The Juniata football team's first win streak in nearly a decade ended Saturday afternoon with a 21-0 loss to Centennial Conference rival Susquehanna in their annual "Battle for the Goalpost" game. With the win, the Crusaders take ownership of the trophy, a six-foot portion of the wooden goalposts from Susquehanna's Stagg Field, and bragging rights until the teams meet again next year. Juniata won the battle last year and are now 1-1 against the Crusaders under Head Coach Tim Launtz.
Towanda graduate Cody Miller had his first interception of the year for Susquehanna, adding two solo tackles and four pass break ups in the game. Waverly graduate Kevin Gorman had six tackles, five solo in the game for Juniata.
The game concluded the Eagles' (3-7, 2-7 Centennial) most successful season in recent history.
Junior Brandon Felus (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) continued his stellar play, picking up game-highs in sacks (1.5) and tackles for a loss (3.5). The defensive lineman also finished tied for the team-high in tackles (7) along with sophomore Ethan Wilt (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area). Felus came into the contest tied for 10th nationally in sacks per game and tied for 55th in tackles for a loss per game. He leads the league in the latter category with 16.5 tackles for over 100 lost yards and is second in sacks at 11.5.
LYCOMING BLANKS MISERICORDIA
In his 39th year at Lycoming College, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Steve Wiser reached 200 wins with the football team in Middle Atlantic Conference action and the Warriors turned in a fine defensive effort, notching a 38-0 win over first-year program Misericordia for Wiser's 65th career shutout on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Mangelsdorf Field.
Athens graduate Mark Ross coaches Misericordia and Troy graduate Tanner Bulkley had one solo tackle for Misericordia in the game. Towanda graduate Nate Jones and Towanda graduate Matt Ogden both played for Lycoming.
Wiser's defense allowed just 69 total yards, including -15 rushing to help the Warriors (8-2 overall, 8-1 MAC) finish along in second place in the conference, one game behind Widener (9-0 overall, 8-0 MAC), who clinched with a 42-23 win over Delaware Valley. Wiser is the second coach in the history of the MAC to be apart of 200 conference wins, joining Bill Manlove, who has worked at Lafayette, Widener and Delaware Valley and accumulated 221 MAC wins.
While the Warriors' defense kept the Cougars' offense stagnant, held to just five first downs, the Warriors rolled up 504 total yards, including 340 on the ground. The rushing tandem of senior Parker Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville) and sophomore Craig Needhammer (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) each had fine days, with Showers rushing for a career-high 188 yards and two scores on just 19 carries. Needhammer finished with 95 yards and two scores on 17 carries.
