HUNTINGDON — Carter Sauer stood at midfield with 12 of his gridiron teammates, seniors gathering together for one last group photo. It would be the final time they suited up as a Juniata College Eagle.

It had been four years since Sauer had graduated from Midd-West High School and landed at Juniata to play Division III football.

In the Eagles’ season finale, which is Sauer’s college swansong, he started at right guard. Much like his teammates, Sauer battled valiantly to the bitter end. They hoped for a better ending to a season that took a nosedive in the third week and never recovered.

A 2-0 start to a promising season quickly turned to disappointment with eight consecutive defeats, the latest was a 24-16 Landmark Conference loss to Lycoming College on Saturday at Knox Stadium in Huntingdon.

On Senior Day, Sauer had one assist on the stat sheet for Juniata (2-8, 0-6 Landmark Conference), but his inspiration to play at a higher level and persevere proved priceless to aspiring younger players.

Sauer also averaged 53.8 yards on his four kickoffs.

Juniata High School product Makih Hunt also got the start at tight end for the Eagles, finishing with two catches for 27 yards. He also lost a fumble.

Juniata led 6-3 after the first quarter thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Ivan Foreman. The Eagles added a 36-yard field goal by Alex Mullin in the second quarter but trailed 10-9 at the half.

Akari Daniels caught a 1-yard TD pass from Joey Menke in the third quarter, which gave the Eagles a brief 16-10 lead. Spencer Ferguson capped the scoring with a pair of short runs to give Lycoming (5-5, 5-1 LC) the lead back and some cushion.

The Eagles didn’t score again.

Juniata quarterback Ethan Eisenberg finished 26 of 38 for 297 yards with two interceptions. Foreman rushed for 90 yards, while receiver Carter Marr had 100 yards receiving.

Menke also racked up 98 yards on five kickoff returns.

Mount Union’s Naiym Francis and Midd-West’s Parker Boop did not play in the game.

For Lycoming, Mifflin County High School product Elijah Osborne started at left guard. Osborne is listed as a 6-0, 272-pound junior.

The Warriors’ 5-1 conference mark is their best finish since joining the conference in 2023.

Lycoming closes out its season with Cape Charles Bowl against an opponent from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in the Chesapeake Challenge Bowl Series on Saturday.

In other local college football action on Saturday:

CAL. (PA.) 35,

SHIPPENSBURG 10

SHIPPENSBURG — Shippensburg closed out the Mark “Mac” Maciejewksi era with a setback to visiting California (Pa.) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division action on Saturday on Senior Day at Seth Grove Stadium in Shippensburg.

Maciejewski spent 15 years as head football coach at Shippensburg with the 2025 season marking his 32nd year overall with his alma mater. He is currently the longest-tenured head football coach in the PSAC.

The Raiders started 0-3 this season and lost four of its final five games to finish 3-8 overall and 3-4 in the PSAC East. California (Pa.) (8-3, PSAC East 3-3) led 7-3 at halftime but scored four second-half TDs to pull away.

Wilson Ingerski booted a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter for Shippensburg. In the fourth quarter, Derek Guzman scored on a five-yard TD pass from Vincent Micucci with 55 seconds left in the game to set the final.

Riley Gunnels went 15 of 23 for 97 yards for the Raiders then was spelled by Micucci who was 10 of 17 for 54 yards and 1 TD. Andre Weidman rushed for 66 yards, while Jaevon Parker was the top wideout with seven catches for 70 yards.

For the Vulcans, Kendrick Agenor rushed for a pair of fourth quarter TDs and ended up with 79 yards.

LOCK HAVEN 49, GANNON 28

LOCK HAVEN — The Lock Haven Bald Eagles secured the first winning season in 44 yards thanks to a dominating victory over Gannon in a PSAC crossover game on Saturday.

The Bald Eagles dominated the ballgame from start to finish, much to the delight of the home Hubert Jack Stadium crowd. The win, Lock Haven’s sixth of the season, helped the Bald Eagles clinch their first winning campaign since 1981.

Lock Haven finished 6-5, which included a 4-3 record in the PSAC East. The Bald Eagles, who honored 15 seniors before the start of the game, jumped on Gannon early and led 21-0 at halftime.

Lock Haven QB Jackson Ostrowsky sparked the offense, throwing for 459 yards on 31-of-43 passes and five TDs. Mekhi Watson and Jaiden Huntingdon combined for four TD catches as each hauled in a pair. Justin Popovich also had a TD grab as all three targets finished with more than 100 yards.

Watson also rushed for a score.

Ty Hurst ran for two TDs and 59 yards for Gannon (1-10, PSAC West 1-6) and Rolando Perez finished with 156 rushing yards and another score.