Troy edges Hornets 17-14 in NTL action.

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The Troy Trojan football team improved to 4-0 this season by downing an inspired Wellsboro squad 17-14 at Troy Friday night.

It was Troy's first league game. Wellsboro fell to 1-2 in league play and 2-2 overall.

The Hornets struck first on a Perry Prough to Bob Bowers 20 yard touchdown pass midway through the second period. Troy rallied to cut the deficit to four, 7-3, on a 21 yard field goal just before the half.

Trojan tailback Terry Spalding put Troy on top 10-7 when he scored on a seven yard run midway through the third quarter. Spalding led all rushers on the night, collecting 119 yards on 27 carries.

A Tim Schoonover to Jamie Gates scoring pass of 21 yards proved to be the eventual victory margin for Troy. Brian Chappell's extra point put the Trojans ahead 17-7 in the final stanza.

Excellent special teams play set up the Hornets second touchdown. Bowers fielded Troy's kickoff after their second score and returned the ball all the way to the Trojan nine-yard line. Three plays later, Prough ran the ball into the end zone from 11 yards out. Marty Henneman booted his second consecutive extra point to make the final score 17-14.

Wellsboro head coach Jeff Strohl was especially pleased with the play of his defense.

"The play of the defense, especially the defensive line, kept us in the football game and gave us several oppurtunities to go ahead," Strohl stated.

"Defensive end Eric Olshevski played the best game of anyone on the defensive side of the ball. He was the key player in stopping the Troy option attack," Strohl added.

Tim Driebelbies led all Wellsboro rushers with 82 yards on 19 carries. Linebacker Dave Bryant topped the tacklers with 12 stops.

This Friday night September 28, the Hornets host the Cowanesque Valley Indians in a non-league battle.