SMETHPORT — The Coudersport Falcons came up big in the second half to move into a share of the AML North Division lead with a 30-12 win on Friday over the Smethport Hubbers.
Twos were the magic number in the game as the Falcons and Hubber each scored on their first two possessions of the game. A win by the Hubbers would put them in the running for the AML North and a win by the Falcons would give the Falcons a tie if Otto-Eldred won.
The Hubbers began with a 13-play 61-yard drive that took 7:52 of the game clock behind a heavy dose of tailback Nathan Hollowell. The drive was capped by a Grant Ognen to Alex Sanderson three-yard touchdown pass with exactly 4:00 left on the clock in the first quarter. Ognen failed to connect on the two point conversion for the 6-0 score.
It didn’t take Coudersport long to hit paydirt when on third and 10, Jared Green broke free and streaked down the left sideline for a 65-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Coudersport was flagged for a motion penalty that caused the two point run attempt come up short to tie the score 6-6 with 2:25 left in the first quarter.
Smethport started at their own 30-yard line where Blake Kinner broke a 26-yard run as the first quarter ended. Smethport took the clock to the 6:57 mark when Hollowell scampered for a nine-yard touchdown run. Ognen missed Hollowell in the end zone keeping the score at 12-6.
Coudersport would drive to the Hubbers 28 when the Falcons were flagged for a hold that negated a big play sending the Falcons back to the Hubbers 40. Smethport caused a fumble that was recovered by the Falcons to keep the drive alive. On fourth and 33 Green found Keglovits on the right sideline for a touchdown. Once again the Falcons were penalized for an illegal shift, but the second try had Green connect with David Burd for the two-point conversion and a 14-12 lead with 3:09 to go in the first half.
Smethport ended a Falcons drive when Breadon Johnson intercepted Green to end the first half.
The second half began in a driving rain that saw Coudersport start at midfield, but the Hubbers defense held on downs taking over at their own 37. Smethport recovered its own fumble on first down picking up a first down on a Hollowell three-yard run.
Smethport looked like they were going to score with a third down at the Falcons 14 but a Hubbers fumble killed the drive with 4:43 left in the third quarter.
“I felt that turnover was the turning point in the game,” lamented Hubbers head coach Adam Jack. “We score there, who knows what might have happened.”
Despite the turnover the Hubbers defense forced the Falcons to punt. Smethport started at its own 42 when Eli Ayers sacked Ognen for a seven-yard loss. Ognen was hit as he threw on third down only to have Christie Logan intercept the pass at the Hubbers 36.
Starting on their own 45, the Falcons were on the move when Keglovits took a Green pitch for 20 yards. Hayden Keck then broke to his right and scampered 32 yards for a Falcon touchdown. Green took the snap up the middle for the two point conversion and a 22-12 lead with 6:59 left to play.
Once again Eli Ayers sacked Ognen for a 10-yard loss. Ognen then hit a receiver across the middle only to have Keglovits take the ball away and return it to the Hubbers 13. Green finished the scoring with a nine-yard run for the 28-12 score. Keck swept to the right for the two-point conversion for the 30-12 score.
Travis Gleason recorded two sacks of Ognen to seal the win for the Falcons.
“Our defense stepped up tonight,” said Falcons first-year head coach Tom Storey. “We had some problems stopping the run in the first half. They can run the ball with the best of them. Credit their offense for opening the holes they needed. We challenged the kids at the half and they responded. Eli (Ayers) and Travis (Gleason) had some big sacks for us. The two point conversion at the end of the first half was big because we knew we would get the ball to start the second half.
“Credit the Hubbers defense they did a good job in the third quarter. Luckily we were able to capitalize on turnovers,” added Storey.
A dejected Jack credited the Falcons for their defensive play.
“We committed too many turnovers and we will have to work on that,” he said. “They are a well-coached team and we will have to get ready for next week and see what happens.”
The Falcons improve to 4-3 in league play and will travel to Duke Center next Friday for a big AML North battle and finish the regular season at home with Port Allegany. The Hubbers fall to 2-5 and will travel to Sheffield next Saturday and finish at home with Otto-Eldred.
BY QUARTERS
Coudersport 6 8 0 16—30
Smethport 6 6 0 0—12
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Coudersport 4, Smethport 10; Rushes/Yards Rushing: Coudersport 31-209, Smethport 37-143; Yards Passing: Coudersport 44, Smethport 53; Comp-Att-Int: Coudersport 3-6-1, Smethport 8-12-1; Punts: Coudersport 1-37.0 avg., Smethport 2-36.5 avg; Penalties: Coudersport 6-42, Smethport 3-15; Fumbles-Lost: Coudersport 1-0, Smethport 3-2; Total Yards: Coudersport 253, Smethport 196; Offensive Plays: Coudersport 37, Smethport 49
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Smethport-Grant Ognen pass to Alex Sanderson 3-yards, Pass failed, 6-0 4:00
Coudersport-Jared Green 65-yard run, run failed 6-6 2:25
Second Quarter
Smethport-Nathan Hollowell 9 yard run, pass failed 12-6 6:57
Coudersport-Jared Green to Drek Keglovits 33 yard pass, Jared Green pass to David Burd 14-12 3:17
Fourth Quarter
Coudersport-Hayden Keck 32 yard run, Jared Green run, 22-12 6:59
Coudersport-Jared Green 9-yard run, Hayden Keck run, 30-12 3:43
