Hornets rip Cowanesque for first victory, 23-15

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Wellsboro used a 15-6 third period to come from behind and top Cowanesque Valley 23-15 Friday night at Wellsboro High School. It was the Hornets' first victory of the season.

The Hornets got off on the right foot early as Ty Antoine took the opening kickoff and returned it 89 yards to the Cowanesque one-yard line. John Driebelbies scored on the second play from scrimmage and also ran over for the two-point conversion. Wellsboro took an early lead over Cowanesque, 8-0.

A few minutes later Cowanesque retaliated when quarterback Rusty Outman clicked with Doug Schmidt on a 43 yard scoring strike. The pass for the two-point conversion failed and Wellsboro remained on top, 8-6.

Late in the second stanza, Hornet signal caller Doug Keck lost a fumble at mid-field. It was one of four Wellsboro turnovers of the evening. With just under a minute remaining in the half, Harold Watkins split the uprights with a 26 yard field goal. That ended the first half scoring giving Cowanesque the 9-8 lead over Wellsboro.

Wellsboro got a break early in the third quarter as Bruce Lindsey recovered a Cowanesque fumble on the 39-yard line. Solid Hornet running and blocking brought them to the Indian one-yard line in four plays. Quarterback Keck went the final three feet for the score and also ran over for the two-point conversion. Wellsboro went back on top, 16-9.

On their second possession of the third period, Keck hit Ty Antoine for a 35 yard gain to put the Hornets deep in Cowanesque territory. Keck again capped the drive by scoring on a one yard keeper. Antoine booted the extra point to give Wellsboro a 23-9 edge.

The Indians' lone second half score came late in the third stanza as Outman hit Brian Buchert on a 25 yard screen pass, on a fourth down play. That pass capped an 80 yard drive. The conversion pass failed and Wellsboro remained on top, 23-15.

The final period was scoreless with neither team able to establish any sustained drives.

The Hornets next game is Friday night in Elmira versus Notre Dame.