SELINSGROVE, Pa.-The Juniata football team wrapped up their season with a 24-6 loss at Susquehanna in the 59th edition of the Goalpost Game Saturday afternoon at Alonzo Stagg Field.
The River Hawks got off to a fast start as they had a 48-yard gain through the air to put them in field goal range. The defense held strong from there and forced a 29-yard field goal that put the River Hawks up 3-0.
The defenses stood strong for the rest of the half as neither team managed to put points on the board before the teams headed for the locker rooms. The Eagle defense made a huge play right before the half ended as the River Hawks were on the JC three when Ethan Hurst (Lancaster, Pa. / Manheim Township H.S.) forced a fumble that Zach Krug (Ashville, Pa. / Penn Cambria HS) fell on.
Juniata got the ball to start the second half, but it was tough going and they wound up having to punt. Susquehanna did not waste much time as on first and 10 their running back went 69 yards to the end zone to make it 10-0.
On the Eagles next drive, Tim Graham (Clarks Summitt, Pa. / Abington Heights) found Daulton Snyder (New Oxford, Pa. / New Oxford) for a gain of seven yards before he connected with Sean Owens (Schwenksville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley HS) for a gain off 33 to the River Hawk 35. A sack moved them back before two plays later Graham found Shaheed Ross (Philadelphia, Pa. / Delaware Valley Charter HS) for a nine-yard gain that made it fourth and four. Juniata went for it, but Graham's pass fell incomplete.
The next Susquehanna drive was marred by penalties and they defense forced them to punt on 4th and 20.
Graham found Ian Border (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon Area H.S.) for a 15-yard gain, but JC could not get any further and again had to punt. Susquehanna took that punt 71-yards the opposite direction for six to go up 17-0.
After Susquehanna forced another punt, they went 48 yards in five plays to push their lead to 24 with 13 minutes left in the game.
Starting at the Juniata 22, Graham found Ross for a 14-yard gain and Owens for three yards. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Susquehanna moved the ball to their 46. Snyder snagged a pass out the air for a 12-yard gain before the Graham found him again, this time for 34-yards and a touchdown. Juniata went for two, but couldn't convert.
On the next drive, Kaleb Weyant (East Freedom, Pa. / Central) forced a fumble and Nick Kohler (Green Brook, N.J. / Watchung Hills Regional) recovered as Juniata took over at their own 43. Graham found Ross for 14 yards, but later JC faced fourth and four but couldn't convert.
On the fourth play of the River Hawk drive, Susquehanna fumbled again and Zeb Fowler (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon Area HS) managed to get the ball back for the Eagles.
With 4:29 left, Juniata started to move the ball as completions to Owens, Ross and Aj Brocato (Abingdon, Md. / Patterson Mills HS) moved the ball to the 50. A 17-yard gain through the air by Owens put the ball at the River Hawk 28. A sack and a penalty backed the Eagles up into a fourth and 18. Graham found Brocato for 16 yards as the Eagles last shot fell short. Susquehanna ran out the rest of the clock to end the game.