata offensive drive ended abruptly as Coyne was stripped of the ball and Grove City recovered to take control at the JC 29.
The Wolverines seemed poised to take advantage of the turnover and close their deficit. The stout Juniata defense would not let that happen. Grove City lined up for a 38-yard field goal attempt, but Nick Bonavita (Sheffield, Pa./Sheffield Area HS) would get a hand up and block the kick and the Eagles took over at their own 22.
JC could only get to midfield as it was forced to punt. The Wolverines' Brett Pinson took the kick back 28 yards to their own 39. The defense again made a big play as Jack Mailey (Lafayette, Hill, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) would force Wolverine quarterback Antonio Carroscia to fumble and Jonah Plymire (York, Pa./Central York) was there to recover the fumble at the 36.
Grove City's defense would stand up and keep the Eagles at bay. Bonalle hit a field goal from 27 yards out and with 10:39 left to play in the second quarter, JC was ahead 13-0.
On the Wolverine's next drive, Juniata defense made yet another big play. Carroscia would be sacked and fumble the ball away. Ryan Bologa (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone HS) scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 21 yards to the end zone to suddenly give Juniata a 19-0 lead. It is the first Eagle fumble recovery for a touchdown since Bryon Latterner returned one 42 yards at Lebanon Valley in 2004.
The score remained 19-0 at halftime. The two teams exchanged punts on their first drives of the third quarter. Grove City began its second drive at the JC 47. Juniata thought it had a pickoff deep in its own territory, but it was called back because of defensive holding. That gave Grove City a first and goal at the JC 7 and a Carroscia to Tyler Patterson touchdown got the Wolverines on the board with 7:27 left in the third.
Juniata moved into GC territory on the ensuing possession but were forced to punt. The Wolverines moved down the field and a big Carroscia to Brett Pinson completion for 43 yards went the distance and Grove City climbed its way back into the contest as the score was now 19-13 with 2:09 left on the clock in the frame.
The Eagles began to make some traction going into the final quarter of play. Matt Lehr (Dover, Pa./York Catholic) rushed for 25 yards and Coyne hooked up with O'Brien and Mitchell for 12 yards each to get Juniata into Wolverine territory. On first and 10 at the GC 16, Coyne found Mitchell in the corner of the end zone for the score and JC began to separate itself from its opponent with a 26-13 lead at 14:42.
In Grove City's four drives in the fourth quarter, Juniata intercepted two passes, forced one punt, and forced a three and out. Their final drive ended with 51 seconds remaining and Alston ran twice to run out the clock as Juniata left the field victorious.
The Eagles totaled 164 yards on the ground on the day. Alston accounted for 105 of those on 21 carries. Lehr added 52 yards on 10 carries. Breault had one carry for 16 yards.
In the air, O'Brien finished with seven catches for 42 yards. Breault caught five balls for 72 yards. Mitchell had five grabs for 50 yards and a score. Alston caught two passes for 22 yards.
The defense had a big game as it allowed only 46 yards rushing. It totaled five sacks, two interceptions, two fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. Plymire accumulated 11 tackles (10 solo) and had three tackles for losses. Jake Diviney (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area HS) chipped in nine total tackles. Bonavita had both Eagle interceptions.
Juniata looks to keep its momentum going next weekend when it travels to Lancaster to take on Franklin and Marshall. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.