Athens drops Wellsboro to 1-5; 0-4 in NTL.

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Athens running back Kevin Merrill rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries and scored once to lead the bulldogs to a 20-6 Northern Tier League football win over visiting Wellsboro on Saturday.

Merrill's touchdown came on a 12 yard second quarter run and gave Athens a 14-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Dan Hayford hit Kyle Perry with a 26 yard touchdown aerial in the opening stanza to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 edge.

Wellsboro cut the gap to eight, 14-6. On their first possession of the second half when running back Keith Cavanaugh rumbled 44 yards to paydirt.

Hayford's 12 yard scoring run in the fourth period, followed by a missed extra point, closed out the scoring.

Hornet quarterback Jon Cox completed seven of 14 passing attempts for 51 yards and one interception. Josh Ziemak caught two for 21 yards. Ken Nowak two for 16 yards and Cavanaugh two for seven yards, Eugene Sticklin caught one ball for a seven yard gain.

Cavanaugh finished as Wellsboro's top rusher, picking up 81 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Rick Robinson added 50 yards on nine attempts.

Wellsboro falls to 0-4 in Northern Tier League play. 1-5 overall. Athens is 1-2 in the NTL and 1-5 overall.

On Friday evening, October 12, the Hornets host Columbia Montour Vo-Tech in their annual homecoming contest. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Wellsboro High School field.