Fumble return dooms Hornets.

presented by:

A 77 yard fumble return by Towanda's Bobby Sheets turned a close game into a 28-0 Black Knight football win over host Wellsboro last night. The game was the 1983 opener for both teams.

With Wellsboro trailing 7-0 and driving late in the third period, Sheets penetrated the Hornet backfield, scooped up a botched handoff on his own 23-yard line and rambled 77 yards to a score. The extra point kick by Ron Miller made it 14-0 Towanda and from that point on the Black Knights totally dominated the contest.

The only score of the first half came on a 59 yard run by Towanda tailback Bobby Griffin early in the second quarter. Miller's extra point was good and the Black Knights took a slim 7-0 lead into the lockerroom.

After Sheets return in the third period, though, everything went Towanda's way. The visitors notched two clinching touchdowns in the final stanza to put the game out of reach. Quarterback Craig Dawsey's five yard run capped a 48 yard scoring drive to put Towanda comfortably in from 21-0. The Knights final score came on a 12 yard touchdown aerial from Dawsey to tight end Duane Hettich.

Hettich also had a fine night on the defensive side of the line with six unassisted tackles, 11 assists, and three tackles for losses.

T.J. Layton was Wellsboro's big offensive weapon, netting 92 yards on 26 carries from his tailback slot. Gary Cooper and Tom Reese led Wellsboro in tackles.

Hornet head coach Jeff Strohl offered his assessment of his team's performance. "I feel that the interior defensive line did an excellent job shutting down the Towanda trap option, which hurt us badly last year. The defensive line all played their assignments well and contained QB Dawsey," Strohl continued.

"Our offense still needs work. We were only running with a base of six plays to the strong side and only one play back to the weak side. We hope to get our offense moving this week and also sharpen our passing game."

Overall Wellsboro's lack of experience hurt especially on the offense. The defense played well enough to keep the Hornets close until Sheets' touchdown run with the fumble.

In a new twist this year, the Wellsboro Cheerleader's are naming a Hornet Player of the Week following each game. This week's winner was Mark Henneman. Henneman and four other players were nominated by Coach Strohl with the chearleader's making the final decision.

Henneman was chosen for his outstanding play at defensive end. He recovered a fumble and his blocking helped spring tailback Layton.

The Hornet JV's won Tuesday night by outscoring their Towanda counterparts 20-6 at Towanda.

The next varsity contest is scheduled for this Friday night at Sayre. The next JV tilt is at home this Saturday also versus Sayre.