Jersey Shore wins defensive battle over Wellsboro.

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The Wellsboro Green Hornets suffered their second heart breaker of the season Friday, September 13.

This time the Jersey Shore Bulldogs snatched the win away for the Wellsboro squad with the help of a Dustin Moore pick-off of a Will Osgood pass with 17 seconds remaining in the first half.

Wellsboro had held a 6-0 lead after Matt Priset capped a Green Hornet drive with a one yard plunge into the end zone with 9:40 remaining in the second quarter.

Wellsboro's dogged defense had held the Bulldog offense scoreless the entire first half. But with 17 seconds remaining in the first half, Wellsboro made a big miscalculation when Will Osgood fired off a long pass. It was snagged by Moore and returned 74 yards for a touchdown. The Rams added the extra point to earn a 7-6 halftime lead.

"We were driving well but I made a coaching mistake when I decided to take a shot at the end zone," Wellsboro coach Russ Manney said. "I should have been satisfied with a 6-0 lead."

"The interception got them sky high and really upped them," he added.

Offensively the Green Hornets out-gained Jersey Shore by 100 yards.

Wellsboro's running game was led by senior back Matt Priset who rushed for 111 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.

Jersey Shore was led by Matt Palmatier with 73 yards on seven carries.

On the Bulldogs first possession of the second half, they pushed their way to the 33-yard line where Jake Holdemon nailed a field goal and gave Shore a 10-6 lead.

"They just held on to a leg and wouldn't let go," Manney said of the remainder of the game. "They just played inspired defense. We got some drives going in the second half but we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot."

Osgood's passing game was hampered due to the absence of two starting receivers, Tyler DeLeonardis and Derrick Smith.

Also returning for the Hornets for this Friday's game against Muncy will be linebacker Willie Blackwell.

Manney said the return of the two starting receiver will be a help on offense, but their return will be most appreciated on defense.

"Next week we will have them back. Smith is a captain and we will obviously be depending on him when he returns," Manney said. "It's tough to come back and it affected us in the game against Wyalusing. We're gradually getting people back."

Wellsboro travels to meet the undefeated Muncy Indians this Friday night. Manney is hoping the return of the three players will help curtail Muncy's passing game.

"Muncy throws the ball well. Last year they beat us in a high scoring game because we couldn't stop their passing," Manney said. "They have a good running back as well so we will have to block up front. If we do that and handle them I think we will be all right."