DEFENSIVE, SPECIAL TEAMS HELP COUDERSPORT BEAT SMETHPORT

The win was the Falcons (5-0 overall, 5-0 AML North) second in a row over the Hubbers (2-3, 2-3) making it the first time since 1987-88 that Coudersport have beaten Smethport two straight year. The Hubbers had won seven in a row and 14 of 15 against Coudersport before last season’s 20-7 Falcon win. It is the first time Coudersport has shutout Smethport since a 21-0 win in 1986. Overall Smethport leads the series 57-34-4.

The first half was a defensive stalemate until late in the half when Coudersport used a fake punt to set up the game’s lone touchdown.

Facing fourth down at midfield, sophomore punter Caleb Morris threw a fake punt pass to Jeremiah Wagner for a 30-yard gain to the Hubber 20-yard line. On the next snap, quarterback Scott Easton found junior wide receiver Mike Kehr open in the corner of the end zone, and Kehr managed to keep his feet in-bounds while reaching for the aerial and falling to the turf for the Coudersport touchdown.

Clinging to a tenuous 6-0 lead, the Falcons added some valuable insurance early in the fourth quarter following a 30-yard punt return by Kehr that gave Coudersport the ball at the Hubber 36.

Coudersport managed to grind out two fourth-down conversions on the drive while moving the ball to the Smethport 5-yard line. There the drive stalled, but Nick Keagle booted a 22-yard field goal to make the score 9-0.

Smethport’s only serious threat came early in the game when Josh Vandermark’s field goal attempt sailed under the crossbar.

A final Hubber advance in the game's closing minutes was turned back when Kehr gathered in a tipped pass to seal the win.

Ross Simcoe rushed for 86 yards to lead a Coudersport ground game that produced 188 yards on 49 rushes. The Falcon defense held Hubber tailback Mike Mitchell and his running mates in check all night long.

Smethport junior quarterback Matt Switzer was able to earn 146 yards through the air but could not prevent the Falcons from recording their third shutout in five games. The Falcon defense has allowed only four touchdowns this season.