Six Juniata players were selected for the Tri-Valley League all-star football team - five of them to more than one squad - while East Juniata had five players honored as the conference picked its first such honors team since bringing football back for the 2012 season.
Leading the pack was Juniata's Neil Bodley, who was a first-team tailback, a second-team outside linebacker and was picked by the league's coaches for the TVL Ironman Award. Bodley was second in the league in rushing, setting a school record in the process. In TVL play, he had four of his six interceptions, one for a touchdown, as he crossed the goal line a total of 25 times before the season ended, matching another school record.
"He did this while nearly leading the team with 60 tackles," Juniata coach Gary Klingensmith said. "He was awarded the Ironman award for being an all around complete player. He is an excellent college football prospect not only for his athletic prowess but for his excellence in academics.
"As only a junior I am looking forward to having him have another successful year here at Juniata."
Chase Bowsman doubled up as a first-team selection, getting the nod as an offensive tackle and for his play on the defensive line.
"He is one of the most dominating and powerful lineman I have ever coached," Klingensmith said. "He possesses great mobility for a man his size. It was amazing how he could play both offense and defense so well for a man that size."
East Juniata had one first-team selection in Brandon Love, a late comer to the program who led the league in kick returns, good for a special teams nod. He put the ball in play 20 times, gained 643 yards (32.15 average), scoring twice on kickoffs to aid the Tigers.
"He transferred in a couple weeks into the season," East Juniata coach Simon Cameron said. "He's a very skilled player, a very good kid. He held onto the ball real well. He had sheer explosiveness, which made him very dangerous."
All the other selections received honorable mentions from the league's coaches. Three of the Juniata players in that category earned two-way honors: Chad Eberle (variety back and kicker), Tyler Hershey (offensive guard and defensive end) and Steven Zearfaus (tight end and defensive back).
Of Eberle, Klingensmith said, "He is a great all around athlete. His excellent speed makes him very dangerous when carrying the ball. He played the final three games with a broken thumb and is a very reliable placekicker for us."
The veteran coach called Hershey smart, quick and gritty.
"He played consistent good football for us all year as an offensive and defensive player," Klingensmith said. "His play on the kickoff teams were nothing short of courageous where he registered more than half of the tackles over the season."
He said it was rare that Zearfus would be beaten on a play.
"Pound for pound Steve was one of the most complete players I have coached over the years," he said. "He was an excellent blocker as an offensive end due to his great technique and desire, sometimes blocking players twice his size. He is an excellent pass defender."
Hudson Bowsman was recognized at center.
"He is a smart offensive center who had the ability to snap well for the shotgun part of our offense," Klingensmith said. "He got stronger as the season went on. He was a player who always did whatever we asked of him and with great attitude."
East Juniata had one offensive player recognized, tailback David Brantley.
"David's an awesome athlete," Cameron said. "He ran into some injury issues this year, which was a shame. We had two players average over seven yards a carry and he was one of them."
On defense, Tigers Marcus Klingler (inside linebacker), Logan Hambright (outside linebacker) and defensive back Kevin Allen made the all-star team.
"The defense definitely had their hands full this year. The new league was much stronger and harder than our old league," Cameron said. "That showed definitely in the defensive front, and that forced our linebackers to step it up. With Klingler in the middle and Hambright on the edge, both players really stepped it up.
"We had two good defensive backs throughout the year. They did the best they could with what we were giving to them."
