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By Kevin Petrochko
For the Mirror
WILLIAMSBURG -- Coming off a blowout loss last week, the Juniata Valley Green Hornets came into Friday night's game against West Branch looking for a much-needed win in a game that was played in Williamsburg instead of Alexandria.
Thanks to their ground game, the Hornets secured a 46-19 victory over the West Branch Warriors at Veterans Memorial Field in Williamsburg.
"I feel good for these kids, because they worked extremely hard," Hornets coach Bill Musser said. "Some good things headed are way tonight and they took advantage of it."
Hornets sophomore running back Andrew Clark scored four touchdowns leading Juniata Valley to a 35-8 lead at halftime.
Before suffering an injury, Clark scored four of those six touchdowns.
With 8:11 left in the third quarter, JV's Vincent Hoover racked up a 13-yard touchdown run.
"We played good," Hoover said. "We played strong, There are small things we need to fix to improve for next week."
Juniata Valley quarterback Damian Williams finished the night with 191 passing.
"I honestly think we did great," Williams said. "Both sides of the ball, as a whole team, we played amazing."
With 3:33 left in the first quarter, West Branch receiver Evan Emigh hauled in an 85-yard touchdown pass to get the Warriors on the board.
Senior running back Kurtis Fetters also had a 52-yard touchdown for the Warriors.
"They played hard football," Warrior head coach Travis McDowell said. "Coach Musser had a great game plan."
Juniata Valley has a total of 11 players from Williamsburg on its roster because of its co-op program.
The Hornets were very pleased to play a game in Veterans Memorial Field.
"This was special to be here tonight," Musser said. "It shows the co-op and the friendship that's being built here."
Play of the game: Junior running back Bobby Hess racked up a 14-yard touchdown run to close out the win for Juniata Valley
Player of the game: Clark finished the night with 18 carries for 129 yards.
Unsung hero: After Clark got hurt, Hoover took over the running game.
Most vital statistic: The Hornets racked up 36 carries for 218 yards.
Musser: "My players are starting to understand what it takes at practice to be successful. My coaches haven't really waivered from the message that we've been sending from the beginning of the year."
Hoover: "I just needed to score. I needed to help the team out so I did.
Notable: The Hornets were one yard shy of 600 yardds on offense.
Records: Juniata Valley (2-3) West Branch (0-5)
Next week: West Branch hosts Curwensville. Juniata Valley travels to Moshannon Valley
SCORE BY QUARTERS
West Branch 8 0 0 8 -- 16
Juniata Valley 7 28 14 0 -- 49
First Quarter
JV--Clark 1 run (Dick kick), 7:34.
WB--Emigh 85 pass from Danko (Danko run), 3:33.
Second Quarter
JV--Clark 1 run (Clark run), 9:14.
JV--Clark 2 run (Clark run), 6:16.
JV - Clark 15 run (Williams run) 4:37
JV - Rand 5 pass from Williams (Rodkey kick) :26
Third Quarter
JV--V.Hoover 13 run (Clark run), 8:11.
JV--Hess 1 4 run (Kick failed), 1:27
Fourth Quarter
WB--Fetters 32 run (Fetters run), 5:49.
TEAM STATISTICS W JV
First downs 5 14
Total yards 310 599
Rushes-yards 14-69 36-218
Yards passing 241 381
Pass (comp.-att.-int.) 6-13-2 9-17-1
Punts-avg. 5-31.8 3-28
Fumbles-lost 3 1
Penalties-yards 4-30 5-45
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--West Branch, Kephart 7-5, Dunlap 2-7 Danko 12-1, Emigh 1-0, Fetters 2-53, Fluck 2-7. Juniata Valley, Clark 18-129, Williams 3-(-22) V. Hoover 7-95, Mease 1-0, Hess 2-20, Rodkey 3-3, McCall 1 (-6), Aaron O 2-(-1).
PASSING--West Branch, Danko 6-13-156-2 . Juniata Valley, Williams 8-13-191-1 Rand 0-2-0-0 Clark 1-1-3-0.
RECEIVING--West Branch, Mentzer 1-32, Kephart 1-1, Koleno 1-23, Leskovansky 1-5 Emigh 1-85. Juniata Valley, V. Hoover 2-24, Norris 3-106, Rand 1-12 B.Hoover 1-12, Z. Dick 1-33, Rand 1-3.