Montoursville downs 8-4 Wellsboro, 40-14.

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The Montoursville Warriors unleashed a powerful ground game and as a result came away with a 40-14 PIAA District 4 football playoff win over Wellsboro Friday night at Montoursville.

The win moved Montoursville, the number one seed, into the District.4 final versus number two seed Central Columbia, who defeated Wyalusing 21-14. Wellsboro's fine 8-4 season came to an end with the loss.

The Hornets scored first as Jason Kennedy capped a 98 yard drive with a 64 yard touchdown run on their first possession of the game. Oscar Umerez kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 Wellsboro.

Montoursville came back quickly to tie the game as Rick Hagemeyer scored on a two yard run to cap a 69 yard, 12 play drive. Jon Huff's point after tied the game at 7-7.

A pair of Warrior touchdowns in the second quarter put the hosts ahead 19-7 at the half. Both scores came on nine yard runs off tackle by Jamie Ott. Ott, who finished as the game's top rusher, gained 151 yards on 27 carries.

The Hornets cut into the Warrior lead in the third period as Kennedy scored his second touchdown of the evening, this one a 14 yard run. Kennedy led Wellsboro rushers, gaining 122 yards on 12 totes and scoring both Hornet touchdowns.

With Wellsboro trailing by five, 19-14, Montoursville ran off 21 unanswered points to put the game away.

Quarterback Mark Mussina countered Kennedy's score with a one yard touchdown run of his own and Aaron Barnes' extra point put the Warriors ahead 26-14 after three quarters.

Ott's four yard run and a 40 yard Mussina to Wayne Andrews pass play, both good for fourth period touchdowns, closed out the scoring. Barnes was good on both extra points.

In addition to Ott's 151 rushing yards, Mussina completed seven of eight passes for 118 yards. His only incompletion came on the Warriors' first possession.

Hornet quarterback Jeff Zuchowski completed eight of 16 passes for 134 yards. Jeff Patterson caught four for 64 yards and Steve Miranda added 46 yards on three catches.

The Warriors key to victory was their dominance on the ground. They rushed for a total of 311 yards on 55 carries. The Hornets were held to 293 yards of total offense.

Kennedy finished his outstanding senior season with 1,446 yards and 20 touchdowns.