Indians Move on 36-22 over Dubois.

Tagged under: District 6, District 9, Playoffs

Quincy Piper | November 11, 2023

Thanksgiving is slated for less than two weeks from now, so that means playoff action is upon us.

The Indians came into the evening flying high. Fresh off a 4th consecutive District 6 AAAA title with Kurt Condo at the helm. And to top it all off they were hosting a state game for the first time in school history. The night was a success and they won their first home state playoff game, taking down Dubois 36-22.

The Indians got off to a great start. Not in the traditional sense of “That team opposite us is noticeably better”. They dominated the line of scrimmage from the opening whistle and it showed. Javy Lopez runs (30,8) set up the passing touchdown to Senior split-end Ethan Espitia from 8 yards out and Heath Hutchinson notched the conversion. (8-0 9:33 1st).

Dubois’ drive stalled before it really got momentum and the Indians found themselves with possession again following a Dubois punt. The Indians went the length of the field in one play. This time through the air as Jasper Shepps was able to take a slant 70 yards to the house on the drive’s first play. (PAT good 15-0 Juniata 5:52 1st).

On their next possession senior tailback Garret Nissel and the Beavers were able to pick it up a little bit, mixing the run and pass all the way down the field before his backfield mate, Carter Wilson, would make the plunge from a yard out. (PAT good 15-7 31.9 1st).

The Indians would take advantage of a short field the ensuing possession as Jasper Shepps made his presence felt yet again, via a 73 yard kick return.  quarterback, Wyatt Ehrenzeller called his own number 3 times the following drive. The last of which being a QB sneak that grouped with a PAT extended the lead.(22-7 8:54 2nd)

Dubois wasn’t done yet, however,  as the next drive sophomore signal-caller Trey Wingard lead his team down the field in just over a minute before he was able to find Carter Voss in the corner from 25 yards out. (PAT good 7:38 2nd 22-14).

Juniata dominated the 2nd half of action, not allowing a score from scrimmage. The only Dubois TD strike was a 101 yard kick return from Nathan Kougher with 8:21 to go in the 4th. The Indians, however, were able to cash in twice. Once via the passing attack on a beautifully designed pitch and catch to Ethan Espitia from 13 yards out.  And the other from the Indians leading rusher on the evening Heath Hutchinson, who was able to take it in from 6 yards out. 

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