North Penn Panthers take trophy back with convincing win.

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The North Penn Panthers brought the Morton Jones Memorial Trophy back to Blossburg in convincing fashion with a 42-0 shutout of the Wellsboro Green Hornets (3-7) Friday, November 4.

This is the third time in three claimed the trophy in the annual rivalry game that ended the regular season for both squads.

Unfortunately for the Panthers (8-2), they would later find out that they missed the playoffs. North Penn's playoff future rested on a win by Muncy over Hughesville on Friday, but Hughesville prevailed. The Hughesville win effectively sent Athens to the playoffs while North Penn will stay home.

Despite missing the playoffs, the Panthers did secure the program's best season ever.

"Last year's game (against Wellsboro) has eaten at me since then," North Penn coach Tom Dickinson commented after his squad's victory.

He credited the Panther offensive line for opening holes, allowing the running game to shine. He also gave credit to the defense, which pitched the shutout.

The Panthers also had players step up at key moments, especially after three Panthers were injured early in the game and another injured in a recent car crash.

"That's why they call it a team." Dickinson said.

Despite an early injury to North Penn's 1,000-yard rusher, Levi Weiskopff, the Panthers were able to run up 253 yards in the first half.

"Our defense was on the field too long and we gave up some big plays," Wellsboro head coach Chris Morral said.

He did note that aspects of the Wellsboro game have improved, particularly the special teams. Early on the Hornets came out strong, however, the offense could not get anything going on Friday.

The Hornets, who easily won the field position battle, caught an scamper and Morgan hit the exearly break. On the first play of the game, Weiskopff fumbled and the Hornets recovered at the North Penn 34-yard line.

Wellsboro drove close to the particularly special teams. Early on, the Hornets came out strong, however, the offense could not get anything going on Friday. The Hornets, who easily won end zone, mostly on the running of Jesse Tom and quarterback Tim Shaw. However, they were unable to convert a fourth-and-17, giving the ball to North Penn on their own 13-yard line.

The Panthers then marched the 87 yards for the score. On the drive, Weiskopff had a big 15 yard run on second-and-20 and Cody Groover converted on a third-and-four. Unfortunately, both were hurt on the drive and Weiskopff would not return.

But the Panthers had plenty more weapons. On the play after Weiskopff left the game, Riley Bowen ripped off a 17 yard run. Shane Cannon followed that up with a gain of seven. Bowen then ran 22 yards to the Wellsboro four-yard line.

On the next play, Bowen gave the Panthers their first score. Eli Morgan, who was perfect kicking all night, hit the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 2:19 left in the first quarter.

Wellsboro benefited from a personal foul call on the ensuing kickoff and started from the Panther 47-yard line.

After an incompletion by Shaw, Tom took the ball down to the North Penn 22-yard line. On the very next play, a incompletion forced by Panther pressure, North Penn's Mark Berguson, a defensive end and offensive lineman, went down with an injury. However, the defense held as Wellsboro's Jake Monks could only manage two yards on a fourth down and five deep in Panther territory.

Both squads traded three-and-outs and a Wellsboro punt pinned North Penn at their own 18-yard line. The Panthers put together a solid drive, mostly on runs by Cannon, Bowen, and Ryan Bogaczyk. Cannon capped the drive with a 39 yard touchdown run with 5:58 left in the first half and North Penn extended its lead to 14-0.

Wellsboro went three and out on their next opportunity, and North Penn only took four plays to respond. Bowen scored on a 37 yard run to push the score to 21-0 with 3:34 left in the half.

The ensuing kick off was muffed by North Penn. However, the kick was ruled an on-sides kick and North Penn recovered near midfield. The Panthers would drive to the Hornet 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. With half a minute left in the half, Wellsboro was only able to gain five yards on two plays.

Things did not get much better for the Hornets in the second half. Wellsboro started the half with possession of the ball, and drove down to the Panther 41-yard line. On first down, the Hornets did a direct snap to freshman Pat Driebelbies, but his pass was picked off by Brian Strange.

North Penn would score seven plays later on a one yard run by quarterback Andy Blasz. A key to the drive was a 20 yard run by Bowen.

Down 28-0, the Hornets again went three-and-out and punted to the North Penn 16-yard line. The Panthers could not get much going either and punted right back after their own three-and-out series.

The Panthers sealed the game after Chad Bogaczyk intercepted a Shaw pass and returned it 36 yards to the Wellsboro 20-yard line. Four plays later, Cannon scored from eight yards out and North Penn took a 35-0 lead with one second left in the third quarter.

On their next possession, the Hornets faced fourth and one on their own 44-yard line. North Penn's Nick Bowne dropped Devon Jones behind the line of scrimage and the Panthers took over.

After a four yard gain by Bowen, Blasz found his receiver, Tyler Rumsey, for a 17 yard strike that put the ball at the Hornet 25-yard line. Two plays later, Bogaczyk burned the Hornets for 18 more yards to put the ball at the three-yard line.

Two plays later, Blasz ran the ball in from a yard deep. Morgan hit the extra point to post the Panthers' final point and completed the 42-0 rout. After the final seconds ticked off the clock, North Penn fans celebrated by setting off fireworks.