OK….back from Switzerland, things settling in again as we get prepared to play the Eagles from Juniata College this Saturday. Since all the Centennial Conference teams had their bye last week the Hounds should be rested and as healthy as can be expected.
Unfortunately we have had so many injuries that it is hard to imagine being even “somewhat” healthy. To date we have lost 10 players to season ending injuries and even never got five others on the field because they reported unable to play.
These are not complaints…just pointing out the reality of the situation. It has been hard to practice at times. Not because we don’t have enough players. But, because we cannot get all of our starters there at one time. We are filling in with backups and moving guys around constantly to field a competitive team.
This is not even counting the players that miss either the beginning of 
practice, or the end of practice due to class or lab schedules. It’s been tough at times….oh yeah we don’t have very good lights either. So, when daylight savings time shows up in a few weeks our practice will be drastically effected.
Anyway….back to Juniata. We leave for our game in Huntington on Friday – Beautiful four or so hour drive touring thru some awesome scenery in central Pennsylvania. Staying at the Raystown Lake Resort in cabins!
From what I understand a few players can stay in each cabin – bunk beds I guess. I just hope that there aren’t any bears in the woods – let alone freshwater sharks in that lake! I intend to do some fishing off of the dock when we get there.
Juniata enters our game with a 2-4 record, and like us they have struggled to find consistency. They have some impressive younger players and they have been able to make some big plays. However, they have made some big errors as well.
We need to prepare like we always do and trust our training. Concentrate on executing our fundamentals and doing our jobs. It is the same mantra week in and week out. But, it is the only way to develop a successful team.
There are no shortcuts to winning – you have to concentrate on all of the details regardless how small they may be. For instance we work on creating turnovers every week. This has started to pay off – we are exactly even with takeaways and give aways right now. That is quite an accomplishment despite our record.
The turnover battle is one of the most critical parts of any game. Teams that can play on the plus side of that ledger always put themselves into a position to win. Developing a “turn over” mentality takes hard work and constant attention during practice.
It is a double edged sword. You are always working with the defense to strip the ball in practice and on the other side of the coin the offense is always protecting the ball. Coaches always screaming to get the ball out, and the other side harping on ball security.
This constant give and take in practice causes the team to be alert. You can’t afford to let down at any time because eventually you will pay for it. Need to have that slight edge on game day – that edge can provide you the difference between winning and losing.
But, football – like any sport – it comes down to those small advantages. It doesn’t take much…but when you add them up over a long period allows you to find a way to win. That is why it is so important to stay up on these things during the week of practice.
Juniata has an excellent offensive team – one of the top teams in the conference. Playing behind a very
talented sophomore quarterback in Austin Montgomery (#12). He has thrown for 1771 yards and already has 18 TD’s. He is one of the top passers in the Centennial Conference with a completion rate 61.6% (125-203).
He is one of the true throwing QB’s in the conference. Although you would not call the Juanita offense a “pro” style offense – they have always brought in QB’s who are cut out in the mold of a drop back (“pro” style player).
A mark of this – Montgomery (#12) – has rushed for only 60 yards in 6 games. This is not the signal of a spread offense QB. He is in the game to throw the ball – not create option opportunities.
Matt Lehr (#29) a senior, is the leading rusher for the Eagles and he has been a big contributor for Juniata over his career. He is ranked 6th in the conference in rushing with 475 yards and a 5.5 average.
The Eagles have a one of the bigger offensive lines we will face and as we know they are always a physical bunch. Our guys are ready for a tough game in the trenches. But, what else is new for the warriors we have up front?
Juniata has always had effective receivers and they certainly have them again. Justin Heisel (#4) is one of the more productive receivers in the CC. He has caught 11 passes and has 5 TD’s with an impressive 17.6 yards per catch. The Eagles also have two other pass receivers with more than 20 catches in Dalton Snyder (#2) and Jake Notestine (#10).
Notestine (#10) also averages almost 26 yards a kickoff return which is at the top of the Centennial Conference (Freshman Shaheed Ross (#11) also is a dangerous kickoff returner with a 22.6 yard return average. Both of these players have
changed the field position battle in different games with their returns.
The Eagles lead the CC in both Kickoff and Punt Return – something that is very hard to do.
Defensively Juniata has had their issues in playing effectively over the course of a game. But, they have shown the ability to make plays when they needed to. As with all football teams you need all three phases on your team playing at a high level to attain success on Saturday.
In the secondary John McClay (#26) has intercepted three passes to lead the Eagles. Another of his backfield mates was Centennial League and Division III player of the Week. – Joel Reighard (#3).
GO HOUNDS!
