NTL FOOTBALL: ATHENS RIDES DEFENSE TO 17-7 WIN OVER SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (13 PHOTOS) (2026-09-18)

Valley Sports Report
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Athens' defense has been overshadowed by its high-scoring offense this year, but on a night when points were hard to come by the Wildcat defense came up big in a hard-fought, 17-7, win over South Williamsport here Friday night in NTL football action.

The defense's biggest moment came early in the fourth quarter when it stopped the Mounties on four plays from the Athens 6 — stopping two runs for no gain, then breaking up a pair of passes in the end zone to take over on downs.

“It was huge a stop," said Athens coach Shawn Bradley.

"That was a physical football team we played and our guys were tough. They didn’t break in red zone possessions,” noted Bradley. “We were physical and hit and they did a phenomenal job on defense.”

The Athens offense started in high gear with senior QB Connor Davidson hooking up with senior wideout Gage Marmor for a 15-yard TD pass late in the first quarter, and a 7-yard TD pass with 9:46 remaining in the first half to make it 14-0.

South Williamsport moved the ball in the first half, but the Wildcats forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Connor Davidson and Brayden Westbrook.

The Mounties saw another golden opportunity to score escape them in the closing seconds of the first half.

South Williamsport completed a pass to the Athens 1 with seven seconds remaining in the half, but an illegal procedure call moved the ball back to the 6.

On the last play of the half South's Eli White was stopped just shy of the goal line as time expired and the Wildcats carried a 14-0 lead into the halftime intermission.

Cade Lusk scored on a 3-yard run midway through the third quarter to put the Mounties on the board and close the gap to 14-7.

Following Athens' red-zone stand, the Wildcats drove down the field and senior Zach Fisher's 24-yard field goal gave them a 17-7 lead with 3:08 remaining to play.

South drove inside the Athens red zone for the fifth time in the game on its ensuing possession, but a fumbled snap at the 4 on fourth down turned the ball over to the Wildcats on downs.

The Wildcat defense kept South off the board in four of their five trips into the red zone, and also held the Mounties on third down eight times in 12 opportunities.

Davidson led the Athens ground game with 109 yards on 25 carries, and senior Brendan Cook added 28 yards on seven carries.

Davidson completed 10 of 23 passes for 114 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions.

“For as good as (Connor) was offensively, he was a freaking stud on defense today. There were some amazing hits, that’s why he’s back there,” said Bradley. “He had some huge hits and that pick that kind of set us up. Just a huge game for Connor. He’s a phenomenal football player.”

Marmor led the Wildcats with three catches for 45 yards and two TDs, while junior Kade Rowe had five grabs for 51 yards, senior Dom Robbins had one reception for 12 yards, and Eli Wayman added one catch for six yards.