By Kenny Varner

MIFFLINTOWN – Friday night the Homecoming crowd who gathered to watch their Juniata football team battle Newport were treated to a special night

Both Newport and Juniata came in with identical records at 4-2.

But on this night, the Indians, who have been a mostly second half team came out firing on all cylinders against a stunned Buffalos’ squad.

Posting 28 in the first half, the Indians went on to dominate Newport in all aspects of play, winning 49-14.

The defense allowed seven yards rushing in the first half.

Jasper Shepps seemed to be everywhere in the first half, picking up two rushing touchdowns and an interception.

Shepps finished with five touchdowns (2 running, 2 pass catching and a punt return), and he had an interception for good measures as well.

Defensively, Juniata kept Newport at bay, limiting them to six yards rushing and 37 yards through the air.

They had two sacks and held the Buffaloes to just three first downs.

On special teams, the Indians blocked a punt for a score by Isaac Ramirez.

“I thought the kids came out with a a lot of energy and everything was clicking,” said Juniata coach Kurt Condo. “Defense played lights out tonight and special teams played well. Everything just went well for us tonight.”

In the first quarter, the Indians scored on their first possession. Lined up in the Wildcat formation, Shepps broke free from the line and rushed it 34-yards for the rushing TD . With the PAT by Andel Lopez Kick at 4:48 left in the opening period.

Minutes later, Juniata was back on the scoreboard when JUN – Ramirez blocked a punt and picked it up for the 43-yard pick up, giving his team a 14-0 with 2:39.

Things continued to roll for the”Big Red” in the second as they notched two more touchdowns.

Quarterback Jason Condo aired it out to Colton Rowles for a 22-yards TD pass 7:23.

With the clock running down in the half, Shepps added a 41-yard run for his second touchdown with 1:00 left.

At the intermission, the Indians held a strong 28-0 advantage.

Things continued to roll for the Indians in the second half as they would take the possession of the ball first in the third.

Juniata continued to hammer the Buffaloes with its run game, taking the ball downfield and into Newport territory.

With the ball on the 21 of the Buffaloes and facing a 3rd and 18, Condo went back to the air and found Shepps on a 21-yard hook up for the touchdown and putting the game into the “Mercy Rule” with 9:01 on the clock.

On their next offensive possession, the Indians added yet another TD pass from Condo to Shepps, this time it would be a 77-yard hook up for the TD. With Lopez kick at 4:27, Juniata upped its lead to 42-0.

In the final stanza, special teams would again make a statement for “Big Red” on another punt return. Shepps again gave his fans more to cheer about as he took a punt and blazed his way downfield for a 65-yard Punt return, making it a 49-0 lead with 10:46 to go.

But Newport refused to go down without a fight as they scored on their final two drives to ruin the shut out attempt.

Quarterback Tevin Arnold went to the air a tossed a 15-yard TD pass to Zach Bates, putting his team on the scoreboard at 8:55. Bates’ PAT was also successful, making it a 49-7 contest.

Newport again pushed the ball downfield the field late, Arnold found Justin Still on a 53-yard TD pass to to end the game scoring at 49-14.

With the win, the Indians improve to 5-2 as they are back at home next week against Greencastle -Antrim.