Towanda stops Hornets in season's first loss.

presented by:

The defending league champs, Towanda Black Knights, stopped Wellsboro winning streak at three by handing them the first loss 28-15.

Led by All-Twin Tiers Quarterback Steve Casey, who scored two touchdowns, the Black Knights extended their record to 3-1, having lost their opening game to a very powerful Shamokin team.

The first quarter was all Towanda. After receiving the opening kickoff the home standing Knights using a wide open attack pushed the ball to the Hornet 12-yard line. With 2nd-and-6 from that point fullback Lindsey Chamberlain dove into the right side of the Wellsboro line only to be stopped, but before hitting the ground he pitched back to tailback Fuller who scampered around left end for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was wide and Towanda led 6-0.

Following the kickoff Wellsboro was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt.

The Hornet defense dug in forcing Towanda to punt. Towanda got the first big break of the game when the Hornets fumbled the punt, the Knights recovered on the Wellsboro 30-yard line and in six plays got into the end zone again when Bryon Fuller burst in from the nine-yard line.

Steve Casey ran the ball in for the two-point conversion and with 20 seconds left in the first quarter. The score was Towanda 14-0.

In the second quarter after an exchange of punts Wellsboro began their drive for the first touchdown. Beginning on their own 47-yard line it took the Hornets only 55 seconds to reach paydirt.

With a crucial fourth down and five on the Black Knight 31-yard line, Quarterback Jeff Coolidge reached into the Hornets bag of tricks and pulled out the halfback pass. After faking the dive to fullback Steve Radocaj, Coolidge pitched the ball to tailback Jay Buker, who pulled up and threw a perfect pass to split end Tim Smith who sprinted into the end zone untouched.

Randy Gross added the extra point and the Hornets trailed 14-7 halfway through the second period.

Just when it looked like the Hornets were back in the game, Towanda exploded on the ensuing kickoff as Steve Casey burst up the middle and then cut to his right to return the kick for 82 yards and the touchdown. Fuller added the two-point conversion and the Knights led 22-7.

Showing that they had come to play football the Hornets put the offense back in gear and drove 60 yards in 13 plays for the second score. On a 3rd-and-16 from Towanda's 20-yard line, quarterback Jeff Coolidge rolled left and found halfback Jerry Carson in the end zone for 6 points.

The Hornets lined up in the kick formation, but faked the kick. Holder Coolidge rolled right and found split end Tim Smith in the end zone for the two-point conversion and the score at half time was Towanda, 22-15.

The second half saw both teams moving the ball well but not being able to score until Towanda pushed over from the one-yard line with only 2:18 left in the game. This put the game out of the reach of the Hornets and the score ended Towanda, 28-15.

Turning in good performances for the Hornet defense were Junior linebacker Steve Radocaj who had nine tackles and 5 assists, senior linebacker Don Herres with 5 tackles and 2 assists, senior defensive end Rhett Gorda with 7 tackles and 2 assists and senior safety Jeff Coolidge with 13 tackles and 4 assists.

Offensive standouts for the Hornets were splitend Tim Smith who gathered in 6 passes for 94 yards a touchdown and a two-point conversion, junior halfback Jerry Carson with 5 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown, and Quarterback Jeff Coolidge who completed 11-of-16 passes for 120 yards.

Wellsboro's next opponent is the Canton Warriors. The game is Friday, October 1, at 8:00 p.m. on the Hornets field. The Hornets have scheduled this game as Parents Night to show their appreciation to the parents for the cooperation and support shown during the season.