Juniata Indians sharpen the spear, 33-6 on “Buffs” Senior night.

Tagged under: District 3, District 6, Gameday Hub

Quincy Piper | September 16, 2023

       Many times across the American frontier,  the mighty Buffalo fell to the Indians. Tonight especially was no exception, as Kurt Condo and the Juniata Indians emerged victorious 33 to 6.

       The schedule makers were definitely not kind to the Indians in the first portion of the season. They opened up with three state ranked teams and then a date with a rival, the Newport Buffaloes.  One bright spot for the Indians though, was the return of team captain and one of their top tacklers, Talan Barndt. The Buffaloes on the other hand, came into this contest 0-3 as well, with West Perry being the opponent in common.

       For a majority of the 1st quarter, the defenses were the belles of the ball. Both ball clubs made it deep into the opponent’s territory, and neither able to convert. That was until Jasper Shepps would make his presence felt in this rumble by the river taking a crossing route in from 26 yards out, making it 7-0 with 1:30 remaining in the 1st quarter. The Indians would get it back rather quickly, and Jasper Shepps would glide into the end zone making quick work of the DB for a 49 yard score on a go route. (14-0 11:03 2nd). 

       Newport wasn’t going to throw in the towel just yet, they marched down the field using a perfect mix of the run and pass on a drive that was capped off with a Dalton Kratzer touchdown from twelve yards out. The snap was fumbled on the extra point, however, so there was no conversion. Heading to the half, everyone in the crowd thought a classic was brewing, Juniata led 14-6.

       Newport kept the Indians on the ropes in the early goings of quarter number three.  The Indians, on more than one occasion, made it into Buffalo territory, but always ended up stalling out. Late in the third,however, the Indians were able to take advantage of short field courtesy of a turnover and  the ensuing Indian series was capped with a 1 yard Touchdown tote from Gage Harlon.

       The Indians’ air raid would pick back up early in quarter number four when Shepps would take a screen pass 44 yards into the end zone lengthening the lead to 21 points with 10:25 to go in the contest. 

       Anything that could go wrong, seemingly did for the Buffaloes the rest of the way. On successive drives,  they lost Darian Cohick, their senior wideout, as well as the lifeblood of their run game,  Dalton Kratzer to injuries. That wouldn’t be the last we saw of the Indians, however, as they would hit paydirt again at the 7:25 mark putting this ball game firmly out of reach.

Final score 33-6.

       All told the Indians outgained the Buffaloes 408-135yards. The Indians star of the show tonight was Jasper Shepps, his final line was six grabs for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Thanks for reading.

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