TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Lock Haven running back Damir Green (5) is stuffed at the goal line during a home football game against West Chester on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Hubert Jack Stadium. The Bald Eagles fell 35-19, ending a three-game win streak for the team and putting them back at .500.

LOCK HAVEN — It was shaping up to be a high profile matchup for the (5-5) Lock-Haven Bald Eagles on Saturday, as they played host to the (6-4) Shepherd Rams. The Haven were on a hot streak, coming off three wins in a row, but they ran into the horns of a Rams team that had rattled off five straight wins.

After a hard fought four quarters that almost saw a Lock Haven comeback, it would be Shepherd who emerged with the 35-19 win. Here are my five takeaways from the game:

Goal-line Offensive struggles return

Being inside the five-yard line typically results in points more often than not, but that has not exactly been the case for Lock Haven this season. Multiple times throughout the year the Bald Eagles have been stuffed in the redzone, a trend reared its head again Saturday.

After an interception in the endzone by safety Tyler Merwarth on the opening drive, the Haven offense quickly moved down the field, ending up in first and goal at the Shepherd 2-yard line. But just when it seemed they were destined to take an early lead, the Lock Haven offense froze. Four straight times the Bald Eagles attempted to punch it in on the ground, and four straight times the Rams stood their ground. Failing to capitalize on goal to go is something we have seen from Lock Haven before, as memories of the Kutztown game this season where it took them 11 times to score inside the five still linger. The run game has been a positive of the Bald Eagles offense this season, but it seems to be a concerning pattern that when they need one yard, they often struggle to get the push required to pick it up.

Offensive inconsistencies

The Bald Eagle offense had been on a tear as of late, scoring 28 points in four of their last five matchups going into the Shepherd game. But on Saturday, the Lock Haven offense ran into some issues, not only struggling to score on the goalline but even to just keep drives going. Lock Haven would be shut out in the first half, and had problems with turnovers as well.

Quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky’s performance was a mixed bag, as he threw three touchdowns, but also having three passes picked off. Pair that with a run game that only managed 10 yards in the first half and struggles getting receivers open at times down the field, and its no surprise that Lock Haven had their fair share of problems scoring. Due to the issues on the ground, Ostrowsky ended up attempting 51 passes in the game, marking the fifth game in a row he’s attempted over 35.

A bright spot for the Haven passing attack Saturday was receiver Justin Popovich, who ended with 99 yards and two scores.

Despite the struggles, offensive creativity was not a concern in the slightest as Lock Haven reached deep into the bag of tricks. Reverse flea flickers, kickoff reverses, and even lining offensive lineman up at receiver were all things that the Bald Eagles attempted, to pretty good success, as they tried to fight their way back into the game. Afterwards Lock Haven head coach Joe Battaglia talked about the trick plays, and how there may be more in the tank next week.

“We started practicing stuff weeks ago, in hopes of getting specific looks,” said Battaglia. “That one where Lance [Becoats] played receiver, we knew nobody would be where the tight end was. We got through half of them this week, We have even more.”

Comeback not meant to be

After going down 21-0 in the second half, things felt dire for Lock Haven and worry spread that Shepherd would run away with the game. But, much like last year’s game versus the Rams, the Bald Eagles would attempt a comeback bid that would fall just short.

An Ostrowsky to Popovich touchdown would get the party started, before an Evan Slystra receiving touchdown made the score 21-13 as the fourth quarter began.

But just when it looked like LHU would find themselves back into the game, the Rams rushing attack took control. Shepherd running back Jordan Barnett managed to spring loose for a 49-yard touchdown, a back breaking play that the Haven never recovered from. Barnett would end the game with 132 yards and two TDs on the ground, leading the charge for the Rams.

Lock Haven would find another score as Ostrowsky hooked up with Popovich for a second time. But their comeback attempt would be in vain as a missed onside kick sealed their fate.

Special teams had its moments, good and bad

It has been an incredibly strange year for the Lock Haven special teams unit, with many positives, and negatives to look at. True Freshman kicker Kaden Bauer has had the ebbs and flows expected of a young kicker, but when it comes to extra points he has been money for most of the season. Coming into Saturday’s game Bauer was 24-of-27 on extra points on the year, but he has struggled with having his kicks blocked. Two of his three misses were because of blocks, and that would be the case against the Rams, as they managed to block two of his kicks Saturday.

But while the Lock Haven kicking unit has struggled with blocked kicks, the punt coverage unit certainly has not. The Bald Eagles have a handful of blocked punts on the year, and they added two more notches on their belt Saturday. Rams punter Daishaun Alexander had one punt partially blocked midway through the third, before Cazhiere Richardson got a clean block on the very next Shepherd punt.

History has to wait a week

Lock Haven had the chance to win six games for the first time since 1981 on Saturday, but the Shepherd defeat means that Bald Eagles fans have to wait one more week for a chance at history.

They will play host for the final game of the regular season on Saturday against the (1-9) Gannon Golden Knights. After the game, Battaglia talked about how his team is ready to go next week and try to end the season on a high note.

“The guys are really excited to get this taste out of their mouth and go 1-0 next week,” said Battaglia. “It’s gonna be good to get back out there and hopefully get that big dub.”