2021 PFN Team Preview: The Juniata Valley Hornets, Special edition! Welcome Pirates!

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 6

Billy Splain | August 8, 2021

Juniata Valley Hornets PFN Page

Head Coach Bill Musser

PIAA District 6 – Class A
League: Inter-County League

Assistant Coaches

Jason Showalter,
John Boone,
Ryan Hileman
Dave Roland,
Bruce Hicks,
Mitch Yeager

2020 Season Record 6-3

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-27	@ Tussey Mountain (0-0) *	Dick L. Hess Stadium	7:00 pm
09-03	@ Tyrone (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-10	@ West Branch (0-0) *		7:00 pm
09-17	@ OPEN DATE (0-0) *		7:00 pm
09-24	vs. Everett (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-01	@ Claysburg-Kimmel (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-08	vs. Northern Bedford (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-15	@ Glendale (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-22	@ Bellwood-Antis (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-29	vs. Southern Huntingdon (0-0) *		7:00 pm

* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

Special: Last week it was announced that due to a low turnout for the Williamsburg Pirates, the two schools (Juniata Valley and Williamsburg) would enter into a co-op.  Thus far the coaches say the transition has been smooth. “Obviously it’s a difficult situation, but we had a co-op with them in JV so our relationship is solid” said Riley Hileman, head coach for the Pirates. “Initially we had that heartbreak and the whole we don’t want to do this attitude but after we had a meeting everybody got on board. They realize this is their best opportunity to play football.”

“We are adapting our system to match the personnel that we have” said Juniata Valley head coach Bill Musser. “Our system here isn’t just one set. We work around the players we have on a yearly basis. I’m looking forward to getting to know the new players and making our strengths stronger and our weaknesses stronger as well. We’re just talking right now it’s not us and them, it’s “we”.

Lambert Palmer played for Williambsurg last year has had no difficulty with the transition so far. “We’re makin friends and getting along.” Robbie Branter also played for Williamsburg and he isn’t too worried about it either. “I was bummed out at first. My dad, my pap, my siblings all played for Williamsburg. It’s unfortunate but I’m just looking for to playing football. I’d rather play for JV than not at all.” As for the parents and siblings, “they don’t mind, they just wanted me to be able to play football.”

Coach Musser:

What are your expectations for your team this year? 
Be competitive week in and week out. Be in the top half of ICC and make noise in the D6 playoffs.

When your team is on offense, what are the keys to success? 
We must be consistent and urgent in our actions on offense. Limit mental and physical mistakes and wear the defense down.

When your team is on defense, what are the keys to success? 
Defensively we must be where we belong. Limit big plays and create opportunities to score or create short fields for our offense.

Key Starters Lost
Gave Brower,
Dalton Dick,
Hunter Johnson,
Daniel Wagner,
Samuel Wagner

Offensive Starters Returning
Sr. OL Jonathan Bouch, 6-3 280,
Sr. OT Johnny Foster, 6-2, 360,
Sr RB Jayce Rand, 5-11, 190,
Sr. WR Jake Johnson 6-0, 165,
Sr, C, Max Eichelberger, 5-10, 220,
Sr, QB, Lambert Palmer, 6-0, 180,
Sr, OL, Dylan Hartman, 6-1, 200,
Jr, OL, Justin Brubaker, 6-2, 240,
Soph, SB, Andrew McMonagle, 5-10, 180

Defensive Starters Returning
Sr. DL Jonathan Bouch, 6-3 280,
Sr. DT Johnny Foster, 6-2, 360,
Sr DE Jayce Rand, 5-11, 190, Sr.
S Jake Johnson 6-0, 165, Sr.
LB Andrew Ross 5-8, 180.
Sr. DE Dylan Hartman, 6-1, 200
Sr. DB, Lambert Palmer, 6-0, 180
Sr. LB, Robbie Branter, 5-9, 170,
Jr. S JT Rodkey, 5-10, 175.
Soph DB, Andrew McMonagle, 5-10, 180

Special Team Starters Returning
K JT Rodkey, LS
Jr Gavin Musser 6-1 180.

Key Newcomers
Sr QB/TE/LB Bryant Allison,
Jr. QB/ WR/ S Reid Edwards 6-5 190.
Sr OL/ DL Bryan Hearn 5-10, 210,
Sr. Wr/DB Tommy Beasom 5-10, 175,
Sr. OL/LB Austin Dick 5-10, 180.
Jr. OL/LB Dylan Wagner, 5-10, 210
Jr. RB/LB Foster England, 5-10, 210
Sr. WR/DB Caymen Hughs, 5-6, 150

Players we should keep an eye on? 
Jake Johnson,
Jayce Rand,
Jonathan Bouch,
Bryant Allison,
Reid Edwards,
JT Rodkey,
Andrew Ross

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews