Wellsboro suffers season opener loss.

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The new season jitters should have been put aside before the Hornets played host to Canton on Friday night, September 3, in their season home opener, but instead Wellsboro suffered a 70-19 blowout to the Warriors.

"Before Friday, I would have said none," commented Wellsboro head coach Brandon Falk, as he was asked about the nerves of the season home opener. "I felt we had two good scrimmage performances against bigger and stronger teams. Our performance against Canton was a real shock and disappointment. The kids know that they are better than what they showed."

Wellsboro allowed the Warriors a three yard run into the end zone to start the game 7-0 with 9:26 showing on the clock. Within four minutes later, the Warriors took a 28 yard run to increase their lead to 13-0.

The Hornets got on board 7-13 with five minutes left in the first period, after a 46 yard completed pass from sophomore Ben Shaw to senior Ethan Callahan, and the extra point garnered by Jimmy Smethers.

The remainder of the first quarter the Warriors ran three more entries into the end zone, taking advantage of a 35-7 lead over the Hornets.

The Warriors led the second quarter after a 28 yard interception return, en route to a 56-7 advantage over Wellsboro.

The Hornets ended the first half scoring on a 19 yard pass connecting from Shaw to senior Dylan Christman, now trailing 13-56.

Shaw completed a 50 yard pass to junior Thomas Johnston early in the third quarter decreasing the deficit 19-56, concluding their entry past the goal posts for the night, yet not before incoming freshman Nate Logan ran down the line to garner his second tackle of the night taking down Canton's offense just outside the end zone.

"Logan is a tough kid who is not afraid to hit someone. Everyone on a our team should take a lesson on toughness from Nate," commented Falk.

Canton garnered two more runs into the end zone to clinch a 70-19 victory and post 1-0 to begin the 2010 season.

"Canton played with a real purpose and a higher motor output than did the Hornets. Turnovers and poor special team play put us in a real hole with field position and scoring," continued Falk.

The Hornets recorded 11 first downs to Canton's 18, along with three penalties for 11 yards and five for 50, respectively.

Leading rushing for the Hornets was Johnston (9-32), while Shaw completed 11-of-24 attempts for 192 yards passing. Johnston and Callahan garnered 61 and 58 yards receiving, each posting a touchdown along with Christman.

"Ben (Shaw) is still a sophomore and the decision making process will improve with experience and age," Falk stated after discussing his stats facing Canton with two interceptions.

On defense seniors Nick Saniga, Brenton Acorn, and Ethan Callahan combined with sophomore Conner Coolidge for 16 tackles, while Johnston posted six total. Coolidge also added in a sack.

The Hornets travel to Montgomery Friday night, September 10, for their first regular season road trip. Game time set for 7:00 p.m.

"We will be working on defensive toughness, tackling, and overall aggressiveness before we play Montgomery. Pass protection and offensive line play will also be a big concern, along with minimizing mistakes," concluded Falk. "So far the team is bonding. We are still very excited about what we will accomplish this year."