Hornets win turnover filled game, down Claysburg-Kimmel 21-20 @JvHornetFB @KobeHarr @QZinobile

Tagged under: District 6, News, pfn

Billy Splain | November 11, 2018

Juniata Valley and Claysburg-Kimmel both had 5 turnovers tonight, but it was the H

ornets who took the win when Quinn Zinoble crossed the goal line to tie the game at 20 with 2:39 remaining. Garrett Funk split the uprights and JV took home the win in the PIAA District VI quarterfinal in Hollidaysburg. Zinoble accounted for all three scores, his last the game winner. The Hornets overcame 4 consecutive turnovers to start the second half and a furious come from behind battle by the Bulldogs in what started out looking like a dominating game from the Hornets. It was Claysburg who dug themselves into the turnover hole to start the game as Juniata Valley jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, coughing the ball up three times in the first half

Juniata forced the Bulldogs to punt on the first possession of the game. It looked as though they would give the ball back but a roughing the kicker call gave the first Hornet drive new life. Zinoble ran for 22 yards, found Grant Musser for a 22 yard gain then called his own number to put them up 7-0. Claysburg lost the ball on the ensuing kick, and Juniata Valley was again in business at the Bulldog 23. It took just two plays, a 19 yard Zinoble to Jaxson Rand pass to the 4, then the senior QB took the ball into the endzone with 3:06 remaining in the first quarter giving the Hornets a 14-0 lead that would remain until the third quarter. Claysburg turned the ball over a total of three times in the first half, while Zinoble had the lone JV turnover, an interception by Kobe Harr.

The second half started much as the first did with both teams exchanging turnovers. Juniata Valley fumbled the ball on the first play, got it back on an interception then coughed it up one more time. After the second, Zach Claycomb would race 46 yards, cutting the Hornet lead to just 7 points.

After exchanging the ball on downs, the Hornets once again turned the ball over, and it took just two plays for the Bulldogs to cash in.  RB Helsel busted loose on a 40 yard gain, then it was Claycomb again entering the endzone, this a 15 yard run. On the very next play, Helsel picked off Zinoble at the 14. Kobe Harr scored from 10 yards out but the crucial kick after was missed.

Starting at their own 28, the Hornets drove the length of the field, getting to the 4 yard line, a penalty pushed them back to the nine, a facemask against the Bulldogs got them to the 4 and on fourth down Zinoble got the game winner. Claysburg had one more shot, but Musser snuffed any hopes of a win when he intercepted Corey Chamberlain.

Juniata Valley moves on and will play Bishop Guilfoyle in a semifinal game next week at Mansion Park in Altoona.

Gallery ( Derrick Cleveland: https://dcleveland.zenfolio.com/f958128889) and Highlight film:

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