Wyalusing wallops Wellsboro.

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Wellsboro may have suffered a 40-21 league loss to Wyalusing Friday night, October 20, but losing isn't everything. It may have been Wellsboro's fifth straight loss but coach Russ Manney viewed the contest with reality.

The game was a learning lesson, guide, and measuring stick for the future of Wellsboro football. Since his return to the helm of Wellsboro football this season, Manney has stressed the importance of strength training.

Wyalusing demonstrated their superior strength by controlling the line of scrimmage. Manney hopes to lead Wellsboro to it's future aspirations of achieving the level of the Ram's program with strength training serving as one of the major building blocks.

"We definitely have to get stronger if we want to be a good football team," Manney said. "Wyalusing is a team we would like to emulate."

Despite the loss, Manney was pleased with the Hornets refusal to give up despite trailing 33-8 at halftime. Wellsboro returned in the second half with renewed vigor and held Wyalusing to only one touchdown. "Wyalusing never took out their first team so I was proud of the way our first team came back, scored in the second half and held them to only one touchdown," Manney said.

Unfortunately the Hornet offense had to grind out every yard and point of the second half by battling a relentless defense that was "Ram Tough."

"Wyalusing's line was strong. They dominated us up front. One of their defensive linemen really typified what a good defensive player is," Manney said. "He was in our backfield so much we considered giving him one of our numbers. He did a great job."

The Ram defense was successful in holding the Hornets offense to their lowest rushing game of the season, 167 yards. Wyalusing, on the other hand, ran their offense to perfection and amassed 366 yards on the ground. Josh Gryder led the way with 247 yards on 19 carries and five touchdowns. He set a new school rushing record with his impressive night. Gryder also showcased his speed with big touchdowns in the first half. The first, which came three minutes into the contest, was a 50 yard touchdown scamper into the end zone. His encore trip across the goal line came just under the two minute mark and at the end of a 68-yard run.

"He (Gryder) is a great running back who has great speed. He ran with authority," Manney said. "We had the opportunity to put people in the right position but we just didn't take him down."

Wellsboro may have struggled on the ground but their passing game was responsible for earning them their first score of the game. Wellsboro got on the board just over a minute into the second quarter when Will Osgood connected with Nate Compton for a 55 yard touchdown completion. Derek Harsch plunged into the end zone for the two-point conversion and narrowed Wyalusing's lead to 14-8. Once again, Harsch served as the work horse of the Wellsboro offense gobbling up 109 yards on 34 carries.

Two minutes after Wellsboro's first score, Wyalusing struck again after pushing their way to the Hornets' three-yard line. Gryder punched the ball into the end zone from three yards out. Wyalusing's two-point conversion pass fell incomplete but held a commanding 20-8 lead. Two minutes seemed to be Wyalusing's standard time to score as they returned to the end zone two minutes after their second score for the frame.

This time Wyalusing went to the air for the score. Dustin Kinney fired a 48 yard touchdown pass to Niles Putnam to build a 26-8 lead. Kinney completed three-of-five passes for 74 yards. Wyalusing increased their lead, 33-8 with 44 seconds remaining in the first half when Gryder capped another drive with a eight yard touchdown plunge. Josh Fisk added the extra point.

Wellsboro was more successful on defense in the second half but Wyalusing did manage to garner one final touchdown when Gryder capped his night with a nine-yard touchdown run with 6:28 remaining in the third quarter. Fisk added the extra point for the 40-8 lead. The Hornets rallied back with two touchdowns in the final frame to chip away at the Ram's lead.

Matt Priset bulled his way into the end zone from two yards out with 9:46 remaining in the game. Pat Coolidge added the extra point. Wellsboro found the end zone again near the two minute mark when Osgood fired his second touchdown pass of the game. Tom Jones pulled in the pass for 22 yard touchdown completion. The extra point attempt failed.

Although Wellsboro (3-5, 2-3 NTL) doesn't have a chance to vie for the league championship, they still have a chance to make their way into the playoffs. In order to achieve that goal, they have to win the last two games of the season. They return home Friday night, October 26, to host Troy and travel to Blossburg to battle North Penn for the Morton Jones Memorial Trophy Friday, November 2. Kickoff time for both games is set for 7:00 p.m.