Former Bobcat And Wildcat Standouts Cal German And Breckin Rex Have Big Games As Juniata College Eagles Deliver First Victory To New Head Coach
Above photo: Juniata College Athletics – Cal German
Former Clarion Area Bobcats and Central Clarion Wildcats standouts, Cal German and Breckin Rex had solid outings in the Juniata College Eagles 31-21 home opener victory over the visiting Hartwick College (from Oneonta, New York) Hawks, at Knox Stadium on Saturday, September 16th.
The win was the first for the Eagles this season and the first home win. The victory has a bit of history wrapped around it, as it was the first ever for Juniata’s Head Coach Blake Treadwell who is in his first year as the Eagles’ mentor.
Breckin, a 5-11, 175 pound sophomore, had a strong game.
As a starter on Special Teams, Breckin had a number of big plays, including three tackles. For his efforts Breckin was named “Special Teams Player of the Week.”
The game also marks the first start at quarterback for Cal, a 6-0, 178 pound junior who completed 14 of 23 passes, for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles were down 14-3 at halftime. But Juniata had a big comeback in the second half.
Cal hit Makih Hunt with a 25 yard touchdown pass at 13:34 in the third and with the successful PAT by Alex Mullen, the Hawks’ lead was cut to 14-10.
With 6:35 left in the third, Joey Menke scored on a 73 yard run to give Juniata their first lead of the day and with the successful point after the score was 17-14 Eagles.
With 1:14 left in the quarter, Hartwick’s Nate Rush scored on a 35 yard pass from Dennis Riordan and with Ransome Turner’s point after, the Hawks had a 21-17 lead.
Juniata’s Hunter Wolfley scored on a four yard run with 13:46 of the fourth to give the Eagles the lead for good and with the PAT, the score stood at Juniata 24 – Hartwick 21.
Then with 12:02 left in the game, Cal hit Christian Gatlo from 5 yards out, and with Mullen’s extra point, the final was set.
Congratulations to Cal, Breckin and the rest of the Juniata College football team, which also includes former Breckin’s younger brother Ashton, who was a stand out wide receiver for the Central Clarion Wildcats. Ashton is listed on the Eagles roster as a 5-11, 165 pound wide receiver.
(Thanks to Juniata College Athletics for photos and information from their website!!)
Link to Juniata Athletics Article (has a nice video of Cal’s first touchdown pass)
https://juniatasports.net/sports/fball/2023-24/releases/20230916vrf1vv
Link to complete game statistics
https://juniatasports.net/sports/fball/2023-24/boxscores/20230916_kyhl.xml