Hornets Shake Off Slow Start To Double Up CV On Hall Of Fame Night

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 4, 2026  /  Photo: Dr. Robert Bair

On a night that saw the Wellsboro Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 get formally inducted, the Wellsboro Varsity Football team picked up their first win of the season by doubling up Cowanesque Valley, 26-13.

The Hornets weathered a slow start, overcoming an early interception and punt on their first two drives, before finding the end zone in the second quarter. Following a blocked CV field goal by junior Jorden Hines, the Hornets struck for the first time as junior Griffin Morral connected on passing plays of 35 yards and 44 yards, respectively, to freshman Grady Morral and sophomore Christian Main. Main's completion setup Wellsboro with 1st and goal at the CV one, where Griffin Morral called his own number for the score with 8:28 left in the first half.

The six points were the only points scored in the first half as CV won the coin toss and took the ball to start the game. The Hornets started the second half with an 11-play, 72-yard drive totaling nearly five minutes. Highlighted by a 33-yard pass from Morral to Main on 3rd and 14, Wellsboro found themselves at the CV 19. A 9-yard run by Morral got the Hornets down to the 10. Wellsboro got down to the six, but was hit with an illegal formation penalty, pushing them back to the CV 11. From there, Morral connected with Main for the score, with 7:09 remaining in the third, to take a 14-0 lead.

"Props to them (CV), we had to work for that one," said Hornet head coach Matt Hildebrand. "We have a lot to clean up going into next week but I'm happy how we came out in the second half and moved the football. We said at the half that we need to play our brand of football and not let them dictate how the game's going to go. I was really happy with the offensive line, I don't think we've run dive that much in 15 years. We thought we could run up the interior. (Steven) Olson at defensive end and Hess were blitzing heavily, and we felt that if we could get inside of them, we could move the ball. Offensively Reed was a workhorse tonight and was able to pound the rock."

CV scored on their ensuing drive on a 5-yard run by Dave Hess following a 37-yard kick return by Colten Begley to midfield. The Hornets put together another long drive to close out the 3rd quarter and open the 4th to push the lead back to a two-score game. This time the Hornets turned to their ground game, as junior Reed Richardson and Morral carried the ball down to the 5 before Richardson plowed into the end zone for the score. The extra point missed, but Wellsboro held a 20-7 lead. The Indians struck again with just under seven minutes to go to on a 4-yard pass from Hess to Cam Stahli, but the Hornets answered right back as Grady Morral returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for the game's final score.

Grady Morral now joins older brother Griffin, and dad and former head coach, Chris Morral, in the Wellsboro Football record books.

"The boys blocked well and I saw a big hole and I hit it full speed. I was worried that I stepped out."

Griffin Morral completed 11-of-19 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries and a score. Richardson led Wellsboro's ground attack with 54 yards on 12 carries and a score. Main caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Senior Max Mascho also added 28 yards on 4 carries.

"This game was a grind but our line up front really came through in the second half and I couldn't be more proud of them," Griffin Morral said.

Hines also blocked an extra point in addition to the field goal and Colton Hauser blocked a punt.

Hess finished 8-of-13 passing for 124 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 17 times for 80 yards and a score. Stahli caught 3 pass for 50 yards and a score.

Next up for the Hornets (1-1, 1-0 NTL Large School Division) is a date with the Loyalsock Lancers.

"Loyalsock is a good team and well coached and have a lot of athletes. We've got to take the show on the road, that's kind of been a whirlwind to start the season with a short week last week, coming in here, then going right back out on the road. That's what we're going to do though this year, we have six road games, so we're going to buckle up, get on the bus, and go."