Wildcats Gnaw At Hornets, 68-7

By: Chris McGann  /  November 2, 2005  /  Photo: Tim McBride

The Wellsboro Green Hornets (3-6) suffered through a 68-7 loss to the possibly playoff bound Athens Wildcats (8-1) Friday night in the Hornet seniors' last home game.

The young Hornet team has been pretty banged up over the last few weeks. Some guys are playing out of their usual positions and other players have had to step up.

"We had to force some of the younger guys to grow up fast," Wellsboro head coach Chris Morral said.

He also credited Athens for their superior speed. "They are a good team," he said.

On its first possession of the game, Wellsboro tried to catch a little momentum on fourth-and-8 at the Hornet 33-yard line. Tim Shaw, usually the quarterback, dropped back for the punt. Instead, his pass to a wide open Chet Johnson fell incomplete and Athens took over.

"We went for a big play, but we didn't capitalize," Morral said.

Athens took eight plays to score its first touchdown on a short run bv freshman quarterback Shane Raupers. His extra point kick was no good and Athens took the 6-0 lead with 7:20 left in the first quarter.

Wellsboro showed some signs in its next possession as Jesse Tom ran for two straight seven yard gains to put the Hornets near midfield. The drive sputtered out there.

Things only got worse from there as Athens scored five plays later on a 45 yard run by Nate Townsand. Raupers pass to Nate Newman was good on the two-point conversion.

Athens would tack on seven more on its next possession after a three and out by Wellsboro. Davaun Stedge scored on a five yard run early in the second quarter.

Wellsboro again went three and out, and Zane Waite scored five plays later to take the margin up to 28-0.

A Wellsboro fumble on the subsequent possession gave Athens the ball at the Hornet 37-yard line. The Wildcats scored three plays later. Later in the second quarter, Athens burned the Hornets on a punt return that Townsand returned 43 yards for a touchdown. The missed extra point put Athens up 41-0 by halftime.

The Wildcats could have run the score higher, but elected to let time expire while holding the ball at the Wellsboro five-yard line.

The officials invoked high school football's version of the mercy rule in the second half. The clock did not stop in the second half because of the rule. But Athens came roaring out of the locker room and returned the opening kick off 83 yards for another touchdown.

Wellsboro got its only points of the game on a five yard Shaw run in the middle of the fourth quarter. At that point, though, Athens was up 61-7.

Wellsboro will close out their schedule at rival North Penn (7- 2), who also have playoff hopes on the line. The Panthers are looking to avenge last year's loss in the annual match for the Morton Jones Memorial Trophy. North Penn's only losses have been to Towanda and a one point loss to Athens.

"We have to get these guys up for this game," Morral said.