Green Hornets stun Loyalsock in opener.

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The Wellsboro High School Football Team opened its 1976 season in splendid fashion displaying an aggressive, hardhitting defense and a ball control offense. The Hornets defeated a tough experienced Loyalsock club 7-0.

Defense was the name of the game Friday night and the Hornets' defense was reminiscent of 1974 when they led the Twin Tiers in defense.

Wellsboro limited the Lancers to a total of 86 yards while forcing and recovering four fumbles and intercepting three passes. Loyalsock never got inside the Hornet 20-yard line.

It must be noted that Loyalsock is one of the teams given a chance to win the always tough West Branch League in the Williamsport area, entering the 1976 season with 29 lettermen from a team that was 7-3 last year.

Outstanding defensive performers for the Hornets were Brian Parsells, Terry Ingerick, and Vince Driebelbies on the line, linebacker Steve Radocaj and defensive backs Tim Cisco and Jeff Coolidge. Recovering fumbles were Ingerick, Coolidge, Rhett Gorda and Art Leisey. Intercepting Lancer passes were Coolidge, Cisco and Randy Gross.

Although only scoring 7 points the Hornet offense did an outstanding job moving the ball and controlling the clock.

After losing the ball on a fumble their first play from scrimmage the Hornets put the offense in gear and ground out a total of 251 yards, 193 on the ground and 58 in the air. One of the most important statistics is that Wellsboro controlled the football for 29 minutes of the 48 minute game, which means they had the ball 10 more minutes than the Lancers or almost one full quarter more.

Wellsboro's score came on their first possession of the second half.

After holding Loyalsock on downs on their own 20-yard line, the Hornets put together an 80 yard drive which took 20 plays and eight minutes. The Hornets had to pass only once during this drive with tailback Jay Buker ripping off large chunks of real estate. Rhett Gorda capped the drive by bursting over left tackle from the four-yard line with 1:47 left in the third period. Randy Gross added the extra point with a perfect kick, and the Hornets had the margin they needed for the victory.

Outstanding performers on offense were the entire line, especially Sam Smith, Steve Gobble, Tim Smith, and Dennis Jones.