Hornets control own destiny

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 28, 2006

After last week's homecoming victory against Cowanesque Valley, Wellsboro had the chance to do something that it hasn't done in a long time; make the playoffs. Wellsboro, therefore, is in control of its own destiny. If the Hornets can manage to pull out two more wins on the season, finishing 5-5, they will be headed to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Friday night's game started out slow, as both Wellsboro and Wyalusing faltered on their opening drives. Wyalusing was able to score near the end of the opening frame, but the Hornets didn't give up. After being forced to punt, Sophomore Jake Coolidge drove the ball deep into the Ram's territory. Wyalusing's returner dropped the ball, allowing Senior Chet Johnson to recover the fumble inside the Ram's 10-yard line. Wellsboro put up their first points of the night on a three yard run by Senior Jesse Tom. The extra point attempt by Pat Driebelbies was no good, bringing Wellsboro within one point of Wyalusing, 7-6.

The remaining part of the second quarter was a struggle for both teams, as neither team could muster any offense. Late in the half, Wellsboro was again forced to punt to the Rams. Again, the Wyalusing returner fumbled the ball. Senior Jake Monks was in the right place at the right time, as he picked up the fumble and took it to the house with no time remaining in the first half, putting the Hornets on top for the first time in the game. At the half, Wyalusing trailed the Hornets 12-7.

Wellsboro got the ball to start the second half, and picked back up where they started. Wellsboro scored on their opening drive of the first half on a run by Jake Monks, bringing the lead to 20-7. Wyalusing bouced back from its 13 point deficit with two touchdowns of their own, with the last one coming on a punt return midway through the fourth quarter.

At that point, Wellsboro was determined to not let the Rams get the best of them. The Hornet's defense stepped up when it had to. After a Wellsboro punt, Wyalusing was again driving down the field with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Safety Chet Johnson intercepted a Ram's pass and returned the ball to the 30-yard line. Wellsboro's offense took over, and drove the ball down field. On what was the final score for the Hornet's for the night, Senior Quarterback Tim Shaw ran in the ball from nine yards out, giving the Hornets the 26-20 lead.

A short kickoff from Junior Chris Copp gave Wyalusing good field position to try to come back for the win. Everything turned out alright, as Safety Tim Shaw intercepted a pass to seal the win for the Hornets. With the win, Wellsboro improved their record to 4-5 on the year. Wellsboro's last regular season game of the year kicks off at 7:00 pm next Friday night against bitter rival North Penn, with the winner claiming the Morton Jones Trophy.