Hornets down Redskins 40-26

By: Chris McGann  /  September 28, 2006  /  Photo: Tim McBride

The Wellsboro Green Hornets (1-3) notched their first victory of the season as they downed Sayre 40-26 in the Redskins' debut at the newly renovated Lockhart Street Bowl.

Friday night featured offense as the Hornets and Redskins combined for ten total touchdowns and both teams managed nearly 400 yards of offense each.

"Overall, it was a great team effort," said Wellsboro head coach Chris Morral.

He went on to say that the Hornets stepped up their play and the starters showed leadership, something that has been lacking all season.

Morral particularly noted the play of senior quarterback Tim Shaw as well as fullback Erik Coolidge, who came into the game to replace an injured Jesse Tom. Tom has been the Hornets' starting running back since last season.

Morral also noted the play of the offensive line.

"They controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game," he said.

One area of concern is the play of the defense. Early on they did not have an answer for Sayre's Andy Podolinski. Wellsboro made some adjustments to contain him and came away with the win.

Sayre struck first on the opening drive of the game. A key to the drive was a 30 yard run by Podolinski, that put the ball on the Hornet three yard line. Michael Cooley later took the ball in on a quarterback keeper. The two point conversion was no good and Sayre took the 6-0 lead.

The Hornets turned the ball over on their first possession, but managed to hold Sayre on a key fourth down and four.

Wellsboro then took the ball most of the length of the field and Jake Monks scored the touchdown with 1:49 left in the opening quarter. With a failed extra point attempt, the Hornets knotted the score at 6-6.

In the opening of the second quarter, Wellsboro and Sayre traded another set of touchdowns on the next two series. Podolinski scored for Sayre while Shaw took one in for the Hornets. A pair of missed conversion attempts tied the score at 12-12.

Unfortunately for Wellsboro, Tom, their senior running back, left the game during that series with an injury. However, a very capable Coolidge came in to replace him.

Podolinski hurt the Hornets again as he took Wellsboro's next kickoff 70 yards to the house. He also hit the extra point to give the Redskins a 19-12 lead.

Wellsboro was unable to do anything on their next possession and was forced to punt.

Sayre took over and drove to inside the Hornet red zone and with less than a minute remaining in the half, Cooley threw two incomplete passes.

On the last play of the half, Wellsboro's Patrick Driebelbies picked up a Sayre fumble and returned it 86 yards for the touchdown with no time on the clock gave the Hornets a 20-19 lead and the momentum going into the locker room.

"It was nice to get the momentum going into the second half," said Morral, adding that the whole game was marked by momentum shifts.

In the opening plays of the third quarter, the two teams traded turnovers. Sayre picked up a Hornet fumble at the Redskin 35-yard line.

Three plays later Sayre was facing a third down and 12. Shaw, playing in the Wellsboro secondary on defense, picked off a pass. He sealed the deal on the ensuing drive with a touchdown run on third and goal. The two point attempt was no good, but Wellsboro took the 26-19 lead.

Sayre responded and knotted the score again on the first play of the final quarter on a quarterback sneak. The extra point tied the score again at 26-26.

On the next drive, Jake and Erik Coolidge did most of the work as the Hornets marched down a long field. Shaw again put the ball in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. The extra point gave Wellsboro the 33-26 lead.

The Hornets were not finished yet. Sayre fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Patrick Eaton came up with the ball for Wellsboro. On the next play, Jake Coolidge took the ball in from 20 yards out. The extra point sealed the 40-26 victory.

Next up for the Hornets is a home contest this Friday against Towanda (3-1).