Competitive. It's a word that Head Coach Tim Launtz mentions a lot when he starts talking about the 2017 Juniata College football team.

"Through last spring and into camp, that's the thing that stands out to me," coach Launtz stated. "This team has come in and worked extremely hard each and every day. It's an intensely competitive group which raises the work rate at each practice. I think this will surprise people and our work ethic will help us get better as the year goes on."  

Offense 

The Eagles offense has seven returning starters, all seniors, led by two of the four team captains, Colton Craig (Lewistown/Mifflin County HS) and Matt Lehr (Dover, Pa./ York Catholic).  Lehr, the senior tailback, ran for 556 yards on 109 carries and found the end zone six times last season. Craig was recognized for his part in paving the way for Lehr and received honorable mention to the Centennial All-Conference team at right guard. Jon Janocko (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield Area HS), who started every game a season ago, joins Craig on the offensive line at left guard to give Juniata a veteran presence along the interior of the offensive line.  Wide receivers AJ Brocato (Abingdon, Pa./Patterson Mills) and Jake Notestine (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) provide stability on the outside while Dion Lattanzi (Downingtown, Pa./ Downingtown West) adds veteran know-how between the numbers.   

Along with the seniors, coach Launtz drew attention to the fact that the team has some exciting younger options on offense. "I am excited with how our young players have developed and continue to develop to add to the positive nature of our offense moving forward," he said.

Defense

Captains Aldo Legge (Aliquippa, Pa./Central Valley) and John Maclay (Belleville, Pa./ Mifflin County) will lead a Juniata defense that returns nine starters from 2016, including the entire secondary. Maclay is joined in the secondary by senior safety Mitchell Shober (Stevens, Pa./Cocalico Sr. HS), junior safety Joel Reighard (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area HS) and junior cornerback Cameron Wood (Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis). Seniors Donovan Cobb (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa Jr./Sr. HS) and Anton Morrow (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) return at linebacker, while Legge is joined on the defensive line by seniors Kyle Bargo (Reedsville, Pa./Mifflin County) and Tanner College (Osterburg, Pa./Chestnut-Ridge HS).

This group combined for over 340 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, seven and a half sacks, nine interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries the previous year.

"I feel we have really increased our athleticism on the defensive side of the ball, which is the payoff from all of their hard work from the offseason," coach Launtz stated. "I believe that we are taking the necessary positive steps to become a dominant defense. One thing in camp the coaching staff has noticed is that we have more kids who can come in and contribute, which will allow us to rotate players and stay fresh over the course of a game."

New blood

This freshman class has some players who will see time on the field sooner rather than later. "I am extremely excited by this freshman class. The ability of this class and their development they made since stepping on campus will help us now and down the road as well."

Season Starts September Second

Juniata will open the season September 2 at home against Grove City, whom they defeated 31-26 last year.

Honoring the memory of Assistant Coach Steve Hayes

This season the Juniata football team will wear black patches with letters SH on them in honor of Coach Hayes. He was a part of the program for more than 25 years, coaching a variety of areas, mainly the offensive line. As the offensive coordinator in the 1999 and 2000, he coached the offense to two of the top five seasons in passing yardage in Juniata football history.