Football Bags Seven Landmark All-Conference Selections
Huntingdon, Pa.- Juniata Football secured a total of seven Landmark All-Conference selections following their third year under the leadership of Head Coach Blake Treadwell. Seven selections is the most the Eagles have had since 2013, when they bagged a total of seven Centennial All-Conference Selections. Following the emergence of many stars for the Eagles, they polished off the year with one first-team selection, four second-team selections, and two honorable mentions.
Dillon Wakefield was the first to get the nod for the Eagles, being named first-team Landmark All-Conference. Wakefield was second in the Landmark in tackles with 107. Wakefield's first full season on the defensive side of the ball was nothing short of a major success as he also secured three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Wakefield's 107 tackles were the most for the program since Josh Roy in 2008.
The next to secure a selection is one of the best Eagles to take the gridiron in recent history, Ethan Shank, as he secured his third consecutive appearance on the All-Conference second-team. Shank transitioned from safety to linebacker this year and blossomed, securing 90 total tackles on the year. Against Lycoming in the third quarter, Ethan secured his tenth tackle of the game, cementing him fourth all-time in program history in tackles (290) in only 34 total games. Shank knifed his way through opposing teams, filling up the stat sheet with two and a half tackles for loss, a forced fumble, five pass breakups, and one kick return.
Following up next is Wyatt Buell, who has stamped Knox Stadium with a mark of excellence during his time in the blue and gold. Buell was awarded for a stellar season with a second-team Landmark All-Conference nod, the first of his career. Buell punted for a total of 1,869 yards this fall, leaving him second all-time in total punting yards for the Eagles (8,869), only 163 yards behind the all-time leader (Owen Phillips) with 29 fewer punts. Wyatt was second in the Landmark this season with a 39.8-yard punting average, placing him fifth all-time in punting average for Juniata.
The next second-team Landmark selection was Ivan Foreman, who led the conference in rushing touchdowns (10) and led the Eagles in rushing yards with 909 on the season. Foreman's 909 rushing yards placed him second in the conference after averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He added 11 catches out of the backfield for 42 yards and also logged one tackle this fall. Ivan's season on the ground was the tenth best in Eagles history, following in the footsteps of Eagles running back Hunter Wolfley. Foreman's affinity for the end zone proved to be fruitful as the junior back scored a team-high 60 points. Foreman is no doubt a key returner for the Eagles next fall.
David Sanchez Perez was rewarded for his work in the trenches with a second-team Landmark selection. Sanchez-Perez is as tough as they come and earned his first selection on the back of the third-best rushing attack in the conference (1,637 yards) that secured a total of 16 rushing touchdowns. He also functions as a leader in the weight room for the Eagles with a bench press of well over 400 pounds.
Vaughn Phelps' hard work paid off as he was awarded his first All-Conference selection, being named an Honorable Mention. Phelps was key on both the run and the pass for the Eagles, dominating his opponents on the offensive line. He appeared in nine of ten games for the Eagles offense, which posted 19 redzone touchdowns under his leadership. Both Phelps and Sanchez-Perez return next fall for the Eagles, helping to solidify the line for their all-conference running back Ivan Foreman.
Another Eagle earned an All-Conference selection in defensive back Tucker Lowery. Lowery led not just the Eagles but the entire conference in interceptions (3) this fall. Lowery took seven career pass breakups into the year and added five more for a career total of 13. Earning his first Landmark All-Conference nod, Lowery recorded 28 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble in ten games. The junior out of Big Spring will look to build on his momentum next fall.
The Eagles finish their season with a record of 2-8 (0-6) after making big improvements overall as a team.