Hornets wreck Rams

By: Ed Weaver | PIAA District IV | October 23, 2016

The Wellsboro Varsity Football scored 33 second half points on their way to a 48-0 shutout over Wyalusing on Saturday, October 22.

The shutout was the Hornets' sixth of the season, and Wellsboro had outscored their opponents 387-33 through 9 games this season. Wellsboro allowed just 141 total yards of offense on the afternoon (74 passing, 67 rushing).

"The defense continues to do what they've done all year," said head coach Matt Hildebrand after his 37th career win. "The put points on the board today as well. We had less than ideal conditions early on in the game but they held them and didn't let them (Wyalusing) put the ball in the end zone. They were out on the field a lot, we didn't have the ball on offense very much, but they did their job once again."

It took the Hornets a quarter to get started as the Hornets only had one drive in the first quarter, but after a sack by senior Dominic Spencer for a loss of 13 yards, the Hornets got things rolling. A 14 yard punt return started the Hornets at their own 33-yard line as junior Quinn Henry broke two long runs, 21 and 34, to put the Hornets on top 7-0 after senior Jacob Singer's extra point with 9:07 remaining in the first half.

The Hornet defense held Wyalusing to a three-and-out on their following drive with the help of a block in the back. After a short punt return by Henry, the Hornets turned to junior running back Chase Moser. Moser rushed for 43 yards on the drive, and almost scored on the drive, but as he reached the ball out for the end zone, he fumbled but senior Taylor Baker fell on it in the end zone for the touchdown. Wellsboro decided to go for two, and seniors Brandon Lamphier and Parker Jones connected for the score to put the Hornets up 15-0 with 4:05 remaining before halftime.

Wellsboro put the game away as the second half started as the defense scored an early touchdown. Junior Dalton Prough picked up a Ryan Kipp fumble and returned it 38 yards for the score to make it 22-0 with 9:10 left in the third quarter. Wellsboro only had the one touchdown in the third, but scored four times in the fourth quarter.

"We only had four possessions in the first half and only once in the third quarter," continued Hildebrand. "Once we had the ball we were able to stay consistent and just drive it down. Our offensive line has been playing great all year and they did again today. We have at least three running backs that can start on separate teams. We have a lot of guys that are doing great things right now."

Moser made up for his early fumble with an 8 yard run to start the fourth to make it 28-0, then junior Alex Kozuhowski scored from 5 yards out after the Wellsboro defense created another turnover to pus the score to 34-0. Freshman Aidan Hauser made it 41-0 with 3:45 left in the game from 21 yards out and freshman Alex Burrell scored the game’s final touchdown with 32 seconds remaining.

Wellsboro rushed for 395 yards as a team with Henry leading the was with 126 yards on 11 carries. He also threw for 47 yards on 5 completions. Moser carried the ball 13 times for 84 yards, senior Durpee Hosey had 55 yards on 8 touches, and Hauser finished with 50 yards on 3 attempts. Prough led the Hornet receivers with 1 catch for 29 yards.

Defensively junior Brent English led the team with 12 tackles, Spencer had 10 and a sack,and Jones made 8 stops. Moser also had 4 pass deflections on the afternoon.

Up next for Wellsboro is rival North Penn-Mansfield. Wellsboro sports a 9-0 record heading into the Morton F. Jones Trophy game, while North Penn-Mansfield is 8-1. Both teams are undefeated in the NTL Large School Division. The game will take place on Friday, October 28 at Mansfield University’s Karl Van Norman Field.

"To get through this week was huge for us, we have a good thing going and we want to keep it rolling. The rivalry itself motivates the kids. We need another good week of practice."

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