Hornets bring Morton home.

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The Wellsboro Hornets went out onto the field Friday night, October 31 with a mission, focused and determined to bring back the Morton Jones Trophy, and they did just that with a 28-7 victory over the Panthers of North Penn.

Halloween couldn't have been "sweeter" for the Hornets with the win over North Penn, as the annual night of rivalry took placed with a sliver of the moon shining in the distance.

Wellsboro's Cameron Jones, a senior quarterback for the Hornets, set up the screen, a 38 yard pass to Pat Driebelbies in the second quarter, scoring and allowing Wellsboro the 7-0 lead.

"This was probably the most excited I have been for any of my sporting events, actually anything in my life," commented Jones. "This was rivalry night, North Penn. Everyone knows that anything can happen on rivalry night. I set up knowing that he (Driebelbies) would be open. The entire team ran the play and we scored."

Jones lofted another pass, 18 yards to Garrett Stager with under a minute left in the first half, taking the Hornets to a 14-0 lead.

"Before the game it was a shock that I was thinking only yesterday I was a freshman," stated Jones, "and now it's my last attempt against North Penn."

The Wellsboro Hornets have not taken the win over North Penn since this group of seniors were eighth graders. The excitement for the team was unreal, but the fact that they were determined to bring home the Morton Jones Trophy brought even more depth to their team.

"Wellsboro made some big plays in the first half," commented North Penn coach Tom Dickinson, "that allowed them to capitalize on and give the advantage to."

In the third quarter, Wellsboro's Jake Coolidge returned with a 30 yard interception to score for the Hornets and a two point conversion increased the deficit to 22-0.

"I knew we could really dominate," stated Coolidge. "We played the game with our hearts and ran the ball. It was time not to take anything for granted."

If nothing else, Coolidge stated that this night was what they had looked forward to all season. "If nothing else, ending the season with the win over North Penn and bringing the trophy back meant everything. It was our turn."

With nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Hornets' Ethan Callahan secured a five yard pass from Jones heading into the end zone before North Penn got on the board with a five yard run by Mark Fidler, and after the extra point, to finish the night with the Hornets on top, 28-7.

"We talked all week, preparing for this night," commented Wellsboro head coach Chris Morral, "that it was rivalry night and as always, anything can happen."

"Of course, we had high expectations, but we had to remain focused and ready to play," continued Morral. "North Penn obviously came ready to play."

"Our guys executed well, hitting that screen pass with some key blocks down the line. They gained confidence into the second half and went after the win."

Wellsboro aimed at no chances for interceptions throughout, recording no fumbles, and no turnovers to aid their victory over North Penn.

Senior Pat Driebelbies knew that North Penn would be tough, that they would be coming ready to play.

Driebelbies commented on how amazing the feeling was as he crossed over into the end zone after the pass from Jones in the second quarter. "I was flying high. It was amazing. Before the game we knew we were going to play to win. I had told the line to stay on their blocks. Jake (Coolidge), Steve Mengee, and I always have a virtue to play each game and run hard, to hold nothing back."

Driebelbies concluded with the fact of playing in their first District 4 playoff game since 1995, 13 years, this Saturday, November 8, in Athens. "We have to show up ready to play and remain focused. Athens is tough, but nothing we can't handle."

"Wellsboro is a tough team," commented Dickinson. "They wore us down in the second half, having a very physical line, but our guys hung in there throughout."

"Our team has given 100 percent all year and I have nothing but good things to say about them," continued Dickinson. "The guys played hard every game."

Wellsboro has garnered their first District 4 playoff berth in 13 years, since 1995, as they travel to Athens to face the Wildcats.

Suffering a 40-7 loss earlier in the regualr season to Athens, the Hornets are looking for the opportunity to play in a District type atmosphere, where every game means something. Athens is a very quick and physical team, with an outstanding defensive line and many weapons on the offense.

"The bottom line, we must play better and make our number one priority to contain their quarterback, one of the best players in the NTL, Shane Raupers," concluded Morral.