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On Friday, October 27 the North Penn-Mansfield Panthers hosted the Wellsboro Hornets for the Morton F. Jones Rivalry Game at Island Park in Blossburg.

It was senior night for the panthers, as students from the football team, marching band, and cheerleading squad were recognized for their accomplishments.

In the first quarter, neither offense could find a rhythm, ending with a standoff, 0-0.

Second quarter, Wellsboro on their own 45, Marek Mascho dropped back in the pocket, and sent a rocket over the middle to Will Gastrock for 20 yards. Next play, Mascho handed off to Ryder Bowen who was brought down just outside the red zone. A few plays later, Mascho to Bowen again, and he rumbled down for another 10. Lined up on the goal line, Bowen received yet another handoff and punched it in for the score. Johnathan Carl’s point-after-attempt was blocked, giving the Hornets the lead 6-0.

The Panthers answered with their own successful drive. Lined up on the 50, Dominick set up the screen pass, pump faked, and then laid it in the hands of Cale Wagner. After a late hit, the Panthers were positioned on Wellsboro’s 25. Next play, Dominick back to pass again, hit Luke Kreger, just short of a first down. A few plays later, Dominick scrambled in the pocket, and found Wagner for the touchdown. Dominick went to Wagner again for the 2 point conversion, securing the lead 8-6 as they headed into the locker room for halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive skirmish. Neither team found their way to the end zone.

Early in the fourth quarter, Dominick pitched to Kreger, who won the outside and picked up 20 yards, putting them in the red zone. A few plays later, Dominick back in the pocket found Kreger who ran it in for the score. The extra point was no good, and North Penn-Mansfield held onto their lead, 14-6.

With 3 minutes remaining the Panthers Cale Wagner put the nail in the coffin with this week’s Guthrie Play of the Game. He received the pitch, found a hole, broke a tackle, and went all the way to the end zone. After a failed extra point, the Panthers continued on to win, claiming the Morton F. Jones trophy, with a final score of 21-6.

This game concludes the 2023 football season for both Wellsboro and North Penn-Mansfield.