NTL FOOTBALL: TOWANDA FALLS AT ATHENS (2022-10-01)
Northern Tier Sports ReportATHENS — For a half Towanda hung with Athens, but then the lights went out. After they came back on, the Wildcats brought their offense with them, pulling away to beat the Knights 34-0 during NTL football action Friday.
“I was really happy with the first half,” said Towanda coach Craig Dawsey. “We had our opportunities and things. The second half actually didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but that’s just the way it goes. Sometimes the ball bounces that way.”
The Knights were out gained 355-127 in the contest, and were just 2-for-14 converting third downs. Athens had their issues, too, especially when it came to the flags as they were penalized 17 times for 248 yards on the night, and turned the ball over three times, but also made things happen, such two special teams touchdowns on the night.
“We played extremely well in the first half,” Dawsey said. “They got momentum, and once you get that momentum in a game like this, the wall just kind of breaks up, and then the dam breaks.”
Towanda’s Riley Vanderpool had 23 carries for 80 yards, while Grady Flynn was 8-for-21 for 52 yards with a pick.
Justin Schoonover was hit top target, making three catches for 29 yards, while Quintin Woodburn had two receptions for 16 yards, and Elias Shrawder had two catches for six yards.
Luke Horton had three touchdowns on the day for Athens. He had three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning a punt for a score.
Mason Lister was 13-for-22 for 203 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, while on the ground Caleb Nichols had 112 yards rushing and a score on 13 carries.
The only first half score was a 26-yard pass from Lister to Horton in the first quarter. Lister added the point after for the 7-0 lead.
At the half Athens turned off the lights as part of their homecoming festivities, but it resulted in a long break as they didn’t immediately come back on.
The Wildcats must have regrouped during the extra long stoppage, as they had four touchdowns over the final two quarters.
Nichols had a 4-yard run for a touchdown to open up their scoring, with Lister adding the extra point.
Horton then made it 20-0 off his 61-yard punt return for a touchdown.
In the fourth Glenn Romberger blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown. Lister added the extra point for a 27-0 lead.
The final score was a 24-yard pass from Lister to Horton. Lister’s kick was good for the 34-0 final.
It wasn’t how Towanda (2-4) wanted to follow up a big win over Wellsboro last week, but Dawsey knows his young team will learn from this.
“Just getting experience, that’s the big thing,” he said. “Just getting in there to gain experience - that’s the tough piece is just gaining experience that they need in order to compete.”
They have another big road match-up as they travel to Alparon Park to face the undefeated Trojans.
It’ll be a another big test for Towanda, and their sophomore heavy class, but, looking at the big picture, Dawsey believes it will help them in the future.
“I’m excited about this team,” he said. “They just don’t quit. They don’t give up. We’ll just keep our head down, keep grinding, and doing the best we can.”
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PHOTO CAPTION: Towanda’s Riley Vanderpool runs the ball…PHOTOS BY DAVID ALLIGER
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Athens 34, Towanda 0
Towanda 0 0 0 0 - 0
Athens 7 0 13 14 - 34
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
A - Mason Lister 26-yard pass to Luke Horton (Mason Lister kick)
Third Quarter
A - Caleb Nichols 4-yard run (Lister kick)
A - Luke Horton 61-yard punt return (kick no good)
Fourth Quarter
A - Athens punt return for a touchdown (Lister kick)
A - Mason Lister 24-yard pass to Luke Horton (Lister kick)
Individual Stats
Towanda
Passing
Grady Flynn 8-21-52-0-1
Rushing
Riley Vanderpool 23-80, Grady Flynn 6-0, Quintin Woodburn 1-(-1), Andrew Barker 1-(-4)
Receiving
Justin Schoonover 3-29, Quintin Woodburn 2-16, Elias Shrawder 2-6, Riley Vanderpool 1-1
Athens
Passing
Mason Lister 13-22-203-2-2
Rushing
Caleb Nichols 13-112-1, Mason Lister 6-29, Kaden Parrish 1-9, Cooper Robinson 3-4, Keegan Congdon 1-2, Kolsen Keathley 1-(-1), Daltton Davis 1-(-3)
Receiving
Luke Horton 3-78-2, Josh Martin 3-58, Xavier Watson 3-47, Matt Machmer 3-17, Kolsen Keathley 1-3
Team Stats
Towanda Athens
Rushes/Yards 31/75 26/152
Passing Yards 52 203
First Downs 7 14
Penalties/Yards 9/77 17/248
Interceptions: Towanda - Quintin Woodburn, Audy Vanderpool; Athens - Matt Machmer