Hornets chalk up another win over Canton, 12-8.

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The Wellsboro Green Hornets continued their winning ways Saturday afternoon at Canton, making it three in a row, with a 12-8 score.

Again it was the punishing ground attack and the hard hitting defense that provided the margin. Playing in the rain for the third week in a row the Hornets only went to the air five times, completing only one for 10 yards. The ground attack was impressive rolling up 238 yards.

Canton got the first break of the game on the opening kickoff. After having trouble handling the kickoff Dave Gibson was forced deep and when hit fumbled and the Warriors recovered on the Wellsboro 11-yard line. With their backs to the wall the Hornet defense dug in and completely shut off the Warrior offense.

Key plays were an upending tackle by corner back Dave Gibson and alert pass defense by linebacker Steve Radocaj.

Taking over on their own 10-yard line the Hornet offense moved immediately to a first down before a penalty forced them into a passing situation. On third and long quarterback Tim Cisco missed halfback Kevin Davis and the errant pass was picked off by a Canton defender and returned to the Hornet 20-yard line.

Again it was the defense that rose to the occasion. On second down defensive tackle Randy Weimar knifed through the Warrior offensive line to hit running back Marshal Hall in the backfield causing him to fumble and alert middle guard Terry Ingerick pounced on the loose pigskin, so the Hornets took over on their own 23-yard line with 7:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Staying entirely on the ground and mixing his plays well Cisco led the Hornets goalward. Utilizing the running of both Radocaj and Gibson and the fine blocking of the offensive line, especially the left side, tackle John Henneman, guard Sam Smith and center Terry Ingerick, the Hornets conquered valuable real estate.

The big play for the Hornets was a 32 yard carry by Tim Cisco that moved the ball to the Warrior seven-yard line. Three plays later fullback Steve Radocaj burst into the end zone from one yard out capping a 13 play, 77 yard drive that took 5:20. The kick by Gibson failed and the Hornets led 6-0 with 1:30 left in the first quarter.

Canton wasted no time in getting their offense moving, taking over on their own 40-yard line after the Wellsboro kickoff went out of bounds. Using thier own ground game the Warriors began penetrating the Wellsboro defense. With the aid of a pass interference call the Warriors covered 60 yards in 13 plays. The touchdown came on a quarterback sneak from about 6 inches out. The two-point conversion was good and with 9 minutes left in the first half, Canton led 8-6.

The remainder of the first half saw both teams mount drives into opposing territory without being able to push into the end zone.

The second half picked up where the first half ended with both teams driving but being unable to push deep into opposing territory. The first threatening drive of the half was mounted by Canton in the latter part of the third quarter with Brian Parsells out of the line-up because of an injury in the second quarter and Jon Carson being ejected from the game during Canton's drive, the Hornets were forced to play without either starting defensive end. With two minutes left in the third quarter.

Canton had the ball first and goal from the 10-yard line. Reserve defensive end Jon Kreisler made three first hits in a row to stop Canton backs for little or no gain. On third and goal with Kreisler holding the Canton ball carrier, linebacker Radocaj applied a solid hit forcing the ball to pop loose and into the end zone. Johnny-on-the-spot for Wellsboro was Tim Cisco who recovered the fumble giving the Hornets possession on their own 20-yard line.

The fumble recovery was the spark the Hornets needed. With time running out in the third quarter the Hornets began the drive which would turn out to be for the winning touchdown. Quarterback Cisco set the tempo on the first play of the drive with a keeper that he carried 31 yards to the Warrior 49-yard line.

It took the Hornets only 8 more plays to hit paydirt when tailback Dave Gibson scored his seventh touchdown of the year, this one from one yard out to give the Hornets the lead. The conversion attempt was short and with nine minutes left in the game Wellsboro led 12-8.

With the lead again in the hands of the Hornets the defense was determined not to allow a score Canton moved to a shotgun formation because of pressure on the quarterback from linemen Weimar, Ingerick, and Vince Driebelbies.

The secondary tightened up and the Hornets were able to again shut down the Warrior offense. Key plays for the Hornets in the remaining time were a 28 yard punt return by Bill Bower and the final blow, a pass interception by linebacker John Driebelbies. The game ended with Wellsboro's offense running out the clock.

For the second time in two years Wellsboro has stopped a Canton winning streak at four. This year was the first time in Wellsboro football history that they have beaten Canton on the Warriors' home field. The Hornets play this week at Cowanesque Valley on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.