Senior sweep: Juniata goes for fifth straight D6 crown
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MIFFLINTOWN - For Juniata head coach Kurt Condo, the playoffs mean one of the toughest days of the season.
Not because of Bellefonte, the top-seeded Indians' opponent for a 7 p.m. kickoff in the District 6 Class 4A Championship Game Saturday at Mansion Park in Altoona. Instead, it's because Condo and Juniata will lose another senior class, as the group takes the field for at least one more time.
The postseason means it's win or go home. The Indians (7-3) aren't ready to call it a campaign yet as they advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals a year ago and lost to Selinsgrove.
While Condo loses a class of players each year, it doesn't make the final game any easier on the coach. Especially with all that this particular group of seniors has achieved.
"This is a great senior class and they have certainly been battle tested in many ways throughout the years," Condo said. "They've had the opportunity to play in a lot of big games and have learned many lessons along the way."
Recent senior classes have come away with a District 6 crown as the Indians are making their fifth-straight appearance in the finale. Four times, they battled the Red Raiders en route to taking the throne.
Condo doesn't want this class to be the first to falter. Beating the Red Raiders (7-4) won't be easy.
"Bellefonte has been down the past couple years, but this current team appears to be back to where Bellefonte once was when this tradition began," Condo explained.
In 2020, Juniata edged the Red Raiders, 24-21, to reign as District 6 champions. In 2021, the Indians' margin of victory was 41-12.
In 2022, Juniata was the lone qualifier in District 6 and beat DuBois, 17-7 in a District 6-9 subregional.
Last year, the Indians dominated Bellefonte, 37-0, advancing to the PIAA playoffs.
"Everything seems to be clicking right now, offensively and defensively," Condo said.
"We spread the ball around quite a bit and try not to give away too many tendencies," Condo added. "We were fortunate to have a lot of playmakers who we can count on at any given time depending on what look the defense gives us."
For Juniata, quarterback Wyatt Ehrenzeller is one of those seniors who Condo and his staff have relied on. He has completed 87-of-133 passes for 1,311 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Ehrenzeller's favorite target has been Jasper Shepps, who has 48 receptions for 700 yards and 11 TDs. Senior Connor Boreman is the Indians' second-leading receiver with 25 catches for 491 yards and 7 scores.
Juniata's ground game has been powered by two senior backs as Javier Lopez has carried the ball 118 times for 731 yards and eight TDs, while Lane Peiper has rolled up 496 yards and five scores on 64 carries.
The Indians have averaged 179.0 yards rushing per game.
Defensively, Peiper has a team-leading 91 tackles, including five for a loss. Ehrenzeller is second at 63 tackles and Boreman right behind at 61.
"Our defense has been pretty consistent all year long," Condo said. "Our focus is to always have the kids play disciplined, make their keys, fly to the ball and tackle at the point of attack. But more than anything, play with confidence."
Juniata has sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times this season, with senior middle linebacker Gage Harlon leading the way with five. Lopez and sophomore outside linebacker Isaac Ramirez are second with three each.
The secondary is tight with the Indians intercepting opposing QBs 14 times this year. Shepps leads the way, picking off six passes and Boreman adding four.
The Indians should have an edge in the kicking department with sophomore Andel Lopez hitting 30-of-35 PAT attempts.
Juniata enjoyed a bye week heading into this week's contest, while Bellefonte tangled with Greater Johnstown and beat 38-18 last week.
For the Red Raiders, senior quarterback Liam Halterman was a one-man wrecking crew as he passed for 105 yards and one TD and ran for 100 yards and three scores.
"We had a great week of practice last week, even with the bye," Condo said. "So far this week, things are still rolling in the right direction. Our kids seem to be excited to make a return trip to Mansion Park."