State College battled Juniata to an 18-6 JVFL Pee Wee Super Bowl win

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: October 27, 2019

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – Two teams very familiar to each other met once again when the Juniata Indians Pee Wee football team met up with the State College Lions Saturday night in the Juniata Valley Football League’s Pee Wee Super Bowl.

After defeating the Little Lions the last two years, it would be State College’s time to shine as they captured the championship win, 18-6.

It would be State College first Pee Wee Super Bowl win in the last three years, falling in 2018, 28-6 and the year before 32-6.

“First of all, Juniata was just spectacular and had a great game plan against us. They played hard. They were hitting hard. I thought our guys just wanted it really bad,” said State College Coach Rob Johnson. “They (State College) played with heart all game. Throughout the rain, throughout the slipping and sliding and hard hits we kept coming and coming.”

Defensively, the Little Lions came out and made an early statement, forcing the Indians to a 4-and-out.

Offensively, State College relied on the running prowess of teammates William Hay and Edward Wunz.

Both finished with over 50-yard rushing efforts.

In its first possession, State relied on a mixture of runs by the two, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by Hay.

But the Juniata defense held and forced the Little Lions to settle on a 6-0 lead with 2:47 left in the first.

“I’m extremely proud of these boys. Nobody gave these boys a chance. I told them all week just come out and play hard and give it all you and at the end of the football game everybody can walk off the field with their heads high and be proud of what they did,” said Juniata coach Joe Dowling. “This team blew us out twice in the regular season, we couldn’t even compete with them. They have a huge 10-year old football team and we came in here and gave them everything they could handle. I’m proud of my boys!”

Defensively, both teams took their turns showing the fans their talents.

As the first half started to wind down State College made one last March down the field.

Starting on its own 38, the Little Lions muscled their way downfield and rolled down to the Indians’ nine.

With only 2:24 left, Hay capped off the drive with a 9-yard TD run.

As the two teams went into the intermission, State led after a close first half at 12-0.

Then “Mother Nature” opened up and a steady downpour of rain added to the mix.

It would be an old fashion defensive battle in the mud.

Neither team scored in the third.

But State added to its lead just a few minutes into the fourth when Hay added another touchdown to his night.

He crunched it in from three yards, upping it to an 18-0 game.

But Juniata refused to go down without a fight and scored its first touchdown minutes later.

Matthew Nace took the ball and went straight up the middle into the heart of the State College defense for a 56-yard blast, cutting it to a 12-point Little Lions’ lead.

But it was too little too late as State College held on from there, winning it 18-6.