Hornets win first league game, 31-13.

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The Wellsboro Hornet football team improved to 2-0 on the season by downing Athens 31-13 Friday night at Wellsboro. The win was the Hornets' Northern Tier League opener. Athens fell to 0-2.

Wellsboro trailed 13-7 at the half, but rallied to to outscore the Bulldogs 24-0 over the final two periods to win handily.

The Hornet defense stiffened in the second half, allowing Athens only two first downs. Defensive tackle Bryan Kilmer had four sacks.

The Athens defense opened the game's scoring when Mike Newman picked up a fumble and ran 35 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play from scrimmage. Brian Whipple's kick made the score 7-0.

Weilsboro tied the game later in the first quarter on a five yard touchdown jaunt by quarterback Jeff Zuchowski and an Oscar Umerez point after boot.

Whipple accounted for all the scoring in the second stanza as he nailed field goals of 31 and 29 yards to put the Bulldogs on top 13-7 at the half.

The Hornets took control of the in the third quarter with a pair of rushing touchdowns. Zuchowski scored from two yards out and Jason Kennedy added a 24 touchdown. Umerez hit both extra points putting Wellsboro on top 21-13 entering the fourth period.

In the final quarter, Zuchowski scored his third touchdown on a 33 yard run and Umerez's 39 yard field goal closed out the scoring.

The Hornets rushed for 226 yards on 33 carries, a 6.8 yards per carry average. Kennedy ran for 102 yards on 14 totes, while Zuchowski added 80 yards on 11 carries. Zuchowski also completed seven of 17 passes for 77 yards.

Dave Lintal, Wellsboro's co-head coach said his team played "aggressively and as a unit all night." He noted that Kilmer, Kurt Benjamin and Seth Yost were keys to the defensive effort, while the offense got good play from Nate Davis at guard, Corey Lentkowski, and the entire offensive backfleld.

Wellsboro's next contest is scheduled for this Friday night, September 15 at home versus Towanda. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.