Homecoming Battle: Cardinals Victorious Against Indians

Colin Luckenbill attempts to score a touchdown after a huge block by number 51, Keith Koppenhaver.

Kolby Geesey, Staffer

The Pine Grove Cardinals matched up against the Juniata Indians as a Homecoming reschedule on Monday. The Cards starting quarterback, Josh Leininger, was finally able to play after coming back from his injury. The Cardinals were not shy about playing a game in the rain. Ayden Ney said, “I was excited to play in the rain. It made both teams have to protect the ball more.”  During the first quarter the Cardinals kept the ball on the ground for most of the time. They tore up Juniata’s defense and Dalton Kintzel pounded one in for a Cardinals touchdown. They decided to go for a 2 point conversion but did not succeed. The Cardinals got another possession but it ended up in a Juniata interception. The score at the end of the first quarter was 6-0.

In the second quarter, the Cardinals started out by feeding the running backs. Colin Luckenbill was given the rock on a bunch of occasions. Kinztel scored another touchdown for the Cardinals and they decided to go for 2 again. This time the Cardinals gave Luckenbill the ball yet again and were successful and made the score 14-0. Ney ran for a 49 yard touchdown and the Cardinals decided to kick the extra point, making the score 21-0. Leininger connected with Shea Morgan for a 23 yard touchdown to extend the Cardinals lead even more. Morgan kicked another extra point to make the score 28-0.

Juniata scored a touchdown on the ground chipping away at the Cardinals lead, but the 2 point conversion attempt failed making the score 28-6. At the start of the fourth quarter Juniata ran for another touchdown buy failed the 2 point conversion yet again. The score was 28-12 and Pine Grove had the ball. Pine Grove fumbled and Juniata recovered. Juniata tried to get some yards through the air but Morgan intercepted the pass. The Cardinals ran out the clock and with just a few seconds left they decided to take a knee. The Cardinals won the game 28-12.