NTL FOOTBALL: NORTHWEST AREA UPENDS SAYRE, 30-20 (2021-10-16)

Valley Sports Report
SHICKSHINNY, Pa. - Northwest Area took advantage of Sayre miscues, and used a punishing ground game in a 30-20 win here Saturday night in NTL Small School football action.

Things started well enough for the Redskins.

After a Northwest turnover on its first possession, Sayre took advantage of the short field with a 17-yard TD pass from senior QB Brayden Horton to junior wideout Lucas Horton. The conversion failed, but Sayre led 6-0 less than three minutes into the game.

The Redskins forced another turnover on the Rangers' next possession, but penalties derailed the possession. It got worse, however, as a bad snap on the punt gave Northwest the ball at the Sayre 6.

Moments later, Landon Hufford scored the first of his four TDs on a 6-yard run. Hufford also tacked on the conversion to give Northwest an 8-6 lead with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter.

The Rangers forced Sayre into a quick punt on its next possession, and took over at their 45.

Northwest drove the short field on eight plays, with Hufford capping the drive with a 1-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. Hufford tacked on the conversion to make it 16-6.

Sayre put together a couple of first downs on its next possession, before punting and pinning the Rangers on their own 6.

Northwest's ground game moved its way down the field, before turning the ball over on downs at the Sayre 18 after an unsuccessful fake field goal.

Moments later, the Redskins fumbled the ball away at their 24 with 1:54 remaining in the half.

Two plays later, Hufford scored on an 18-yard TD run with 58 seconds remaining. Carter Hontz tacked on the conversion to give the Rangers a 24-8 lead.

The Redskins came out of the halftime locker room, and drove to pay dirt. Brayden Horton capped the drive with a 24-yard TD run, then connected with Josh Arnold on the conversion to trim the deficit to 24-14 with 9:52 remaining in the third quarter.

The Rangers answered, however, with a 65-yard scoring drive, capped by Hufford fourth TD of the game - a 3-yard run with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter to make it 30-14.

Sayre's next possession ended on downs at the Northwest 4-yard line, but Sayre got the ball back after a three-and-out and a short punt at the Ranger 24.

On the first play, Brayden Horton found junior Jackson Hubbard with a 24-yard TD strike. The conversion failed, and Sayre trailed 30-20 with 37 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Northwest chewed up clock with its next possession before punting, and pinning the Redskins at their 15.

The Redskins moved the ball into Northwest territory before an interception with 4:56 remaining.

Brayden Horton completed 7 of 17 passes for 115 yards and two TDs, and one interception. Lucas Horton led Sayre with four receptions for 41 yards and one TD, Hubbard had two grabs for 34 yards and one TD, and senior Dylan Watkins added one catch for 40 yards.

Brayden Horton also led the Sayre ground game with 61 yards and one TD on seven carries, while senior David Northrup added 44 yards on nine carries.

The Rangers pounded out 363 rushing yards on 57 carries in the win, led by Hufford's 183 yards on 23 carries. Jake Bobersky added 87 yards on 13 carries, and Hontz chipped in with 77 yards on 13 carries.

Hontz completed 2 of 4 pass attempts for 26 yards and one interception.

Sayre, now 5-3, hosts South Williamsport Friday night.

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IN PHOTO: Sayre's Brayden Horton. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.