Black Knights slip by Hornets.

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Wellsboro did everything they needed to do to pick up their first Northern Tier League football game after three consecutive losses.

They didn't let a 4-0 Towanda team dominate although it didn't look like they would be up for the challenge before the game.

Prior to the start of the NTL match up, the Green Hornets squad didn't look like they were ready to take on Black Knights.

"I was concerned when wecame put in pregame warm up," Wellsboro head coach Mike Pietropola said. "We were flat and the guys looked very lethargic."

Towanda's first half play helped them take a 14-7 lead and eventually the win Friday night, September 29.

But Wellsboro had no reason to hang their heads according to Pietropola.

"I was proud of them," Pietropola said. "They left the field with their heads held high. They played hard but Towanda just got an upper edge on us," Pietropola added.

Although Towanda gained most of their 224 yard rushing as they took advantage of the Hornets lack of tenacity in the first half, the Hornets made a crucial goal line stand on defense to hold Towanda at bay. Towanda pushed the ball to the Hornet's five-yard line late in the first quarter but a defiant Wellsboro defense held them scoreless.

The Hornets were unable to move the ball passed their own 10-yard line and were forced to punt. Two plays later, Towanda's Ryan Maghamez took the handoff and broke for a 41 yard touchdown.

The Black Knights gained a 7-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter after Mitch Webster's point after kick split the uprights.

Wellsboro took the ball following the Towanda kickoff and forged their way form their own 37-yard line. Twelve plays later, Luke Straniere found Colin McBride open for a six yard touchdown completion with 9:32 remaining in the second quarter. Straniere ended the game going 10 of 23 for 101 yards. Jason Johnston followed with the extra point kick to tie the game.

The Hornets, minus leading rusher Dave Russell, were held to 42 yards rushing, but Pietropola was pleased with the efforts of the Hornet running backs.

"I think Kevin Schultz did a great job stepping in for Russell," Pietropola said. "Brad Smith and Matt Preset did a great job coming in for him on defense."

But Towanda proved why they are now 5-0 when they followed with a scoring drive to take the 14-7 lead midway through the frame.

Wellsboro achieved a double shot at a score after they were unable to make it past mid field and were forced to punt.

McBride sped down field and recovered the fumbled punt return on Towanda's 35-yard line. McBride was the leading Green Hornet defender. Besides the one fumble recovery, McBride added nine solo tackles.

Wellsboro was unable to capitalize on the opportunity for the touchdown and went for a 35 yard field goal attempt. Johnston's placement was wide and Towanda held on to the lead.

 "We're struggling right now in the red zone," Pietropola said. "It's a very tough thing to do and we need to get better at it."

The Hornets stepped up their defensive play and held the Black Knights scoreless in the second half. Most of the drives the Green Hornets held the Black Knights three-and-out.

"We struggled to stop their option in the first half," Pietropola said, "But we did some changes at halftime that really helped out and stopped their option."

Near the end of the game, Wellsboro tried to rally behind the passing attack for the score but Towanda stopped them with the blitz

"They knew we were going to throw the ball and they sent their linebackers and blitzed us," Pietropola said, "That's what got us."

Wellsboro travels to Cowanesque Valley Friday night.

Wellsboro will be looking to continue the successful defense they demonstrated in the second half and stop Cowanesque's Mike Chambers for a shot at the league win.