HUNTINGDON, PA- The 2-1 Juniata football team, coming off a tough 31-17 loss to Gettysburg last week, looks to regroup and get back on track this weekend when Franklin and Marshall comes to town for a Centennial Conference battle. Kickoff from Goodman Field at Knox Stadium will be at 1 p.m.
Against the Bullets, the Eagles trailed 21-17 in the fourth quarter but Gettysburg scored 10 points to distance itself from Juniata and come away with the win. Quarterback Ward Udinski (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) was 19-of-31 passing for 163 yards and threw for one touchdown. He had 14 net yards on the ground and one score. Running back Matt Lehr (Dover, PA/York Catholic) had 40 yards rushing on the ground. Aaron O'Brien (York, PA/York Catholic) had six catches for 59 yards while Hunter Phillips(Funkstown, MD/South Hagerstown) had three grabs for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Eagles totaled five sacks and 11 tackles for losses. Ethan Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona Area) led the way with 18 tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup. Luke Navin (Bel-Air, MD/John Carroll HS) added nine and half tackles, one and a half sacks, and a forced fumble.
The Diplomats are 1-2 overall and are seeking their first win in Centennial Conference play. F&M is coming off a heartbreaking 31-24 overtime loss to Ursinus. Running back Taalib Gerald finished the day with 134 yards on 13 touches and two scores. Scott LaValva added another 61 yards on the ground with 16 carries. Matt Magarity completed 13-of-24 passes for 195 yards with a score and two picks while Paul McGann led the Diplomats' receivers with 57 yards on four catches and a touchdown. Ryan Young paced the defense with eight stops and Steve Elf picked up six stops for the Diplomats.
The Eagles will look to halt F&M's seven-game winning streak going back to 2007. The last win for Juniata occurred in 1986 in Huntingdon, 21-11.
