Back for yet another go as Juniata skipper — No. 46 for those keeping track — Gary Klingensmith has been prowling Dietrick Field’s sidelines for so long he’s coaching his third generation of football-playing Indians. Still chasing his 300th career victory — he’s at 263 right now — a veteran group should help the former Penn State standout get quite a bit closer to that sparkling milestone. Below is their Countdown to Kickoff preview.
School Name:Juniata Indians
Coach: Gary Klingensmith
Last Year: 4-6, 4-5 Tri-Valley
Last 5 Years: 23-25
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 8 on defense
Key Players: SE/DE Ed Hampton; OT/DT Matt Hosler; OG/DT Garitt McCartney; RB/LB Hank Moore; OT/DT Justin Towsey; RB/LB Ty Treaster; OL/DT Jubal Baker; QB/S Tyler Clark; FB/DT Josh Parson; QB/DB Cole Kellison; RB/S Patrick O’Donell; RB/LB Chantz Swartz
Offense Overview: While the presence of four returning starters up front would usually be more than enough to cause the run-happy Klingensmith to beam uncontrollably as his Indians ran off yet another power sweep or fullback dive, the presence of the multi-talented Clark under center really has Juniata’s five-decade coach excited. More pass plays? Undoubtedly since Clark should have better command of the Indians’ multi-faceted offensive system. Yet even if Juniata airs it out more than usual, a big line will still get plenty of work uprooting opposing linemen and backers so a nice mix of backs can advance the football.
Defense Overview: With six of the front seven Juniata employed in 2013 still on hand — the 230-pound Parson started last season as a freshman — the Indians will continue to flash the 4-3 look they’ve been utilizing for quite some time. Treaster also is a mighty big handful when he’s fighting off blockers and flagging down the football. Since there’s plenty of lettermen floating around and scrapping for playing time — Juniata has 20 lettermen available — the Indians will have one of the most-experienced clubs around. With more experience, should be more effective than the 2013 group.
Biggest Game: August 29 at Penns Valley. Since Klingensmith’s Indians are facing a stretch of early road scraps — construction on Dietrick Field may put Juniata on the road for the entire 2014 campaign — getting accustomed to playing and winning away from home needs to happen as soon as possible.
Early remarks: “We expect to have a more experienced team this year. We have 20 lettermen. It’s possible we could put lettermen at every position, and that’s something we couldn’t do for the last several years. I’ve got a competitive bunch of boys, too, and I think we’ll be much improved over last year. We can be in every game and I think we can win every game.” — Klingensmith
“I definitely know what to expect now. Just feel more confident going into each game. Played most of the teams already, so I know what to expect from them.” — Clark
“I’ve been playing with [Tyler] since we were younger and he just keeps progressing each year. I think we’re a real confident team right now. We’re ready to win some games.” — Treaster
More Juniata Indians:2014 schedule | 2014 roster
BULLOCK'S CRYSTAL BALL: Smacked and slowed considerably a season ago by the early loss of record-setting running back Neil Bodley to a hamstring tear after just one carry — Bodley is walking on at Penn State — Klingensmith’s resilient Indians still managed to piece together a respectable run while allowing Clark the chance to log needed experience at varsity speed. While the pieces all seem to be in place for a charge at the 2014 TVL crown, not being able to play on a torn-up Dietrick Field (geothermal wells are being installed) until midseason at the earliest may hamper the Indians. Even on the road, however, these guys will be test everyone they encounter.
More:Complete Countdown to Kickoff coverage
BULLOCK on Twitter: @thebullp_n