WYALUSING — It was a tough week one match-up for a young Wyalusing team still finding themselves as Athens pulled away for a 44-0 win during NTL football action Friday.

"Obviously it's not the outcome we wanted," said Wyalusing coach Jeff Hindman. "Athens is a really tough team, and I think our guys, much like with Trail, they got a bigger taste of what the real competition looks like."

Athens' defense was in the Wyalusing backfield most of the night, holding the Rams to minus-3 yards of total offense.

Defensively Wyalusing showed promise. They made some good open field tackles, and stopped a Wildcat extra point attempt.

They also got the better of Athens in penalties department - getting flagged four times for 35-yards to Athens' nine flags for 80.

"I'm proud of the guys," said Hindman. "They fought, they didn't give up. They gave it everything they had. Between our scrimmage in week one, we played probably two of the three toughest teams we're going to face all year. That's a tough start, but we're ready to get back at it on Monday."

Senior Jacob Gromley led Wyalusing in rushing with 10 carries for 13-yards as Patrick O'Connor had eight carries for minus-2 yards. Edward Anderson carried the ball four times, finishing with no yards.

Wiley Trobaugh was 1-for-4 for 3-yards through the air. Landry Tinna hauled in the pass.

Athens' Connor Davidson had a night, going 9-for-10 for 97 yards and four touchdowns through the air, rushing for 98 yards on five carries on the ground, and even had a 51-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Brendan Cooke added 91 rushing yards and a score on eight carries, with Gage Marmor leading them in catches, with five receptions for 62 yards and two scores.

Kade Rowe and Dominic Robbins also had touchdown catches.

Davidson had first quarter touchdown passes to Marmor (18-yards) and Rowe (8-yards) for a 13-0 lead.

In the second quarter Davidson hit Robbins for a 12-yard strike, then found Marmor again for a 21-scoring strike to make it 27-0.

Kicker Zach Fisher hit a 31-yard field late in the first half to make it 30-0 at the break.

Wyalusing didn't get their first first down of the night until the final play of the first half, and that came on an Athens penalty.

Cooke opened the third quarter scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run, then Davidson had his punt return for a touchdown to make it 44-0 midway through the third.

Wyalusing got some offensive production going in the second half, earning three first downs as they got down to the Athens 11-yard line, but turned it over on downs. 

They'll be looking to take those positives into next week when they host Muncy on Thursday night with a 6 p.m. start.

"It's a short week of practice with a game on Thursday, so we've got our work cut out for us," Hindman said. "We're looking forward to getting back at it."

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ATHENS 44, WYALUSING 0

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

A - Connor Davidson 18-yard pass to Gage Marmor (Zach Fisher kick), 7:12

A - Davidson 8-yard pass to Kade Rowe (kick failed), :50

Second Quarter

A - Davidson 12-yard pass to Dominic Robbins (Fisher kick), 10:09

A - Davidson 21-yard pass to Marmor (Fisher kick), 6:28

A - Fisher 31-yard field goal

Third Quarter

A - Brendan Cooke 6-yard run (Fisher kick), 11:30

A - Davidson 51-yard punt return (Fisher kick), 8:12

Individual Stats

Wyalusing

Passing

Wiley Trobaugh 1-4-3-0-0

Rushing

Wiley Trobaugh 5-(-18)

Patrick O'Connor 8-(-2)

Edward Anderson 4-0

Jacob Gromley 10-13

Receiving

Landry Tinna 1-3

Athens

Passing

Connor Davidson 9-10-97-4-0, Shea Davidson 2-9-23-0-0

Rushing

Connor Davidson 5-98, Brendan Cooke 8-91-1, Devin Maxfield 6-26, Shea Davidson 1-4

Receiving

Gage Marmor 5-62-2, Kade Rowe 2-10-1, Nolan Raupers 1-10, Eli Wayman 1-8, Devin Maxfield 1-15, Dominic Robbins 1-12-1

Team Stats

Athens Wyalusing

Rushes/Yards 20/219 27/(-7)

Passing Yards 106 3

First Downs 12 4

Penalties/Yards 9/80 4/35

Fumbles/Lost 1/0 1/0

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING