Wellsboro downs Wyalusing; North Penn, Districts next.

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The Wellsboro Hornet football team turned in a fine defensive effort Friday night en route to a 14-0 Northern Tier League win over Wyalusing at Wyalusing.

The win improves the Hornets' record to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in NTL play. The Rams fall to 7-2 and 3-2 in the NTL.

Wellsboro played their most complete game of the season thus far, limiting a high-powered Wyalusing offense (379 yards per game) to only 134 yards.

The Hornets also utilized a very effective ball control offense to keep Wyalusing's defense on the field. Wellsboro ran the ball on 43 of 46 plays from scrimmage to illustrate the point. Wyalusing had only four offensive plays, and one of those was a punt throughout the first quarter.

The Hornet defense held Tom Bennett, the league's leading rusher averaging 153 yards a game, to only 38 yards on 13 carries.

On the other side of the ball, Wellsboro's Jason Kennedy enjoyed another outstanding evening, going 111 yards on 24 attempts. Co-head coach Dave Lintal stated that, "Kennedy ran the ball harder tonight (Friday) than he has all year."

Kennedy scored both Wellsboro touchdowns. The first one came on a five yard run in the second period. He later followed up with a three yard jaunt in the third stanza.

Oscar Umerez was two for two on extra point tries.

"The entire Hornet defense came through with a great effort," Lintal said. "Kurt Benjamin, Nate Davis, and Keith Cavanaugh especially played played well, but credit the whole defense for a fine performance."

Davis came up with a big play just before halftime, recovering a Ram fumble inside the Wellsboro one-yard line.

Benjamin had a big second half including an interception and a fumble recovery.

The Wellsboro win puts them in the PIAA District 4 football playoffs for the second time in the four year format.

The Hornets, leading the NTL defensively, allowing only 150 yards per game, will begin playoff action on either Friday, November 17 or Saturday, November 18. Their opponent will be either Montoursville, Central Columbia, or Milton, depending on the outcome of several games being played this weekend.

The Hornets final regular season game is scheduled for this Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Blossburg versus North Penn.