Hornets win opener, 21-0.

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The Wellsboro Hornets got their 1996 football season off to a successful start, downing North Penn 21-0 in a non-league encounter at Wellsboro Friday night.

Wellsboro tailback Matt Kennedy rushed for a game high 155 yards on 16 carries and scored one of the Hornets' three touchdowns.

The duo of Andy DeLeonardis and Mitch Marzo complemented Kennedy well. DeLeonardis scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of 13 and eight yards while racking up 50 yards on eight tries. Marzo also carried the ball eight times and finished with 63 yards. The trio accounted for 268 of Wellsboro's 275 rushing yards.

The Hornets struck early, exploding for 14 first quarter points, DeLeonardis plowing over from 13 yards out to cap a sustained drive, and Kennedy breaking free on his 55 yard jaunt just three plays into their second drive. DeLeonardis closed out the scoring in the second period, capping a nine play drive with his eight yard touchdown run.

Dave Laczi was a perfect three for three on extra point kicks. The Panthers managed 75 yards and 70 through the air on the evening.

Kevin Swope led the North Penn ground attack with 36 yards on 15 carries. He also caught three passes for 50 of the Panthers' 70 passing yards.

Ed Murphy caught three passes for 70 yards to lead the Hornet receiving corps.

Wellsboro quarterbacks John Lundgren and Kyle Norton split the calling duties. Lundgren completed three of five passes for 46 and Norton connected on four of seven for 75 yards.

This week, the Hornets travel to Towanda for a Friday night game with the Black Knights. The Northern Tier League game is set to get underway at 7:30 p.m.