STEELTON — Juniata’s football team was looking for a 2-0 start to their season on Thursday at Roscoe Warner Field against Steelton-Highspire.

However, in thrilling fashion the Rollers used every last second to snag an 18-14 victory in their season debut.

Juniata’s Jasper Shepps would grab an interception and on the very next play Shepps darted to the endzone on a 77-yard touchdown catch (pass from Jason Condo). With the PAT, Juniata had a 7-0 lead over the Steamrollers with 9:31 left in the first period.

The Rollers answered at the 4:22 mark in the first period. Quarterback Kayden Cole Stephens threw a touchdown to Silas Hernandez on a slant, making it 7-6 Indians (1-1). Steel-High missed the 2-point try.

“Minimize explosive plays on defense and control the clock on offense,” Juniata head coach Kurt Condo said about playing the Rollers. “We need to play in our own comfort zone.”

Before halftime, an ambulance went on the field to assist Juniata’s Shay Brininger, who was dealing with an apparent lower leg injury.

Steel-High tallied 57 rushing yards in the first half on 15 totes as Juniata posted 34 yards on the ground via 16 attempts.

“We just need to control what we can control and keep gaining confidence,” Coach Condo said about his team’s running game.

The Rollers had 70 passing yards and the Indians collected 93 through the air.

Juniata committed two fumbles with one lost. Steel-High had two fumbles with none lost at halftime.

Juniata’s passing attack had two interceptions and the Rollers tossed one pick.

After defeating Selinsgrove in Week 1, how does Steel-High compare?

“They are two different teams in terms of what they like to do offensively. But they are both well coached and have some great athletes,” Coach Condo noted.

Jason Condo tossed a 28-yard touchdown to tight end Josh Nace, making it 14-6 Juniata on top with 5:54 left in the third quarter.

Then in the fourth quarter with 4:19 to play, the Rollers got a TD from Ni’Shaun Ward-McMullen, leaving the score 14-12 in favor of the Indians. Steel-High missed the 2-point try.

After a stop with 2:19 remaining in the final stanza, the Rollers (1-0) got the ball back and found a way to get some magic.

On a 3rd-and-2 from the Juniata 48, Rollers were able to eventually get a first down, under 60 seconds in the game.

On the final play of the contest, with no time left, Stephens launched a pass downfield where Hernandez got past Juniata’s coverage and caught the ball for a game-winning touchdown, ending the home game at 18-14.

In Week 3, Juniata meets Line Mountain at home for Military Appreciation Night.