All in all 2020 Homecoming was just not a good night for the James Buchanan Rocket football team.

The Rockets fell behind 21-0 and never got on track in their 34-6 setback to the Susquenita Blackhawks on Friday night in a Mid Penn Liberty Division game Rocket Stadium.

Despite coming up with 3 interceptions, 2 by Caden Stoner, and 2 fumble recoveries JB (0-3, 0-2 MPC) was unable to establish much of anything offensively.

Of the Rockets’ 47 offensive plays, 19 went for zero or negative yards. Stoner was sacked 10 times and of JB’s 11 offensive possessions: 5 were 3-and-out punts, 2 ended in interceptions, 1 ended with a fumble, 1 ended because of halftime and the final drive was a turn over on downs after 4 straight incompletions.

“I would have to say this game was lost in the trenches again,” JB coach Cliff Pine said. “We didn’t stay with our blocks or contain. We just have to keep grinding and working hard.”

Susquenita 6-foot-3 freshman QB Derek Gibney was a thorn in JB’s defensive side all game. Gibney rushed for the games first 2 TDS and made it 21-0 in the second quarter with a 39-yard TD pass to Michael Kurtz. Gibney finished the game with 107 yards rushing and 93 passing.

And just when the Rockets thought they had some momentum with Mason Line’s third quarter 19-yard TD catch from Stoner, that cut the deficit to 21-6, the Blackhawks squatted that quickly.

On the ensuing kickoff Austin Kenny fielded the kick at his own 20, busted straight up the field, and after breaking 3 tackles he cut right at midfield and raced up the right sideline for an 80-yard touchdown.

“That hurt because we finally had some momentum,” Pine said. “I don’t care what the score says this game or in the other losses, the one thing I will say about our team is – they never given up once. I’m proud of them.”

NOTES: Stoner finished the game 6 of 17 for 135 yards … Grant Ellis led JB with 2 catches for 77 yards … The Rockets play again next Friday at Juniata.

Susquenita 34, James Buchanan 6
Susquenita 6 15 7 6  – 34
James Buchanan 0 0 6 0 – 6
FIRST QUARTER
S – Derek Gibney 3 run (kick failed), 7:18
SECOND QUARTER
S – Gibney 9 run (Austin Kenny run), 6:15
S – Michael Kurtz 39 pass from Gibney (Adam Carmo kick), 2:05
THIRD QUARTER
JB – Mason Line 19 pass from Caden Stoner (run failed), 0:30
S – Kenny 80 kick return (Carmo kick), 0:08
FOURTH QUARTER
S – Louie Frisenda 12 run (kick failed), 8:55
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs – Sus 14; JB 10
Rushes-yds – Sus 35-222; JB 30-(-10)
Passing – Sus 6-13-3; JB 6-17-2
Passing yds – Sus 93; JB 135
Total yds – Sus 315; JB 125
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Sus – Derek Gibney 15-107, Frisenda 4-46, Laiken Miller 1-6, Mason Figard 1-3, Bryce McKee 3-11, Kenny 5-40, Tristen Brown 4-(-4), Drew Gibney 2-13; JB – Hunter Smith 5-16, Jacob Frey 7-(-1), C.Stoner 12-(-14), Grant Ellis 1-(-1), Nathan Brake 4-(-8), Line 1-(-2).
Passing – Sus – Derek Gibney 6-13-3-93; JB – C.Stoner 6-17-2-135.
Receiving – Sus — Kurtz 2-46, McKee 2-12, Kenny 1-22, Brandon McKensie 1-13; JB – Ellis 2-77, Line 2-34, Miller 1-13, John Stoner 1-11.
Interceptions – Sus – McKensie, McKee; JB – C.Stoner 2, Line.