Black Knights hold Hornets from hammering out Homecoming win.

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Several members of the Wellsboro football team arrived at the weight room early Monday morning. Their purpose: prepare.

"There were more kids in the weight room this morning than we've ever had," head coach Russ Manney said. "The enthusiasm is still there, we just have to continue to get stronger and quicker."

Two nights earlier, Friday September 30, the Green Hornets were defeated by a stronger team despite their defensive stand. Although inclement weather may have caused ball handing problem on both sides, Manney said it was the strength and quickness of Towanda that was the largest factor in the game.

"We're not where we want to be strength wise," Manney said. "We need to get stronger and quicker. Friday night Towanda was both quick and strong."

Towanda's capabilities helped them edge the Hornets 14-6 and pull out the Northern Tier League win. Wellsboro suffered an early setback when they fumbled on a punt attempt early in the first quarter. Taking advantage of the event, the Black Knights were able to set up their first score of the game. Towanda hit pay dirt with four minutes remaining in the first quarter when Billy Oliver pounded the ball into the end zone from six yards out to give the Black Knights their first score.

The Black Knights' defense keyed well on Derek Harsch and held the league's leading rusher to only 116 yards on 32 carries. Despite Towanda's defense, Wellsboro came back to pull within one point, 6-7, midway through the second quarter.

The Hornets pounded the ball inside Towanda's 10 yard-line behind the steady hard nosed running of Harsch, Matt Priset and Brad Smith. Smith carried the ball five times for 41 yards while Priset added 37 yards on nine carries.

Sophomore signal caller Will Osgood got the Hornets on the board when he kept the ball and squirted into the end zone from two yards out. Wellsboro's extra point attempt failed.

Towanda had the last say-so of the first half when they scored the game touchdown with 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter. A Matt Curry 46 yard run on an option set up the score. The option spread out the Wellsboro defense and Curry kept the ball. Curry followed by launching a 17 yard touchdown lob to Curt Dunn. The extra point split the uprights and gave Towanda a 14-6 lead. Curry was the most successful yard gainer for Towanda and accounted for 116 yards of the teams 195 yards rushing.

The Hornets had their opportunity to score but the Towanda defense held the them on three separate occasions in the second half and spoiled a Homecoming comeback. In the second half, Towanda moved the football successfully between the 20-yard line but the Wellsboro defense denied a successful scoring drive The Hornets held Towanda to only one first down the entire second half.

"In the beginning of the game the defensive players realized they didn't have to cover for anyone else and that kicked in the second half," Manney said. "We played well against the option. That requires a lot of discipline. Everyone had a man and did it 90 percent of time."

Although Wellsboro only had four penalties for 30 yards, their timing was the death of a second half offensive drive. A fumble stopped yet another Hornet scoring opportunity.

"Penalties hurt us offensively," Manney said. "We shot ourselves in the foot one time, and the other drive we fumbled the ball. We got the ball back but faced second-and-11. Those things hurt."

"The defense played well in spells but we needed discipline on offense," Manney said.

Wellsboro goes on the road Friday and travels to New York state to face Auburn. The game is a substitute for the hole left in the Hornet's schedule due to the Cowanesque Valley forfeit. Manney said the team has a squad of mostly seniors and juniors who have good size. They boast a quick tailback and run a Pro-I offense. Defensively Auburn and Wellsboro mirror each other. Both teams run a 50 shade. Kickoff is set for 6:30 on Friday, October 5.