Hornet football squad falls to Troy

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 8, 2012

The Wellsboro football team suffered their first loss of the 2012 season as they fell to Troy, 45-7.

The Hornet defense came ready to play at the beginning of the game as they forced Troy to kick a field goal after the Trojans mounted a nice drive. Following the kickoff, Sophomore Michael Pietropola led the Hornet offense on a nice drive of his own. Pietropola hooked up with Senior Tight End Dan Saniga that put the Hornets inside the 20-yard line. Prior to Saniga's catch, Juniors Jermain Brooks and Wyatt Covert plowed through the Troy defense. Pietropola eventually capped off the drive with a five yard touchdown run to put Wellsboro up 7-0 after the Jack Chambers extra point.

On the following kickoff, Troy returned the ball 81 yards for the winning score early in the second quarter. Both Troy and Wellsboro traded offensive drives. The Hornets would mount another drive late in the first half and looked to strike, but fumbled inside the five-yard line to end the half.

The second half was all Troy, as they put up 28 unanswered points.

Pietropola went 4-17 through the air for 105 yards and 1 interception. Brooks led the ground attack as he picked up 121 yards on 18 carries. Pietropola added 86 yards on 10 carries and Covert pitched in 37 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, Junior Brian Doty and Senior Konnor Spencer each had 11 tackles.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 1-1 (1-1 NTL Large Division). The team will be back in action next Friday, September 14 as they host Cowanesque Valley.