Hornets Grind Out 14-6 Road Win Over Wyalusing

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 7, 2025  /  Photo: Chris Manning

Wellsboro ended a two-game losing streak to Wyalusing, and three-game overall losing streak, after pulling out a 14-6 road win over the Rams Saturday.

Trailing 6-0 midway through the second quarter, after the Rams' Andrew Taylor hauled in a 47-yard pass from Reuben Kinney (the extra point failed), the Hornets knotted the game at 6-all with 4:15 remaining. Junior Levi Champaign recovered a Jonathan Earle fumble at the Rams' three-yard line. One play later sophomore QB Griffin Morral called his own number and found the end zone.

Wellsboro's defense forced another fumble, this one by Kinney, on the Rams' next drive, but were unable to convert for points as both teams went into their respective locker rooms all tied at six.

After a scoreless third quarter the Hornets' defense held the Rams on 4th-and-4 from the Wellsboro 31 then put together their game-winning drive. Highlighted by a 36-yard pass from Morral to senior Dylan Copp down to the Wyalusing 21, Wellsboro's offense chipped away and eventually Morral found sophomore Kody Enck on a 15-yard pass in the middle of the Wyalusing secondary for the score with 10:20 left to play. Wellsboro decided to go for the two-point conversion to make it an 8-point game. On the try Wyalusing all but had the Hornets' stopped, as a bad snap caused havoc in the backfield. Morral picked up the loose ball, and with a Ram defender draped around him, got the pass away to senior Marek Mascho, who made a diving grab to put the Hornets up 14-6.

"Just getting that big play to win it feels great," said Morral. "Coming out here with family, my brothers, and finally being able to put a win on our record feels great and I can't complain. It takes some of the pressure off but Towanda comes to town Friday. It's a big game. We got off the bus today and played well both offensively and defensively."

Wyalusing put a drive together late in the quarter deep into Wellsboro territory. The seven-play drive got all the way down to the Wellsboro two, but the defense came away with their third fumble recovery, this one recovered by sophomore Jorden Hines.

The Hornets ran out the final two minutes and change to earn their first win of the season, and head coach Matt Hildebrand's 80th of his career.

"These guys have done everything I've asked all summer. We've had thirty kids four days a week. They've showed up and worked their tails off. It wasn't pretty, but learning to win and having this feeling I'm so happy for the guys," Hildebrand said. "We said there was only one way out of here and that was with a win. We talked about it at halftime. Everyone's doubted us so far this season but we don't care what anyone outside this team says. It's one brick at a time and hopefully we can build on this, but our schedule hasn't done us any favors, but to get a win on the road against a very physical football team, I'm really proud of the boys."

Morral finished the game 6-for-18 for 100 yards and a touchdown through the air, and rushed 13 times for 84 yards and a score. Enck caught three passes for 46 yards and a score, junior Max Mascho caught two balls for 18 yards, and Copp had one catch for 36 yards.

"He (Morral) wasn't happy with his performance the first two weeks, he has a higher expectation of himself, as do we. Before the game we had a conversation about 'being you, don't try to be anyone else', and he did that. Very proud of him and he stepped up when we needed it."

Defensively, sophomore Reed Richardson made 9 tackles, senior Hayden Stevens and Hines recorded 7 stops each, and junior Izaya Campbell made 5 tackles. Max Mascho also recovered a fumble and brother Marek intercepted a Kinney pass as the first half ended.

"Our guys have been relentless, flying to the ball and getting after it each week," Hildebrand said of his defense. "Their backs were against the wall many times and they stepped up. That second to last drive to get that fumble, I think Reed blitzed and caused that down there, that was big for us and to hold at the end of the game, we haven't been able to do that the last couple of years. These kids really want it and I'm just so happy for them."

Kinney complete 4-of-10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 13 times for 51 yards. Earle led the Rams with 75 yards on 20 carries and Ethan Vanderpool had 46 yards on 13 carries.

Wellsboro improves to 1-2 (1-1 NTL Large School Division) while Wyalusing falls to 1-2 (1-2 NTL Large School Division). Wellsboro hosts Towanda this coming Friday with the Wellsboro Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 set to be inducted at halftime.