Hornets lose big in grid opener to Loyalsock, 30-6.

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The Loyalsock Lancers used superior size depth and balance Friday night to march to a convincing 30-6 victory over the Wellsboro Green Hornets at the Wellsboro High School field.

The contest marked the season opener for both squads and also the debut of Wellsboro Head Coach Tom Ellsworth.

The Lancers scored three touchdowns on running plays while accumulating an impressive 227 total rushing yards, complimented by another 110 yards via the passing game. Wellsboro, meanwhile, was plagued by turnovers. They fumbled six times losing four of them and also had a pass intercepted.

The Hornets only score came late in the second period set up by the nifty running of quarterback Doug Keck and senior halfback Ty Antoine. The Hornet combination moved the ball to Loyalsock's 12-yard line where fullback John Driebelbies rumbled through for the touchdown run with only seconds left in the first half.

Loyalsock however sandwiched two scores around both sides of the Hornet tally. Wellsboro coughed up the ball on their 26-yard line early in the first quarter and the banters wasted no time converting the turnover into six points. Don Tripoli went the final four yards for the score followed by a successful two-point conversion rush by Fred Danieli.

In the second stanza, Lancer quarterback Tim Miller hit tight end Bob Gilliland with a 43 yard bomb to setup Loyalsock's second score. Bill Vanik ran the ball over from the four yard line for the touchdown with Bob Wright running for the two-point conversion making the score 16-0 Loyalsock.

Wellsboro added their lone score late in the period to cut the halftime deficit to 16-6.

Loyalsock padded their lead with two third period touchdowns. Miller again hit Gilliland to move the Lancers deep into Wellsboro territory. Ed Pinkerton ran over from the two-yard line to make the score 22-6.

The final score came late in the third quarter when Miller threw a 21 yard scoring strike to wide receiver George Slatten. Bob Wright added his second two point conversion run of the night to put the Lancers up 30-6.

The final period was scoreless.

Wellsboro's next game is this Friday night, September 8 at home versus Troy.