Wildcats Defeat Indians in Tight Game

Tagged under: District 6, News, Scoreboard, Scores

Brad Strawser | October 12, 2018

On the first cool night of fall, the Juniata Indians took the undefeated Halifax Wildcats down to the wire. The final score ended in favor of Halifax at 13-6.

The Wildcats came into the night 7-0 and heavily favored to win the game over the Indians. After one quarter of play and the score still tied at zero, the crowd knew the game had potential to be tight until the very end.

The cold, crisp air had a definite effect on the game, as both teams coughed up a fumble and turned the ball over. Tonight was the first night that the Indians had turned the ball over on a fumble all season. Players also had trouble catching passes and fielding punts and kickoffs due to the difference in air temperature.

The Indians were able to take lead against the favored Wildcats early in the 2^ndquarter as Ty Martin rushed in from just outside the goal line. The Wildcats were able to bully their way through the Indians’ special teams’ line and block the PAT and keep the score to just 6-0.

Indians score the opening touchdown! Score 6-0 after a blocked PAT with 7:30 to play in the first half pic.twitter.com/i7KK6Q8mHr

— Brad (@BradStrawser) October 12, 2018

Just one possession later, after a great pass from freshman Jacob Condo, the Indians found themselves pressed tight against the Wildcats’ end zone. However, the Wildcat defensive line stood tall, and stopped the Indians on four straight runs to keep the score 6-0 heading into halftime.

“That could’ve been the game right there, but we didn’t punch it in,” said Indian coach Gary Klingensmith after the game.

The Wildcats found their offensive stride in the second half, breaking off multiple 20 plus yard runs and connecting on a few passes as well. Once their offense got going, the Indians offense struggle to find the same success.

The Wildcats rushed from just inside the Indian’s 20-yard line and found the end zone at the end of the 3^rdquarter to take the lead 7-6. One possession later, after the Wildcat defense intercepted a pass at the 50, the offense was able to score on a pass play from 13 yards out. The Indian’s special teams was able to step up and block the PAT, however to keep it a seven-point game in the 4^thquarter.

Late game interceptions plagued the Indians as they were forced to throw the ball on a few 3^rd-and-longs late in the game as they attempted to come back. The game ended for the Indians, as they attempted a trick play when Condo lateralled the ball to senior Jeremiah Parson, who would throw back across the field, only for it to be picked off and the time to expire.

Klingensmith reflected on the game later by saying, “This is probably the best defense we played against this year. We are learning a good lesson. We took on the league’s best and we matched them punch for punch. They have nothing to be ashamed of.”

The Indians(1-7) will try to find their winning ways again as they go on the road to Millersburg (0-8) in Week 9.

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