(Huntingdon, Pa.) – The Dickinson football team traded scores with host Juniata all afternoon, but the Eagles held on for a thrilling 38-35 decision in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams.

The Red Devils scored on their first possession after a 19 yard kick-off return by sophomore James Ward (Hatfield, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) to start the drive from the 31 yard line.

Ward capped the 69-yard scoring drive with a 10 yard touchdown catch from senior Cole Ahnell (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) with 10:50 to put the Red Devils on the board first.

The defense held Juniata to a field-goal as Kevin Bonalie converted from 32 yards out.

Ahnell led the Devils on another scoring drive, scoring on a two-yard run with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter. Ahnell connected with Brent Scardapane (New York, N.Y./ Xavier) for a 19 yard pass and broke a 14 yard run in the drive. Cedric Madden (Norristown, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) also ran well in the series.

Ward Udinski broke free for a 59 yard run down the left sideline to pull the Eagles within four, 14-10, at the end of the quarter.

The Eagles forced a punt and Udinski followed up with another scoring drive to put Juniata in front, 17-14, with 8:15 remaining in the first half. Udinksi tossed a 25 yard pass to Hunter Phillips and found the end zone on a two yard keeper for the lead.

Juniata struck again, going to the air to stretch the lead to 24-14, with just 2:01 to play in the half. Michael John ran 30 yards to put the Eagles in Red Devils' half of the field before Udinski completed a 40 yard touchdown pass to Kirby Breault.

Dickinson answered right back, starting with another strong kick-off return. This time junior Anders Overhaug (Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth) went 25 yards to the 31 yard line. Ahnell found senior Devin Gaby (Arlington, Va./Yorktown) for a 23 yard scoring strike into the back corner of the end zone.

The teams traded a pair of long touchdown passes to open the second half. Udinksi went over the top to hit Isiah Slutter for a 79 yard touchdown.

Ahnell responded with a 65 yard touchdown pass to Overhaug to pull Dickinson back within a field-goal at 31-28.

Mark Manganaro (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) almost came up with a huge interception with a diving pass break-up, deep in Red Devil territory. The defense held and the Devils took advantage of a crucial Juniata penalty, backing the Eagles up to a fourth down and 20 situation, forcing them to punt.

Dickinson turned the tables on the Eagles, scoring on another Ahnell dive to overtake the hosts, 35-31, to start the fourth quarter. The Devils went 76 yards to take the lead at the 13:31 mark.

Senior captain Walker Moriarty (Snowmass Village, Colo./Aspen) sacked Udinski to stop the Eagles and force a punt. Juniata did the same, leading to a 54 yard punt from Austin High (Wilmington, Del./Archmere).

Juniata took over at their own 13 yard line with 10:50 remaining in the game. They moved the ball into the red zone as Udinski escaped a sack and scrambled to the Devils' 15 yard line. He kept the ball on the next play to make it first and goal from the 10. He called a quarterback draw two players later and went into the end zone to swing the lead back to the Eagles, 38-35, with 4:01 on the clock.

Overhaug returned the ensuing kick-off to the 28 yard line to start the drive. Ahnell escaped a sack of his own, gaining eight yards on the first play from scrimmage. Dickinson came up short on third and eight. They went for it first down, but the Juniata secondary was able to knock away a pass attempt to give the Eagles possession at midfield with 2:02 left to play.

The Devils had three timeouts remaining to try and manage the clock to get one more possession. The defense came up with another big stop, forcing an incomplete pass on third down, saving the Devils one timeout.

A substitution penalty on the punt proved costly, however, as it was enough for a first down. That allowed Juniata a chance to run out the clock.

Madden had a big day rushing, covering 115 yards on 22 carries. Ahnell finished just shy of the century mark, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns. The senior captain passed for another 190 yards and three touchdowns in the Centennial Conference opener.

Overhaug turned in another strong performance, making one catch for a 64 yard touchdown while adding 62 yards on three kick-off returns. Ward finished with 75 yards, returning four kick-offs on the day.

Sophomore Ned Emala (Baltimore, Md./Gilman School) led the defense with 11 solo tackles while Moriarty made six solo tackles, including a pair of sacks for minus 18 yards and three tackles-for-loss, covering 19 yards.

Senior captain Connor Thompson (Jenkintown, Pa./Father Judge) and Clem Rinaldi (Moscow, Pa./Scranton Prep) each tallied seven tackles.

Udinski finished 16-of-28, passing for 249 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He ran for another 129 and scored three times on the ground.

The Red Devils slip to 0-2 on the season. They return to Carlisle for homecoming weekend on September 20^th, hosting Susquehanna University at 1:00 pm.