Falcons close football season 8-3

Coudersport's Dirk Cowburn (right) recovers a fumble against Kane last Friday. The Falcons ended their season with an 8-3 record. Paul Burdick photo

Coudersport's high school football season came to a close in the snow and mud Friday night at Kane, 26-6, in the PIAA District 9 semifinals.

It wasn't the way long-time coach Paul Simcoe wanted to go out, but the Wolves wore down the Falcons in a physical battle that was closer than the final score suggests.

Coudy trailed 12-6 and was driving into Kane territory late in the third quarter when the hosts' Mike Punk intercepted a pass. The Wolves ran off 16 plays to eat up most of the fourth quarter before scoring a touchdown that sealed the Falcons' fate.

Coudersport finished at 8-3 in what Simcoe has said is likely his final season at the helm. Kane improved to 12-0 heading into Saturday's D9 title game against Cameron County.

Running back Dustin Moran helped the hosts control the game with 35 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Zach Buckler and sophomore Dirk Cowburn were everywhere for the Falcon defense, but Kane had the advantage in the pits.

Cowburn's interception stopped the Wolves' first advance into Coudersport territory and he recovered a fumble at Kane's 20 to set up the night's first touchdown, an 18-yard pass from Brian Wetzel to Colton Corey. Wetzel had excellent protection on the play, giving him time to wait for Corey to cut across the middle and haul in the pass for six.

Kane responded with a game-tying drive, highlighted by Zach Anderson's 20-yard pass to D. J. Horton. Moran followed with a three-yard touchdown run up the middle.

Moran scored again on a pitch to the left, capping an effective drive to give Kane a 12-6 lead with 3:14 left in the half. Coudersport was on the march late in the half before Ross Nicholson recognized a screen pass and intercepted.

After the break, Kane was about to capitalize on a fumble inside Falcon territory before Cowburn picked off an Anderson aerial. A determined Falcon team drove from its four deep into Kane territory before Punk picked off Wetzel's hurried pass under pressure.

Moran had 11 carries on the Wolves' extended drive that ended with Anderson's twoyard run at the 3:43 mark of the fourth quarter. Anderson hit Moran for the conversion and a 20-6 lead.

All doubt was removed when John Bizzak came up with Kane's fourth interception and returned it 55 yards for another touchdown.

Wetzel finished the game 12- for-19 for 132 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He closed out his career going 216-for-383 passing for 3,657 yards, 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

Cowburn and Corey led the running attack with 54 and 46 yards, respectively. Corey had four catches for 68 yards. Justen Kinder caught three passes, while Derek Burdick and Cowburn each hauled in two.