Eagles hunting bounceback season on the gridiron
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HUNTINGDON -- Wins have been hard to come by for the Juniata College football team. With their 2026 opener on Thursday, it's time for the Eagles to make a statement.
Last year, the Eagles went 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the Landmark Conference. Juniata ended the season on an eight-game losing streak.
But, Eagles fans can remain hopeful as the team brings in several seniors, including linebacker Riley Clevenger, receiver Nick Rice, defensive back Tucker Lowery, linebacker Dillon Wakefield, defensive back Cole Claycomb, quarterback Ethan Eisenberg, receiver Makih Hunt (Juniata H.S. alumnus), d-lineman Conner McCracken, linebacker Alex Lemus, quarterback Talan Middleton, running back Ivan Foreman, receiver Kyle Lamb, running back Daniel Smith, defensive back Logan Williams, long snapper Ian Bennett, linebacker Eric Jallah, offensive linemen Tyler Davis, David Sanchez Perez, Vaughn Phelps, Caleb Frazier and Carl Dyer. There's also receiver Zay Huffstutler, tight end Abraham Achile and d-lineman Sam Gunning.
Former local high school athletes competing at Juniata include Hunt and Parker Boop (Midd-West).
Altoona alumni or Altoona natives with the Juniata College football program include Mikey Chisolm, Ian Bennett, Khamden Thompkins and Joseph Eckenrode.
At quarterback, Eisenberg, Middleton and Zachary Grande return to the team for 2026. Eisenberg played the most games last season. He played in nine contests and complete over 54% of his passes for 1,091 yards and two touchdowns with seven picks.
Last year, the Eagles had three quarterbacks attempt 14 or more passes. Isaiah Randall had the most TDs with three.
Foreman will look for more success on the ground as he posted over 900 yards in 2025 with 10 touchdowns with 175 carries. Alex Eaton toted the rock for more than 190 yards on 56 rush attempts.
At receiver, Carter Marr led the Eagles with 293 yards and Brysen Delaney was second on the team with 241 yards. Tight end Jordan Horm corralled 154 yards.
Juniata averaged more than 15 points per game and about 136 passing yards per contest. The Eagles posted roughly 165 rushing yards a game.
On defense, the Eagles tallied only eight sacks and they collected six picks with Lowery getting half of them.
Wakefield led the Eagles in tackles with 107 total and 60 solo tackles.
The Eagles defense gave up almost 248 rushing yards per contest and 221 passing yards per ballgame. Juniata College allowed 36.6 points per game.
Blake Treadwell returns for his fourth season as the Eagles head football coach. Luc Polglaze is the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach (first year with the program) and Matthew Adolph is the defensive coordinator (second season at JC).
In the 2026 Landmark Football Preseason Coaches Poll, Juniata is picked to finish last in the conference (seventh place). Susquehanna is predicted to finish first with Lycoming picked for second place and Wilkes for third.
WestConn was chosen for fourth place, Catholic for fifth and Moravian for sixth.
The Eagles host Gettysburg at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Knox Stadium.
Other notable games on the season schedule include Wilkes visiting Knox on Oct. 3 and the Eagles making the trip to face Lycoming on Oct. 17.
Then, Juniata wraps up its season in Selinsgrove against league-favorite Susquehanna.
The most points Juniata scored last season came during a 40-38 win versus Allegheny (9/13/2025). Eight days earlier, Juniata netted a 31-30 victory against Gettysburg.
Juniata College
2026 Football Schedule
9.3 Gettysburg, 7p
9.12 at Allegheny, 1p
9.19 McDaniel, 2p
9.26 The Coll. of New Jersey, 1p
10.3 Wilkes, 12p
10.10 at Moravian, 12p
10.17 at Lycoming, 1p
10.31 at WestConn, 1p
11.7 Catholic, 12p
11.14 at Susquehanna, 12p