Potent passing pushes Wellsboro to win.

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Two Wellsboro players got even closer to eclipsing the 1,000 yard plateau during the 44-12 trouncing of Sayre Friday, October 24.

Wellsboro's passing game was key in the huge win as senior signal caller Will Osgood completed 12-of-12 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns.

Also aiding the Hornets in the win was Brandon Keck who led all rushers with 88 yards on 17 carries. The two Wellsboro seniors will be looking for additional yardage in the annual Morton Jones Memorial game to be played at North Penn Friday, October 31.

Osgood is only 16 yards shy of breaking the 1,000 plateau. Currently Osgood has 984 yards passing and has completed 78-of-158 on the season.

Osgood opened the league game against Sayre showcasing his passing potential. With 1:44 remaining in the first  quarter Osgood connected with Keck for a five yard touchdown completion. Pat Coolidge added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

"I thought they would be better from what we had seen," Wellsboro coach Chris Morral said. "They have a couple of big guys on their defensive line and in their secondary."

"I thought our guys stepped up and payed a big game. The offensive line stepped up and controlled and our backs made the big plays we have been talking about all year," he added.

Sayre finally got on the board with 10:22 remaining in the second frame on a Duane Struppler 12 yard touchdown pass. Sayre failed on the two point conversion attempt.

Keck found his way back into the end zone midway through the second quarter after a one yard plunge. Coolidge missed the extra point attempt. Less that three minutes later Wellsboro scored again. Osgood had another successful pass. This time Chase Kriner pulled in a 14 yard Osgood lob and raced in for the score.

Keck punched the ball over the goal line on the two-point conversion and earned Wellsboro a 21-6 halflame lead. Wellsboro's rushing offense gobbled up 219 yard while holding Sayre to only 70 yards on 35 carries.

Wellsboro opened the second half showcasing their passing threat once again. Midway through the third frame, Osgood found Jeremy Walrath open and fired. Walrath pulled in the pass and raced in to the end zone for a 44 yard touchdown completion. Osgood followed with another pass on the two-point conversion by connecting with Shawn Tom. The conversion gave Wellsboro a 29-6 lead with 6:37 remaining in the frame.

"Will (Osgood) went 12-for-12. We primarily controlled the ball on the ground so all in all think if we would have liked to we could have thrown more," Morral admitted. "We took what was there and I thought, overall, we did a very good job."

Wellsboro scored again in the early minutes of the fourth quarter on a trick play.

John Johnston, a Wellsboro lineman, scored the Hornets fifth touchdown of the game when he rumbled into the end zone from five yards out. Osgood kept the ball and punched in the two-point conversion.

Wellsboro scored their final touchdown of the night when Colie Stone added a 20 yard run into the end zone. The following extra point attempt was good, giving Wellsboro a 44-6 lead.

Sayre added their final score of the night with 2:40 remaining.

"It was an overall team effort. I think that in the long run that's what counts," Morral said. "So, as a wise man once said 'A team that plays together wins together.'"

Wellsboro returns to league action this Friday, October 31 when they travel to Blossburg to take on North Penn in the annual battle for the Morton Jones Memorial trophy. Wellsboro will be looking get the trophy and local gridder bragging rights back this Friday. They key to doing that is one Morral has thought about.

"I feel as though the team that controls the line of scrimmage and the ball wins the game," Morral said. "Another important factor is the team with the least amount of turnovers. If you don't turn it over you win the game. That's the bottom line."