Hornets upend Towanda, 27-26, in Homecoming tilt.

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The Wellsboro Hornets capped Homecoming festivities this weekend with a scrambling 27-26 win over visiting Towanda. The win puts Wellsboro's record at 2-3 overall and 1-3 in NTL play. Towanda is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the league.

The Hornets opened the scoring with an 81 yard, 10-play first quarter drive. A Todd Coolidge to Andy Worthington touchdown pass for 22 yards capped the drive. Ken Gfroerer kicked the extra point.

The Black Knights came right back as quarterback Pat Griffin's one yard sneak ended a 70 yard scoring drive. The two-point conversion failed and Wellsboro still led, 7-6.

Towanda took the lead early in the second quarter following safety Larry Kacyon's interception. The Black Knights turned the turnover into a score as Griffin found Eric Horn on a 12 yard scoring pass. Again the conversion failed, but Towanda led, 12-7.

Wellsboro took the lead for good on a nine play, 62 yard drive that was culminated by a 30 yard touchdown aerial from Coolidge to Gfroerer. Gfroerer was again successful on the kick, and the first half ended with the Hornets on top, 14-12.

The third quarter was scoreless, but was not without excitement and scoring opportunities. Towanda marched down to the Hornet three-yard line, but at that point fumbled, and Ken Leisey recovered. Wellsboro took possession on their own three-yard line and drove all the way to the Black Knight 11-yard line, but at that point they lost the ball on downs. Those two long drives took most of the period.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Towanda quarterback Pat Griffin fumbled. Coolidge scooped up the loose ball and ran 43 yards to a score. The extra point failed, but Wellsboro increased their edge to 20-13. Two minutes later, the Hornet defense scored again. Towanda's center snapped the ball over the head of their punter and into the end zone.

After a mad scramble, Wellsboro linebacker Carl Buss fell on the ball for the touchdown. Gfroerer's kick (which proved to be the difference) was good, and the Hornets had a seemingly comfortable 27-12 bulge.

But that was not the case. With 4:32 left, Griffin scored on a one yard run to cap an 80 yard scoring march. This time the two-point conversion was good, and the Hornet lead was cut to 27-20.

On the next set of downs, Wellsboro failed to move. They attempted a quick kick, but it netted only eight yards, and Towanda once again had the ball deep in Hornet territory. On the very first play from scrimmage, tailback Kacyon ran 13 yards for a touchdown. With the score 27-26, Towanda lined up for a two-point conversion. Griffin handed the ball to Kacyon, but he was stopped inches short.

With 49 seconds left, Towanda made a last gasp effort to score, but time ran out with the ball on Wellsboro's 11-yard line.

Todd Coolidge finished the day hitting on 11-of-18 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Gfroerer had his second consecutive 100 plus yard day rushing the football. He also scored one touchdown and kicked three extra points. Jack Maynard had three receptions and one interception. Andy Worthington had 2 receptions and 1 touchdown.

The Hornets' next game is this Friday night at Wyalusing. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.