On Friday, September 22, the West Branch Warrior football team took on the Juniata Valley Hornets. The game started like any other Friday night, as the Warriors received the opening kickoff. In the first play from scrimmage, West Branch’s own Tyler Biggans started the night off right with an explosive gain of 36 yards with his legs. The Warriors fell short of the endzone, however, Matthew Eirich converted a 27-yard field goal to put the Warriors up 3-0. In addition to giving the Warriors the lead, this field goal was also the first field goal of Matthew Eirich’s career. After the ensuing kickoff, the Warriors’ defense, led by Coach Terry Smeal, forced the Hornets to a three-and-out. This led to a Hornets punt that gave the Warriors offensive, led by Coach Skyler Shuey, possession at their 33-yard line. After a handful of carries from Azadio Vargas, Tyler Biggans connected with Craig Fluck for a 40-yard reception putting the Warriors on the Hornets’ 7-yard line. Shortly after the big gain, Tyler Biggans found Frankie Leskovansky open in the endzone. The Warriors then converted a 2-point conversion with Azadio Vargas, which made the score 11-0. The Hornets then lost control of the ball and Coby Kephart recovered the fumble. However, the Warriors gave the ball right back. Then an errant rolled snap into the endzone where it was recovered by Luke Liptak for a defensive touchdown. Once again the warriors went for two. They were able to convert, courtesy of the Warriors’ offensive line and Tyler Biggans, to put the score 19-0 at the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, the Hornets were able to build momentum. The Warriors’ defense, however, showed that they might have bent but they didn’t break and forced the Hornets to a turnover-on-downs. After taking possession from their own 44, Tyler Biggans threw a pristine pass to Wyatt Schwiderske down the sideline, which put the Warriors in scoring position. On the next play, Azadio Vargas punched the ball in for another Warrior touchdown. The Warriors were unable to convert the extra point and the score remained 25-0. Then, the Warriors’ kickoff unit was able to recover the kick after it was perfectly placed by Matthew Eirich. Coach Skylar Shuey relied on the Warriors’ offensive line and the rushing duo of Biggans and Vargas. Furthermore, the duo and the O-Line were able to work the ball inside of the Hornets 5. From there Tyler Biggans called his number and broke the plain of the endzone to put another 6-points on the board. After the score, the two teams would battle. Nonetheless, the half would end with our own West Branch Warriors leading 31-0.
During the halftime break, Warrior Nation celebrated the annual events of homecoming. The celebration would stick to it’s tradition beginning with the homecoming court being escorted onto the field by the expensive, flashy, and extravagant vehicles. The homecoming court made its way to midfield being announced as they arrived. This year’s candidates for homecoming queen were: Abby Diviney, Allison Shingledecker, Ciara Condon, Jenna Mertz, Payten Johnson, Brooklyn Myers, and Kaylianne Zitsch. This year’s candidates for homecoming king were: Azadio Vargas, Sage Carr, Tyler Biggans, Noah Emigh, Brody Rothrock, Zach McGonigal, and Wyatt Schwiderske. After the votes were tallied, it was determined that the homecoming king and queen were Mr. Noah Emigh and Ms. Kaylianna Zitsch, with Allison Shingledecker as the queen’s runner-up. The celebration concluded with a picture of the king and queen and the crown and tiara being placed on the winners. As the ceremony ended the teams made their way onto the field to begin the second half.
The Warriors kicked off to begin the second half. In the Hornets’ first play of the half Azadio Vargas bursted through the Hornets’ O-Line untouched and forced a fumble which once again was recovered by Coby Kephart. The next play started at the Hornets’ 30 where Tyler Biggans ran the ball up the middle untouched for another West Branch touchdown. After the extra point from Emma Bucha, the score was 38-0. Those would be the final points of the night from either team. As the Warriors reached the 35-point threshold, the game was concluded utilizing a running clock. The Warriors were able to hold on to the shut-out while also getting the younger players playing time. This included utilizing the run game that had been successful earlier that night. The new legs included Coby Kephart, Max Gibson, Connor Danko, and Jake Sample. The Warriors finished the night with a 38-0 shut-out victory over the undefeated Hornets while also improving to 1-4 on the season. Austin Kerin stated: “I think this huge win will give us major momentum and even the upper hand on the rest of the teams we play this year.” The Warriors will travel next week to take the Curwensville Golden Tide on Saturday, September 30.
