Valley Sports ReportTROY — Athens avenged a regular-season loss, and beat Wyalusing, 32-26, to win the Northern Tier Youth Football "A" Division championship game here Sunday afternoon at Alparon Park.
It marked the fifth championship game appearance for the Athens 6th-graders, and their first NTYF title.
"Bolstered by a talented group of fifth-graders, Athens' sixth-graders entered the game with energy, determination, and belief that this time, their effort would be rewarded," said an Athens coach.
"The win was a true testament to teamwork," he said. "Younger players contributed to the scout offense, allowing the defense to prepare effectively, while the seasoned sixth-graders led by example.
“When we first faced the Rams, they were big and physical, and our kids weren’t quite ready," the coach noted. "But they focused, prepared, and came back for another chance — and it showed today.
"For many of the sixth-graders, this victory was long-awaited," the coach added. "Most of these kids have played together since the beginning, persevering through the absence of Landon Briggs, who stepped away for medical reasons. Though he hasn’t played alongside them the last two seasons, Briggs’ support remained."
Earlier this season Wyalusing running back Weston Maines led his team to a 42-26 win.
Wyalusing received the opening kickoff, and on the second play from scrimmage, Maines bounced to right sideline and raced 75 yards for a score to give the Rams a 6-0 lead.
On the second play of the ensuing possession, Athens QB Easton Hubbard connected with Aden Colter on a 50-yard gain into the Wyalusing red zone. Moments later, Wyalusing thwarted the Wildcats with an end zone in the end zone.
Athens' defense forced a turnover on downs, thanks to a QB sack by Jacob Cobb, but Wyalusing answered and led 6-0 after the opening stanza.
Maines scored on a 50-yard run in the second quarter to up the Wyalusing lead to 13-0, but Athens answered immediately with a 65-yard TD pass from Hubbard to Colter. Wyatt Raupers added the extra point to close the gap to 13-7 at the half.
After several defensive stops by Athens — highlighted by key tackles from Beau Hall, Kevin Horsey, Carter Johnson, Kruze Payne, and Lincoln Miller— the Wildcats took over on downs and drove down the field in the final 30 seconds.
Hubbard connected with Cobb twice, the second resulting in a 50-yard TD as time expired to knot the score at 13-13 at the half.
Athens opened the third quarter aggressively as Raupers powered through the line, behind strong blocking from Payne to move the ball into Wyalusing territory. Hubbard then connected with Colter on a fourth-down pass foe a 30-yard TD. A subsequent pass to Cheydin Wells for the extra point extended the lead to 20-13 with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Wyalusing responded immediately as Maines broke free for a 65-yard touchdown, but a big hit by Payne stopped the extra point, leaving Athens ahead 20-19.
Later in the quarter, Hubbard and Wells connected for a 25-yard gain, followed by a 26-yard rush by Raupers. A subsequent Colter reception would have been a touchdown, but a penalty negated the play. Athens ran out the rest of the quarter, maintaining their narrow lead.
The fourth quarter began with another Athens touchdown as Hubbard executed a bootleg around the left end to score to give the Wildcats a 26-19 lead.
Wyalusing comeback attempts were derailed by Nate Wagner and Payne, who combined on a big hit that forced a fumble recovered by Cobb.
Wyalusing, however, responded with an interception to get the ball back.
Maines scored again for Wyalusing, and this time the extra point was good, tying the game at 26-26.
With 3:37 remaining, Hubbard connected with Wells on a 65-yard TD, but the extra point failed and Athens led, 32-26.
In the final sequence, Wyalusing began a drive with runs by Maines. After a key stop by Miller on third-and-short, the Rams, unaware it was fourth down, spiked the ball—turning it over on downs. Athens then ran out the clock to secure the victory.
—————————
IN PHOTO: The championship Athens "A" team. ... PHOTO PROVIDED.
