Manney's touchdown sinks North Penn.

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Russ Manney's nine yard touchdown late in the third quarter propelled Wellsboro to an 8-0 non-conference football win over North Penn Saturday at Blossburg.

It was the season opener for both teams.

The first half was an exercise in futility for both offenses with the lone threat being mounted by North Penn late in the first quarter and early in the second. That drive ended with an unsuccessful fake punt run on fourth down.

After a scoreless first half, Wellsboro put together the only drive of the afternoon that culminated in points.

The Hornets took over at mid-field with just over four minutes left in the third period. Seven plays later, Manney broke through the right side of the line and scampered nine yards for the score. The extra point kick sailed wide right and Wellsboro led 6-0 with 1:50 left in the quarter.

The lone two points of the fourth quarter came on a North Penn snap that flew over Jayme Gross's head into the end zone. Gross recovered the ball to prevent a Hornet touchdown, but was nailed for a safety.

The Panthers' Chris Olsen ran the ball 19 times for 82 yards to take rushing honors on the day. Manney had 69 yards on 13 carries to lead the Wellsboro ground attack. Jared Mahon chipped in with 60 yards on 15 totes.

Ed Murphy hauled in the longest pass reception of the day, a 29 yarder from Wellsboro quarterback Jay Young. Manney hooked up with John Lundgren on a 22 yard completion.

This week, Wellsboro travels to Canton for a 1:30 p m. Northern Tier League contest on Saturday, September 9.

North Penn hits the road, taking on Montgomery on Friday night, September 8 at 7:30 p.m. in a Mid-Penn Conference encounter.