Juniata dominates Halifax in forfeited shortened contest

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: October 1, 2021

By Kenny Varner

MIFFLINTOWN – It was a homecoming to remember Friday at Juniata High School when the Indians football team met up with Halifax.

After allowing a touchdown in their first possession, the Juniata defense did not allow any positive drives on the offensive side.

Offensively, “Big Red” exploded for a game’s worth off scoring with the 37-6 victory.

Halifax was outmanned and brought a small team to Klingensmith Stadium and could not field enough healthy players in the second half to continue the game. So the game was forfeited by the Wildcats, giving Juniata a 31-point victory in front of all the home fans.

The Wildcats got on the score board first when quarterback Carter Enders hit Peter Ranck in stride for the 55-yard touchdown strike.

However, the PAT was unsuccessful making it a 6-0 contest with 6:09 left in the first.

But the lead would only be temporary as the Indians offense was just warming up.

Starting on their own 40, Juniata went marching down the field on a six-play drive. The drive culminated on a 6-yard run by Zachary Harr. With the PAT by Ben Wagner the Indians took a 7-6 advantage.

Two plays later, Juniata found it’s way back on the scoreboard.

Enders was pressured when he was going back to pass and was pressured by the defensive line. He threw the ball right into the hands of Juniata defender Wyatt Ehrenzeller picked him off and ran it in from 15-yards out, upping the home team lead to 14-6 with 2:17 left in the opening stanza.

With the defense sizzling, the Halifax offense was smothered by the Indians forcing them to punt in their third possession.

After the punt, the Indians went right back to the passing game.

Starting the second quarter, Juniata was back on the scoreboard when Aaron Kanagy found Josh Bomberger on the 30-yard hook up for the touchdown pass.

With the PAT, Juniata had taken over the game as they were tiring out the Wildcats.

Halifax offense still stalled despite Juniata committing two ruffing the kicker calls in the same possession.

The defense did not allow any offensive movement despite the two penalties and forced a second interception this time by Seth Laub.

The interception led to yet another touchdown run by the Indians offense.

It took two plays this time for Juniata to get its way back on the scoreboard.

Kanagy launched a pass to Harr and he went 30 yards for his second TD of the day.

After the two ruffing the kicker penalties, the Indians were able to block it and get the ball back deep in Wildcat territory.

With a first down and goal on the six, Caleb Smith muscled his way in for the touchdown, upping the lead once again to 35-6.

Rounding out the scoring was the Wildcats kneeled down in the end zone for a safety to end the scoring at 37-6.