Morral Eclipses 1,000 Yards On The Season, Hornets Roll Past Northwest Area

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 18, 2025  /  Photo: Dr. Robert Bair

Sophomore Quarterback Griffin Morral eclipsed 1,000 yards passing for the 2nd consecutive season as the Wellsboro Varsity Football team rolled past Northwest Area, 55-8, on Friday during Senior Night.

"Our guys came out and played inspired football on Senior Night," commented head coach Matt Hildebrand. "This group has done a lot for this program from where we were four years ago to now. All the seniors played great tonight and I'm really proud of them."

The Hornets made quick work of the Rangers as junior Max Mascho returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a score in the opening 13 seconds.

Senior Marek Mascho scored the next two Hornet touchdowns. He caught a 31-yard pass from Morral with 8:23 left in the opening quarter, then ran in from 10 yards out with 3:50 left to play.

Senior Cole Knapp put Wellsboro's fourth touchdown on the scoreboard after a 16-yard run 30 seconds later, giving the Hornets a 27-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

Max Mascho opened the 2nd quarter scoring 20 seconds in as he hauled in a 39-yard pass from Morral. Senior Dylan Copp ran in the next score from 8 yards out with 8:55 remaining before the half, sophomore Kody Enck scored on an 18-yard run with 6:29 left, and Marek Mascho capped the scoring with 4:09 remaining on a 52-yard run.

Northwest's Shane Hempel scored on a 4-yard run with 2:57 remaining in the 3rd quarter to prevent the Rangers being shut out.

Morral finished 5-for-8 for 141 yards and 2 scores while Marek Mascho rushed for 66 yards on 3 carries and 2 scores. He also caught 2 passes for 71 yards and brother Max also hauled in 2 passes for 73 yards.

"Griff has a pretty bright future," Hildebrand said of his young QB. "Last week we ran the ball a lot. This week we wanted to come out throwing. Next week we're going to have to do both. He did a great job hitting guys that were open and our receivers made the plays."

Defensively, seniors Noah Zengerle and Copp led the Hornets with 4 tackles apiece. Sophomores Gavin Carson and Jorden Hines, along with 4 other Hornets made 3 tackles each. Zengerle also had a sack and freshman Eli Nowak forced a fumble.

In addition to Morral surpassing 1,000 yards through the air, Marek Mascho also went over 1,000 all-purpose yards (1,139) on the season. Marek also now sits 2nd all-time for punt return yards in a single game (117).

Senior Finn Matthews converted 7-of-8 extra points on the evening, tying him for 3rd all-time in both makes and attempts in a single game.

Max Mascho also joins his father, Shane (1998 vs. Athens), as returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

The Hornets (5-4, 5-3 NTL Large School Division) now turn their attention to their annual rivalry game against North Penn-Mansfield for the Morton F. Jones Trophy. The Panthers have won the last three games.

"All year our theme has been 'be different.'," Hildebrand said. "We're looking to change our record going up against them, We want to change whats happened the past three years and that includes bringing 'Morty' back home."