SMETHPORT ROLLS OVER SHORT-HANDED JOHNSONBURG

WEEK SEVEN

SMETHPORT – Smethport took advantage of a short-handed Johnsonburg team to get a 27-6 win clinching the AML North Division title, the 12^th AML divisional title for the Hubbers, and a spot in the AML Championship game in two weeks.

Johnsonburg was playing without its starting quarterback Francis Iorfido, who was lost earlier in the week with a stress fracture in his leg. Six-foot-five sophomore quarterback Greg Wonderly stepped in and did a credible job in his first start, but his inexperience eventually caught up with him.

The Hubbers racked up a total of six interceptions and two fumble recoveries, which effectively limited the Rams scoring opportunities. While nearly even in statistical categories, the visitors had trouble putting points on the board. Their difficulties on offense didn't carry over to the defense as they effectively shut down the middle of the line forcing the Hubbers to go wide or put it in the air.

Smethport got on the board first on their second possession of the game following a J-Burg punt. The punt gave the Hubbers the ball at the Rams’ 49-yard line.

On the first play of the drive, Rams linebacker, Francis Jovenitti broke into the Hubber backfield and dropped the runner for an 8-yard loss. Then the Hubbers were flagged for their first of two delay of game penalties.

Faced with a third-and-22, the Hubbers senior quarterback Jeff Shostak hit his streaking tight end Shawn Dunkle in stride for a 62-yard touchdown pass. Nick Vandermark kicked the extra point and the Hubs had an early 7-0 lead.

The two teams see-sawed back and forth in the middle of the field for much of the first half until, with about 2 minutes to go in the half, after a Rams fumble recovery, Wonderly lofted a nice touch pass into the corner of the end zone and hit his flanker Jason Durian for the score. The point after failed and the Hubbers trailed off the field leading 7-6.

Smethport received to start the second half and it was instantly apparent that a different team showed up to play.

In less than a minute, Shostak found his wide open split end Steve Bartas deep along the right sideline and Bartas outraced the defender into the end zone. The Hubber faithful breathed a little easier. Again, Vandermark's kick was true and the lead was eight points.

Then the wheels seemed to come off for the Rams as senior linebacker Chuck Duffy recovered a Johnsonburg fumble deep in Rams territory. The combined hit of Dunkle and defensive tackle Ben Scott jarred the ball loose.

Shostak wasted little time in scoring the Hubber's next touchdown as he ran the option to perfection scoring from three yards out. Vandermark was still perfect and the lead was 21-6.

The final Hubber points went on the board as Shostak handed the ball to senior fullback Eric Raydo, who had been shifted to tailback following the injury to starter, Dan Mitchell. Raydo took the pitch and sprinted untouched 42 yards around the left end for the last touchdown. The extra point was wide and the Hubbers' led 27-6 with time left in the third quarter.

Leading the Hubbers were Raydo who finished with 72 yards on 12 carries, Ben Scott who recorded 16 tackles (eight of which were unassisted), and Dave Thomas with two interceptions and Jeff Shostak with three.