HUNTINGDON, PA- After its most successful season in 23 years, the Juniata football team is looking forward to bigger and better things in 2014. Juniata finished at 7-4 overall and 6-3 in the Centennial Conference in 2013. It was the program’s highest win total since 1990 and the most conference wins since 1999.
Offense
The Eagles offense begins and ends with QB Ward Udinski (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) who returns for his senior year. Last year, Udinski passed for 2,311 yards and 17 touchdowns while also adding 733 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns to lead the team. He was nationally ranked in 11 different categories and earned Centennial Conference second-team honors.
The offensive line returns three of its starters from a year ago with seniors Josh Gongloff (Tyrone, PA/Bellwood-Antis), Derek Schultz (Edinboro, PA/General McLane) and junior Frank Marin (Whitestone, NY/Holy Cross). Gongloff was a Centennial second-team selection last season. As a whole, the line gave up just 15 yards per game and 1.5 sacks.
Sophomore wideout Aaron O'Brien (York, PA/York Catholic) along with seniors Isaiah Slutter (Philadelphia, PA/Wallenpaupack) and tight end Kyle Schuck (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) boost the receiving corps. Both Slutter and Schuck earned Centennial second-team all-conference honors, the first of their careers. Slutter spent time at receiver and on special teams. He led the team in catches with 42 and finished second in total yards (972) and touchdowns (3). Schuck came alive on the outside at tight end. He caught a team-best four touchdowns and averaged over 24 yards per game.
O'Brien finished 2013 ranked nationally in receiving yards and receptions. He led the team with over 600 receiving yards and averaged a team-best 60 yards per game. His 84-yard touchdown reception in the season opener against Thiel proved to be a team-long mark.
Defense
Juniata's defense held opponents to an average of under 17 points per game through the first three games of last season and kept them to 21 points or less seven times during the year. The Eagles will have to overcome the losses to defensive linemen Brandon Felus, Kevin Gorman, and Jared Slope to graduation. Sophomores Andrew Paterno (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro Area) and Daulton Romano (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) along with junior Kweku Parker (York, Pa/Central York) all assume starting roles in 2014. Parker brings the most experience as he saw action in all 11 games last year with Romano playing in seven.
The linebacker corps are led by senior Ethan Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona Area). Wilt was selected as an All-Conference honorable mention for his play during the 2013 season. He finished second on the team in total tackles (63.5), had 2.5 sacks, forced a fumble, and ran an interception back for 16 yards. Junior Luke Navin (Bel-Air, MD/John Carroll HS) along with sophomores Ryan Bologa (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) and Brian Pyle (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) join Wilt.
The secondary is experienced in junior Charles Sweigert (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Catholic) and senior Nick Stubbs (Hagerstown, MD/South Hagerstown) at cornerback. Sweigert had a team-high three interceptions for 84 yards and Juniata's only defensive touchdown. He ended the season ranked nationally for interceptions (3) and passes defended (7). Stubbs had four pass breakups and two interceptions. Manning the safety position are junior Demetrius Floyd (Coraopolis, PA/West Alleghany) and sophomore Jake Diviney (Altoona, PA/Altoona Area) Floyd started every game for the Eagles last season and had 31 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
Special Teams
Kicker Ken Kyosor (Port Alleghany, PA/Port Alleghany) returns for his senior season after a productive junior campaign. He converted 35 out of 36 PATs and was 9-of-13 in field goals. Jonah Plymeire (York, PA/Central York) will assume punting duties once again. He booted nine punts inside the 20-yard line and had five kicks inside the 50.
Slutter also will factor as a kick returner. Last season he took back 18 kicks for a total of 457 yards and averaged over 25 yards per return.
Schedule
The Eagles begin their season on the road against Grove City. The two teams are meeting for the first time since 1972. The always competitive Centennial Conference schedule follows starting next Saturday at home against Dickinson. Homecoming will be November 8 against Moravian and the season finale and the Goal Post game against Susquehanna will be the following Saturday.
