Big fourth quarter carries Hornets, 20-7.

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Trailing 7-6 at halftime and looking lackluster at best, the Wellsboro Hornet football team turned up the intensity in the second half to down visiting Troy 20-7 Friday night.

The Northern Tier League win improved Wellsboro's record to 8-1 overall, 4-1 in the NTL.

Wellsboro got on the scoreboard first when quarterback Jay Young scrambled, found some daylight, and ran 45 yards for a first quarter touchdown. The two-point conversion run failed and the hosts led, 6-0.

The Trojans took the lead in the second period when running back. Thadd Furman blasted into the end zone from a yard to tie it at 6-6. Larry Geisler's extra point gave Troy the one point lead.

The score could have been worse going into the locker room, as Troy had already rung up nine first downs and over 200 yards in total offense.

Even though the third quarter was scoreless, the momentum was quickly shifting the Hornets' way.

The Wellsboro defense totally stuffed the Troy running game, and that, combined with some crucial penalties, kept the Trojans in numerous third-and-long situations.

A two yard Russ Manney scoring run early in the fourth stanza gave Wellsboro the lead for good. Manney also added the two-point conversion run to put the Hornets up, 14-7.

Later in the fourth quarter, Wellsboro linebacker Matt Sweet stepped in front of a Jason Vermilya pass deep in Trojan territory to record the interception.

Several plays later, Young cinched the victory, running in from seven yards out for his second touchdown of the night.

Young had a fine evening for the Hornets, completing nine of 18 passes for 115 yards. He was intercepted once. He also ran for 64 yards on just five carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Manney and Jared Mahon added the rest of the Wellsboro rushing yards. Manney finished with 76 yards and a touchdown on 21 totes, Mahon had 29 yards on seven attempts.

Matt Kennedy and Mahon combined to haul in seven of Young's completions. Mahon caught four for 54 yards, Kennedy had three receptions for 61 yards. Ed Murphy added a nine yard reception.

Furman led the Trojan rushing attack with 80 yards on 15 carries and the lone Troy score.

Vermilya completed five of nine throws for 92 yards. Four of them went to Darren Morgan for 62 yards.

Wellsboro wraps up their regular season schedule this Friday evening versus Sayre. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Sayre High School. Following that game, the Hornets will begin PIAA District 4 Class AA playoff action, most likely at Wellsboro.