Coudersport Falcons fly high at J-Burg

Derek Burdick (23) and Brett Whitman (7) were among Falcons scoring touchdowns at Johnsonburg.

Coudersport heads to Kane next Friday night for a regular season football finale that should be a doozy.

The Falcons should have little trouble with Smethport this Friday, but the Wolves present a stiff challenge on Oct. 26 (7 p.m.).

Quarterback Zach Anderson is a pinpoint passer who throws an average of only 10 times per game, but is connecting on about 63 percent of his aerials. Running back Dustin Moran averages almost six yards per carry. Receivers John Bizzak and Deryk Smith are big-play threats.

The Wolves (7-0) also play solid defense. They're surrendering just 10 points per game.

Coudersport hopes to knock off Kane to close out the regular season with an 8-1 record and build momentum for a strong defense of their two straight PIAA District 9 championships.

Even with their leading rusher, junior tailback Tim Thomas, and the versatile Justen Kinder out with injuries, Coudersport had an easy time at Johnsonburg last Friday night in a 35-6 victory.

Quarterback Brian Wetzel hit Colton Corey on a 22-yard pass play, then handed off to Corey for a two-yard touchdown run cap a 70-yard drive on the Falcons' opening possession.

Later, Wetzel connected with Kyle Gee on a 19-yard pass, Corey dashed 14 yards to the Rams' three, and Gee scored from there. Wetzel's pass to Ty Carts for the two-point conversion made it 14-0.

Sophomore Dirk Cowburn broke loose on a 39-yard run to set up Gee's one-yard TD run on Coudersport's next possession. Cooper Bonczar drilled the extra point.

Craig Carrow's interception put Johnsonburg in business at the visitors' seven, where Zach Padasak found Ren Yonker with the TD strike.

But the Falcons sealed the deal on a pass from Wetzel to Brett Whitman, who shook off two Johnsonburg defenders at the Ram 20 and polished off a 58-yard touchdown play. Bonczar's boot made it 28-6 at the intermission.

Another touchdown pass from Wetzel, this time to Derek Burdick, covering 27 yards to close out the scoring just after the break. Substitutes played out the remainder of the game.

Wetzel finished an efficient 11 of 17 pass attempts for 181 yards. Rushing leader was Cowburn with nine carries for 74 yards.

Defensively the Falcons were led by Zach Buckler and Michael Dunn. Buckler had 10 tackles and a pass deflection; Dunn added nine tackles and two quarterback hurries.