Black Knights Score 22 Unanswered 2nd Half Points To Hand Wellsboro 4th Straight Loss

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 14, 2024  /  Photo: Chris Manning

Towanda's Riley Vanderpool ran for two scores and threw for three more as the Black Knights handed Wellsboro their fourth straight loss during the Black Knights' Homecoming on Friday, September 13.

After a scoreless first quarter Vanderpool got the Black Knights' offense into gear with a pair of touchdowns. 12 seconds into the quarter he connected with Reese Sluyter on a 15-yard pass to put Towanda up 7-0. Near the mid-point of the quarter, 7:36 remaining to be exact, Vanderpool broke the Hornets' defensive contain and scrambled his way to the end zone from 24 yards away, putting them up 14-0.

Wellsboro's offense found life late in the half. After holding the Black Knights on 4th down near midfield freshman Griffin Morral connected with junior Jonathan Carl down to the Towanda 12. Two plays later, Morral found junior Marek Mascho in front of a Black Knight defender right on the end line for Wellsboro's first touchdown since the opening week of the season. After a near-botched snap/hold, Mascho was able to find senior Ryder Bowen in the flat for a two-point conversion, cutting the Black Knights' lead to 14-8 heading into the half.

After the intermission the Hornets kept their momentum going that they built late in the first half. The Hornet defense forced Towanda to punt on their opening drive, and thanks to a personal foul on the Black Knights, Wellsboro started their first drive near midfield. After a short loss by Bowen, Morral connected with junior Cole Knapp for 20 yards down to the Towanda 34. Another loss by Bowen pushed the ball back to the 40, but Morral again found Carl near the Towanda sidelines, this time Carl took it the distance for a 40-yard touchdown. Wellsboro again went for two, this time with Morral running it in, to take a 16-14 lead with 5:19 left in the third quarter.

However, that's when the Black Knights opened the flood gates.

Towanda scored 22 unanswered points in the remaining 17:19 of play to rally for the Homecoming win. Vanderpool threw his second touchdown pass of the night with 2:56 remaining in the third as he found Gage Evans open in the Wellsboro secondary. They converted the two-point conversion to go ahead, 22-16. With 9:52 remaining Vanderpool rushed for a 3-yard score before tossing his final touchdown pass of the evening, this one to Rylee Sluyter, with 1:19 left to play.

Vanderpool threw for 248 yards and rushed for 108.

Morral finished 10-for-19 through the air for 156 yards and two scores. Carl led Wellsboro with 76 yards on two receptions while Mascho caught 4 passes for 45 yards and Knapp added 24 yards on three catches. Bowen had 26 yards on the ground.

Freshman Kody Enck recorded a game-high 12 tackles while Bowen added 11 and Knapp finished with 9. Carl also made an interception and junior Hayden Stevens recorded a sack and 5 tackles.

Wellsboro (0-4, 0-3 NTL Large School Division) plays host to Cowanesque Valley on Friday during Wellsboro's Homecoming.

Towanda (3-1, 3-0 NTL Large School Division) travels to Troy next Friday.