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Hornets savor home victory

Photo for the Mirror by Chuck Meyers Juniata Valley’s Jacob Rodkey fights off an Everett tackle attempt along the sideline on Friday night.

ALEXANDRIA — It took three games and four weeks for the Juniata Valley Green Hornets to finally get a game at home.

“That was awesome,” Green Hornet coach Bill Musser said of his team’s home opener. “(The fans) turned out so well tonight, we just want to make sure we do the appropriate things and play hard for our fans here at home.”

They didn’t waste much time putting on a show for the home crowd and crushed Everett, 42-0, Friday night in Inter-County Conference action at A.R. Simkins Memorial Field on senior night.

Play of the game: Hornet QB Lambert Palmer launched a 43-yard bomb to Jacob Rodkey for a first down in the second quarter. That set up Palmer for a score on a QB keeper for a 21-0 lead with 9:19 in the period.

Player of the game: Rodkey had three catches of 20 yards or more en route to racking up 95 yards receiving, including a score from 20 yards out in the second to activate the running clock.

Musser on Rodkey: “He’s been working hard. He was out the first two weeks of the season, and when he came back, he’s put in the extra time, and extra work and it’s really paying off.”

Unsung heroes: The Juniata Valley defense pitched a shutout after coming off a bye week.

Most vital statistics: The Hornets had 18 first downs to the Warriors’ 5 while racking up 302 yards of total offense to Everett’s 93.

Musser on strong start: “That’s been a focus this year, to get out early. Come out, play four quarters of football. In the past we’ve been dogged a little bit by not getting out, and letting teams play longer with us than they need to be.”

Everett coach Dave Lightner: “We knew our back was against the wall. We brought half our roster. It’s a rough situation right now, but the only thing I told these kids is that I want you to fight. I’m proud of the kids for keeping their heads up.”

Rodkey: “Adrenaline running. It was my first game starting on offense. Every time I had a chance to make a play, I did the best to take advantage of that.”

Musser on growth since co-op with Williamsburg formed: “You can definitely see the chemistry there. I’ve said it all along, the co-op was going to work. These kids are going to make it work. We as adults just need to stay out of the way.”

Notable: Juniata Valley recognized both their own seniors and the seniors from Williamsburg during the pregame ceremony. … The Green Hornets had 137 yards passing all in the first half. … The game was finished on a mercy rule due to Rodkey’s touchdown catch late in the first half. … Much of Everett’s roster was not available due to health and safety protocols.

Records: Everett (0-4); Juniata Valley (4-0)

Next week: Everett hosts Northern Bedford, while Juniata Valley makes the trip to Hollidaysburg to play Claysburg-Kimmel next Friday.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Everett 0 0 0 0 — 0

Juniata Valley 14 21 7 0 — 42

First Quarter

JV–Johnson 11 pass from Palmer (Rodkey kick), 8:35.

JV–Johnson 13 run (Rodkey kick), :23.

Second Quarter

JV–Palmer 3 run (Rodkey kick), 9:19.

JV–Rand 12 pass from Edwards (Rodkey kick), 5:19.

JV–Rodkey 20 pass from Edwards (Rodkey kick), :11.

Third Quarter

JV–Allison 1 run (Rodkey kick), 3:56.

TEAM STATISTICS E JV

First downs 5 18

Total yards 93 302

Rushes-yards 30-74 38-165

Yards passing 19 137

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 4-9-2 6-8-0

Punts-avg. 4-26.5 1-14

Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0

Penalties-yards 1-5 2-10

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Everett, Akers 10-2, Price 4-28, Bumgardner 3-8, Zinn 1-1, Klahre 4-2, Harman 2-12, Conrath 1-6. Juniata Valley, Rand 12-76, Copenhaver 3-7, Palmer 3-35, Rodkey 1-4, Johnson 1-13, Miller 1-4, Edwards 1-0, Allison 3-11, Hoover 6-25, Weirich 2-0.

PASSING–Everett, Akers 4-9-2-19. Juniata Valley, Palmer 4-5-0-85, Edwards 2-3-0-52.

RECEIVING–Everett, Price 2-16, Iseminger 1-0, Bumgardner 1-3. Juniata Valley, Rand 1-20, Johnson 1-11, Musser 1-11, Rodkey 3-95.

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