Athens Annihilates Wellsboro

By: Lee Ed Thomas II  /  October 23, 2002

The Wellsboro Green Hornets football team seemed to run out of steam against Athens when they hosted the Wildcats in a league game Friday, October 18.

The Hornets scored their only touchdown in the first quarter to build a 7-0 lead when Jeremy Walrath took the ball, broke through a gaping hole in the Athens defense and scampered five yards for the score with 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Wellsboro's defense did their job well in the first half by holding Athens to only 13 yards on the ground. The Green Hornets looked to have the game well in hand, that is until the last few minutes of the first half when Matt Priset and Will Osgood were both sidelined with injuries.

The loss of the starters had an adverse affect on Wellsboro in the second half as they watched Athens rally back into the game and eventually pull out a 29-7 lead.

In the absence of Osgood, Pat Coolidge stepped up to the varsity signal caller position. Although he threw three interceptions, Wellsboro coach Russ Manney was pleased with his effort.

Behind a strong defense, the Hornets held the Wildcats scoreless for the first half to the game.

"Half way into the second quarter Priset was hurt," said Manney. "If he could have stayed in the game he could have had 150 yards rushing."

Priset left the game with 47 yards on seven carries. Stepping up to Wellsboro in the back field was Brandon Keck, 14 carries for 42 yards, and Walrath, 13 carries for 48 yards and one touchdown.

The Hornets missed two scoring opportunities in the last two drives of the first half.

"Right before the end of the first half we fumbled. We were driving in twice for the score and dropped the ball," Manney said. "We should have been up 21-0 at halftime. We were confident on defense and held Athens to 13 yards rushing in first half. We dominated and thought things were going good. When Osgood and Priset got hurt, it seemed to upset the defense and they didn't step up."

In the third quarter Athens took the lead behind three scoring drives.

The first gave them a 8-7 lead following an Athens touchdown and two-point conversion with 8:26 remaining.

They followed with another score four minutes later when Cody White squirted into the end zone from seven yards out to take a 15-7 lead.

Kyle Brown of Athens scored the third consecutive third frame touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the frame to give Athens a 22-7 lead.

Athens' final score of the game came in the fourth quarter to build their lead to 29-7 for the league win.

"Our team has been on an emotional roller coaster all year." Manney commented. "Anything triggers our guys. It's been tough going."

Wellsboro will now set their sights on Sayre. Although they enter the game minus Osgood, Priset should return to the back field.

"Sayre is on game we have to come in full strength and expect to win," Manney said. That means people have to step up. We will look to the seniors for leadership and make sure our offense has to learn to step it up and take over."