NTL FOOTBALL: DAVIDSON THROWS SCHOOL-RECORD SIX TD PASSES IN ATHENS' 54-7 WIN OVER TOWANDA (24 PHOTOS) (2025-10-03)

Valley Sports Report
TOWANDA — Junior QB Connor Davidson threw for what is believed to be a school-record six TDs to lead Athens to a 54-7 win over Towanda here Friday night in NTL Large School Division football action at the Endless Mountains Sports Complex.

Davidson completed 15 of 27 passes for 260 yards, and hit four different receivers with TD passes, including senior James Friend, who caught three TD passes.

Athens coach Shawn Bradley said the Black Knights' defense forced the Wildcats to the air.

"Credit to Towanda, we did not do a very good job of running the football," said Bradley. "We pull a lot, and they were blitzing — stopped our pulls.

"They had a lot of guys in the box," he noted. "We had to spread them out and let our quarterback and wide receivers do the work.

"I'm glad we have that ability to throw it when we have to," added Bradley. "I think that the difference from the past."

Athens scored took the lead early on 12-yard TD pass from Davidson to Friend. Junior Zach Fisher's PAT kick made it 7-0.

The Wildcats scored quickly on its next possession on a 52-yard scoring strike from Davidson to junior Gage Marmor. Senior Karson Sipley scored on a conversion run to make it 15-0.

Towanda answered on its ensuing possession, which ended with a 26-yard TD run by Jazz Brown. Brayden Spencer's PAT kick closed the gap to 15-7 in the final minute of the opening stanza.

Brown's TD run accounted for 25 percent of Towanda's total offensive output on the night.

"The defense played phenomenal again — flying to the football and creating turnovers," said Bradley. "They just did a really good job."

The Wildcats responded quickly with Davidson finishing off the drive with a 25-yard strike to Friend. Senior lineman Brenden Comstock ran in the two-point conversion to make it 23-7.

Athens got the ball back with one of its three forced turnovers in the game, and Davidson connected with junior tight end Dom Robbins on a 7-yard TD pass to cap a short scoring drive. Fisher's PAT kick extended the lead to 30-7.

Fisher finished off the first-half scoring with a 35-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 33-7 lead at the half.

Athens opened the second half with a scoring drive that Sipley capped the drive with a 7-yard TD run. Fisher's PAT kick made it 40-7.

Another Towanda turnover set up a quick scoring drive as senior Ryan Cook hauled in a 42-yard scoring strike. Fisher's PAT kick made I 47-7.

The Wildcats finished off the scoring early in the fourth quarter with an 11-yard TD pass from Davidson to Friend. Fisher, who was 5-for-5 on PATs, put the final point on the scoreboard for Athens.

Bradley was pleased with his team's performance.

"Towanda has beat us up the last couple years physically," he said. "Tonight, our kids came out and played hard, and we were physical.

"We had guys out on the line, and some young kids did a good jobbing stepping up," noted Bradley. "Judah Nason did a great job stepping up tonight.

"Offensively, we have to clean up some things, but when we had to, we moved the ball," he added.

Friend led Athens receivers with four catches for 87 yards and three TDs, while Cook had four grabs for 51 yards and one TD, Marmor had three receptions for 67 yards and one TD, and Kaden Rowe added to catches for 24 yards.

Davidson led the Wildcats on the ground with 78 yards on 10 carries, while Sipley added 36 yards and one TD on seven carries.

Towanda had just 101 yards in total offense, including 91 rushing yards on 35 carries. Towanda's QBs — Gabe Wolf and Clinton Tuttle combined to complete 5 of 15 passes for 10 yards and two TDs.

Senior Connor Garrison and sophomore Nolan Raupers recorded interceptions for the Wildcats

Athens, now 6-1, hosts Wyalusing next Saturday afternoon.

Looking ahead, Bradley said his team has some work to do.

"If you can't run the football, and stop the run in high school football, you might be in trouble. We have to be able to run the football a little bit better."

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Connor Davidson. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior James Friend. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.




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