Trojans Scored 49 Unanswered Points To Defeat Wellsboro In D4 Playoffs

By: Ed Weaver  /  November 1, 2025  /  Photo: Lance Larcom

Despite a fast start by Wellsboro, the Troy Trojans rattled off 49 straight points to defeat the Hornets 49-8 in the opening round of the District IV Class 2A playoffs Friday night at Mansfield University.

The Hornet defense got an early stop on Troy's offense and quickly turned it into points as sophomore Griffin Morral broke free on a 73-yard run down the Trojan sidelines for the game's first score just one minute and 1 seconds into the game. Senior Marek Mascho then hit brother Max Mascho on the two-point conversion to give Wellsboro an 8-0 lead.

"I'm proud of the kids and the way they battled against the defending state champions," head coach Matt Hildebrand said."They weren't scared tonight, we were able to come out and put the ball in the end zone right away but we hurt ourselves. We knew we had to play mistake-free football to be able to have a chance. The kids did a great job to even get to this point. From where we were the last four years to get back into the district playoffs, they fought. It was a different game from when we played them the first time."

Wellsboro held that lead until just under the midway point of the opening quarter as Troy's offense finally kicked into gear. With 5:32 remaining Troy's Mason Smith broke loose from the Hornet defense for a 36-yard run. Smith ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-all. Troy eventually took the lead with 52 seconds left in the quarter on a one yard from by Brendan Gilliland.

Gilliland broke free down the Wellsboro sideline on a 60-yard run with 9:05 remaining to make it 21-8 before Smith added a pair of touchdown runs, a 24-yarder with 3:22 left in the half, and a 56-yard run with 1:36 to go, to give the Trojans a 35-8 lead at halftime.

Smith put the game in the mercy rule with 9:35 left to play in the third on a 23-yard run, pushing the lead to 43-8.

Troy's final score came on a fumble recovery by Reed Palmer, one of four Wellsboro turnovers (1 fumble, 3 interceptions), with 7:33 left in the third.

Troy produced 390 yards of offense, led by Smith with 155 yards on 10 carries. Gilliland finished with 92 yards on 10 attempts and Kael Millard added 51 yards on 8 carries. Smith also completed 4-of-8 passes for 55 yards.

Morral finished 13-for-29 for 127 yards through the air and rushed 10 times for 105 yards. Senior Cole Knapp added 19 yards on 4 carries and senior Dylan Copp had 3 carries for 15 yards. Marek Mascho caught 6 passes for 52 yards, Max Mascho hauled in 4 passes for 43 yards, sophomore Kody Enck caught one pass for 19 yards, and junior Gideon Lawton caught two passes for 13 yards.

Hildebrand also had one final message to his senior class before they left the field at Karl Van Norman Stadium.

"They've changed the culture and brought Wellsboro football back. I think they've set a great example and have done things the right way. They committed themselves during our off-season program and changed the ways of the program and have led by example for the younger kids. I'm really proud of them and they'll have bright futures in whatever they choose to do."

Wellsboro finishes their season 6-5 (6-3 NTL Large School Division).