Northern Tier Sports Report

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NTL FOOTBALL: TOWANDA TAKES TO THE AIR IN WIN OVER ATHENS (2023-09-30)

Northern Tier Sports Report
TOWANDA — After relying on the ground game for much of their offense this season Towanda took to the air, with Riley Vanderpool throwing three touchdowns passes to three different receivers in the Knights’ 27-6 win over Athens in NTL football action Friday.

“I thought we put together four quarters,” said Towanda coach Craig Dawsey. “I think this is the first game we actually played consistently throughout the game. We did have some breakdowns here and there, but I was really happy with our defense. They came up big on some stops.”

That defense held the Wildcats scoreless until the final play of the game, with Athens garnering just 150 total yards.

Riley Vanderpool finished with 266 yards passing to go with the three scores, on 10-for-17, with no picks.

“He’s never played quarterback before, and this summer we were in a situation where we had to teach him how to play quarterback. He’s just such a competitor. He was hitting the spots there, and there were some dropped balls, too. He just had a great game. He’s just getting comfortable doing what he’s doing. He’s getting better all the time, so I was just really happy with his progression of where he started in June.”

Tahshon Garner had four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Rylee Sluyter had two catches for 90 yards and a score. Jace Gunther had a 28-yard touchdown reception, too.

On the ground Vanderpool was 14-for-42 while Mason Higley went 9-for-39 with a score. Garner also had 13 yards rushing on four attempts.

Connor Davidson ran for 27 yards on 24 carries to lead Athens, while Keegan Congdon had 22 yards rushing on three touches.

Davidson was 9-for-21 for 84 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Sean Peters was his top receiver, hauling in four catches for 85 yards and a score.

After a scoreless first quarter Higley punched one in from a yard out in the second. Jack Wheaton added the point after for a 7-0 lead.

Vanderpool then hit Sluyter for a 59-yard scoring play. Wheaton added the extra point to make it 14-0.

In the third Vanderpool found Garner for an 80-yard pass play, with Wheaton’s kick making it 21-0.

In the fourth Gunther hauled in his 28-yard touchdown pass from Vanderpool for a 27-0 lead.

Athens scored when Eli Chapman hit Peters for a 23-yard strike for the 27-6 final.

Things get tougher for Towanda next week as they host undefeated Troy.

“We’re a young team, we’re mostly juniors,” said Dawsey. “We had a couple seniors and sophomores playing, some freshmen got in tonight, too. But just staying focused for four quarters, and once you put the pedal down, and just have to keep it down.”

Towanda 27, Athens 6

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter

T - Mason Higley 1-yard run (Jack Wheaton kick)

T - Rylee Sluyter 59-yard pass from Riley Vanderpool (Wheaton kick)

Third Quarter

T - Tahshon Garner 80-yard pass from Riley Vanderpool (Wheaton kick)

Fourth Quarter

T - Jace Gunther 28-yard pass from Riley Vanderpool

A - Sean Peters 23-yard pass from Connor Davidson

Individual Stats

Athens