Juniata Valley Green Hornets pull out win in defensive gem against Moshannon Valley

HOUTZDALE -- Juniata Valley had won six of the last seven games against Moshannon Valley going into Friday night's game at Mo Valley's CNB Bank Stadium.

There were points during the first 44 minutes of a scoreless game that it looked like the Black Knights would overcome that history.

But then the Green Hornets went on a 13-play, 70-yard drive that ended with running back Andrew Clark scoring on a 6-yard run with 3:06 left for the first points of the defensive tussle.

Despite a 75-yard kickoff return by Rocco Reifer, the Black Knights' rally ended with a fourth-down incompletion in the end zone, giving the Green Hornets a 7-0 win.

"They're very well coached," Mo Valley coach Michael Keith said. "(JV coach Bill) Musser does a really good job. They're disciplined. They had a great game plan tonight. Hat's off to them."

"It's feels really good because that was truly a team effort tonight," Musser said. "I don't think we had anybody who stood out individually more than just a team coming together and working hard."

Offensive plays of the game: The Green Hornets converted three third-down plays into first downs on the scoring drive. A Clark 2-yard run, a 9-yard run by freshman quarterback Liam Lightner and a 15-yard pass from Lightner to Elah Glenny gave the Hornets a first down at the Mo Valley 25.

Back-to-back 7-yard runs, including another first down run by Lightner, moved the ball to the 11. Clark followed his 5-yard run to the 6 by running right, cutting inside and scoring with 3:06 left.

"If you look at that drive, we had different individuals make plays throughout that drive," Musser said.

Player of the game: It's weird to give it someone in a loss, but this goes to Reifer, who ran for

153 yards on 20 carries, caught two passes for 31 yards and returned a kickoff 75 yards.

Almost going the distance: With Mason Abernethy and Reifer back for the kick after the JV score, Reifer took the kickoff, cut to the Mo Valley sideline and raced toward the end zone. He was eventually tackled at the JV 15.

"He's a playmaker," Keith said. "That's why they're back there -- because they make plays. I was hoping (Reifer would go the whole way). It would have saved some years off of my life."

"That was 100 percent on me," Musser said. "We worked all week not to kick him the ball."

One last shot: The long return was followed two runs and a pass that netted only 2 yards. Mo Valley quarterback Brady Mihalko threw a fourth-down pass to Jack Moore in the end zone, but Anthony Neri's tight coverage prevented the touchdown.

"Neri made a real nice play on the pass play down here on fourth down," Musser said.

Making defensive stands: The Black Knights were inside the Juniata Valley 20-yard line four times and couldn't score.

"I think our defense played well," Musser said. "They were put in some pretty difficult positions."

Unsung hero: Juniata Valley lineman Matt Dick made a number of defensive plays, including two sacks. 

Records: Juniata Valley (4-2); Moshannon Valley (4-2).

Next week: Juniata Valley hosts Mount Union. Moshannon Valley visits Curwensville.  

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Juniata Valley 0 0 0 7 -- 7

Moshannon Valley 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Fourth Quarter

JV--Clark 6 run (Rodkey kick), 3:06

TEAM STATISTICS JV MV

First downs 10 15

Total yards 74 254

Rushes-yards 34-116 42-185

Yards passing 58 69

Passing (comp.-att.-int) 7-16-1 7-19-1

Punts-avg. 5-28.2 2-33.5

Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 2-15 5-46

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Juniata Valley, Lightner 10-61, Clark 22-56, Smith 1-0, TEAM 1-(-1). Moshannon Valley, R. Reifer 20-153, Kephart 16-62, Abernethy 1-0, Mihalko 5-(-30).

PASSING--Juniata Valley, Lightner 7-16-1-58. Moshannon Valley, Mihalko 7-19-1-69.

RECEIVING--Juniata Valley, Glenny 5-44, Norris 1-10, Neri 1-4. Moshannon Valley, R. Reifer 2-31, Kephart 2-21, Abernethy 2-9, Moore 1-8.