NTL FOOTBALL: TOWANDA RIDES FAST START TO 34-13 WIN OVER ATHENS (24 PHOTOS) (2024-10-05)
Valley Sports ReportATHENS — Towanda scored on its first four possessions of the game on its way to a penalty-filled 34-13 win over Athens here Saturday night in NTL football action at Alumni Stadium.
Athens coach Shawn Bradley plugged the play of a pair of players returning from injuries, and said his team is growing.
“Brendan Cooke had surgery two weeks ago, and showed up today and said, ‘I want to play.’ He got cleared so he could help his team, and he had a really good game, too.
“I wish we had about 15 more of him.
“Same thing with Brenden Comstock, he was injured two weeks ago, fights back so he can play this week for his teammates,” said Bradley. “He played, and he played well.
“Those are the type of kids you want.
“We have a bunch of kids who come out and compete, we just need more,” noted Bradley. “That’s a growth thing … the kids are getting better, they just have to keep plugging.
“I appreciate their efforts, we just came up short,” added Bradley.
Athens sophomore Connor Davidson returned the opening kickoff to the Wildcat 46, but four plays later the Black Knight defense came up with a stop on fourth-and-1 at their 45 for a turnover on downs.
Towanda took advantage of the short field with a seven-play, 54-yard drive to take an early lead.
The drive, which featured a 38-yard run by senior QB Riley Vanderpool, was capped by Vanderpool’s 3-yard TD run. Jack Wheaton’s PAT kick made it 7-0 with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter.
After an Athens three-and-out, Towanda took over at its 29, and drove to the Athens 1, where a holding call pushed them back to the Athens 13.
On the next play, Vanderpool scrambled for a 7-yard gain, and the Wildcats were flagged for targeting, moving the ball to the Athens 3.
Caden Delamater finished the drive with a 3-yard TD run with 1:01 remaining in the first quarter. Wheaton’s kick made it 14-0.
The Wildcats answered with a 10-play drive that bridged the first and second quarters to trim the deficit to 14-6.
Davidson opened the 59-yard scoring drive with a 9-yard pass to junior James Friend, and later completed a 35-yard deep ball to junior Karson Sipley.
A targeting call against the Knights two plays later moved the ball half the distance to the goal line, making it second-and-4 at the Towanda 6.
However a holding call against the Wildcats moved the ball back to the 13.
A 10-yard pass from Davidson to Marmor set up a fourth-and-1 at the Towanda 3.
On the next play, Towanda was flagged for a face mask, but it was six yards behind the line-of-scrimmage, and marked from the spot, giving Athens a fourth-and-3 at the Towanda 5.
On the next play, Towanda was flagged for pass interference, giving Towanda a fourth-and-inches in side the Towanda 3.
Finally, on Athens’ fourth fourth-down play, Davidson scampered into the end zone with 8:22 remaining in the half. Sophomore Zac Fisher’s PAT kick was blocked.
Both teams were penalized 10 times in the game, Athens losing 147 yards in the process, and Towanda 118.
Any momentum the Wildcats had was fleeting as Towanda freshman Gage Evans returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards to the Athens 41, and had another 15 yards tacked on due to a targeting call.
Four plays later, Tashon Garner scored on a 6-yard run. Wheaton’s kick made it 21-6 with 6:09 remaining in the half.
After an Athens three-and-out, Towanda took over at its 39, and needed just four plays to add to its lead.
On the first play, Vanderpool connected with freshman Reece Sluyter for a 29-yard gain to the Athens 32.
After a 3-yard run by Rylee Sluyter, Vanderpool broke loose on an apparent 29-yard TD run, but a holding call moved the ball back to the 37.
On the next play, Vanderpool hit Garner with a 37-yard TD strike with 2:10 remaining in the half to make it 27-6.
Towanda added a TD early in the third quarter on a 13-yard TD run by Vanderpool.
Athens scored its lone second-half TD in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard pass from Davidson to Connor Garrison. Fisher’s PAT kick provided the final margin.
Davidson completed 17 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one TD, and one interception. Marmor led the the Athens receivers with five catches for 47 yards, Friend had four grabs for 38 yards, and junior Eli Chapman had three receptions for 27 yards.
Davidson led the Wildcat ground game with 73 yards and one TD on 13 carries.
Vanderpool completed 7 of 15 passes for 181 yards, and one TD. Garner led Towanda’s receivers with four receptions for 127 yards, and one TD, and Reese Sluyter had two grabs for 33 yards.
Vanderpool led Towanda’s ground game with 66 yards and two TDs on 13 carries.
Athens, now 3-4, returns to action Friday at Wyalusing.
NOTE: During halftime, the 2004 Athens District 4 championship team was recognized.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Connor Davidson. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens junior Karson Sipley. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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