Hornets suffer 21-0 loss to Troy

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 26, 2021  /  Photo: Lance Larcom

After a 22-day layoff the Wellsboro Varsity Football team retook the field but came up short in a 21-0 loss to Troy on Saturday, September 25.

The Trojans also shutout Wellsboro last year, 41-0.

As the Hornets offense sputtered all night (Troy allowed just 29 yards of total offense in the first half and 127 for the game), the Trojans' were firing on all cylinders early. On their opening drive they put together a 12-play drive that chewed up nearly half of the first quarter clock. The drive ended in a 12-yard scamper by Clayton Smith with 6:54 remaining to put the Trojans ahead. Troy's second drive was another long one, 9 plays in fact, that got down to the Wellsboro 21 but the Hornet defense were able to get the ball back on a turnover on downs. Troy quickly got the ball back as they held Wellsboro to a three-and-out and just six plays in the entire first quarter.

As the Trojans started their third drive of the game from Wellsboro's 42-yard line, Wellsboro's defense kept them from the end zone. Troy elected to kick a field goal, converting the 29-yard attempt by Justice Chimics with 4:35 left in the half. Troy would add one more score, this time a 52-yard run by Chimics with 53 seconds left before halftime to take a 16-0 lead over Wellsboro after a missed extra point.

Both teams were scoreless through the the third quarter. Wellsboro started off and moved into Troy territory for the first time on the night on runs of 35 and 11 by senior Darryn Callahan but the drive stalled at the Trojan 37. Troy was forced to punt after a three-and-out but would get the ball back after a Hornet three-and-out. Wellsboro's defense again kept the Trojans out of the end zone and got the ball at their own 20-yard line, but Troy intercepted an Isaac Keane pass to take back over.

Their ensuing drive turned into another three-and-out but Damien Landon's punt pinned the Hornets inside their 10-yard line. Wellsboro was unable to muster any offense, and as they were forced to punt the snap went over the head of junior Joe Brown and out of bounds for a safety with 9:14 showing on the fourth quarter clock. After both teams traded drives the Trojans struck for the final time with 4:22 on the clock as Chimics booted a 25-yard field goal to make it 21-0.

Troy racked up 237 yards of total offense, with all but 13 yards (a pass from Chimics to Mason Woodward) came on the ground. Chimics led the Trojans with 100 yards on 10 carries, Landon had 63 yards on 18 attempts, and Smith finished with 59 yards on 27 runs.

Callahan led Wellsboro's ground attack with 81 yards (77 in the second half) on 10 carries. Keane carried the ball 8 times for 17 yards, junior Conner Adams had 7 yards on 3 attempts, and Brown ran the ball 4 times for 12 yards. Keane was 2-for-15 on the night for 10 yards. Callahan (3) and Brown (7) caught Keane's passes. Defensively Brown led Wellsboro with 13 tackles, junior Cameron Brought made 11 tackles, senior Ryan Sweet had 7 tackles and a pass deflection, and Callahan made 6 tackles.

The win improves Troy to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the NTL Large School Division standings. Wellsboro falls to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the NTL Large School Division. The Hornets are back in action next Friday, October 1 as they host Canton. At halftime of the game the Athletic Department and Booster Club will honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2020-21.