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CANTON--Less than two minutes remained as Canton protected an eight-point lead before facing a third-and-27 at its own 21-yard line.
Nobody would have blamed the coaches if they opted for a safe running play given those circumstances; one which would not lose the game. The Warriors took another route.
They decided to go win the game. Quarterback Owen Moore and wide receiver Rylan Wesneski rewarded their coaches’ trust, connecting on a 44-yard pass which all but sealed a hard-fought 14-6 win against Wellsboro Saturday at Miller A. Moyer Field.
That Canton made the call speaks volumes about the development Moore, a sophomore quarterback, has made this season. He threw for 208 yards and a touchdown Saturday; adding a rushing score as Canton (3-1) continued its strong start and exceeded last year’s win total. Wesneski was equally impressive, catching seven passes for 122 yards. A swarming defense surrendered just 72 yards, and Bailey Gardner totaled 117 yards with a touchdown catch.
"That was taking a risk there, but it ended up paying off for us," Canton coach Tyler Sechrist said. "We’re putting the ball in your (Moore’s) hands and saying, ‘Make a play for us. We trust you.’"
Moore has earned that belief after coming on strong late in his freshman season and continuing to grow this year. He nearly reached 1,000 passing yards despite not becoming the full-time starter until Week 5 as a young Canton team learned on the fly. It was a steep learning curve, but one which has proven mighty beneficial.
The growing process continues, but Moore is light years from where he was a year ago. He’s wiser, more decisive and more accurate. Moore is more confident, too, and at the most crucial times all those qualities came together as he helped Canton avenge a blowout defeat from a year ago at Wellsboro.
"Freshman year playing quarterback I think changed my life," Moore said after adding a third quarter interception. "I’m way more comfortable. I feel comfortable leading the team as a sophomore and I feel like my guys listen to me a little better after seeing the struggles we went through last year."
Moore possesses the skill, but it was the maturity he has gained which convinced Canton to take a chance and go for the kill in the final two minutes. Wellsboro (1-3) had all three timeouts remaining, so it appeared set up well to get the ball back and take a shot at forcing overtime.
Moore, Wesneski and the offensive line had other ideas. Moore dropped straight back; had time to throw and spotted Wesneski cutting toward the middle of the field. He dropped a dime into a tight window, hitting Wesneski in stride.
Wesneski took the 20-yard pass from there, gaining an additional 24 yards and reaching the Wellsboro 35. The Hornets then had to use their final three timeouts on three straight Canton running plays. By the time Wellsboro regained possession at its own 36, only two seconds remained and Moore knocked down a deep desperation pass as time expired.
"That’s what football is all about. That’s the exciting part. It feels good making the big plays and keeping the team alive," Moore said. "Rylan is a great receiver; he has great hands. He’s one of those guys where if we need a big catch, we go to Rylan. He’s one of those very reliable receivers."
Moore is becoming a reliable playmaker in his own right. Ironically, it may be Wellsboro collecting five sacks which shines a light upon that.
Unlike a year ago, Moore is not forcing the issue. If a play is not there, he is not risking a turnover. Better to take a sack and live another day, especially when the defense has allowed just two touchdowns in three wins.
Still, when necessary, Moore made some great decisions and even better plays. The biggest, before the late 44-yard third down conversion, put Canton ahead, 14-6 in the third quarter. The Warriors faced a fourth-and-six when Moore immediately was hurried as he dropped back.
Moore quickly rolled left and, with multiple defenders bearing down, made a strong throw on the run which found Bailey Gardner 20 yards downfield. The senior leader extended his hands and made the catch, spun away, broke a tackle and went 44 yards for the score.
"I dropped back and I just said a prayer and threw that ball. I got hit really hard and Bailey Gardner is a great athlete and he caught that ball and made it work and scored that touchdown," Moore said. "That was very big for us. I got up and saw him running down the field and that was a great feeling knowing that prayer ball worked."
"Every game, he’s getting better; getting smarter," Sechrist said. "He’s learning and it’s exciting he’s only a sophomore."
Canton also is excited about how well its defense is playing. The Warriors have surrendered just 15 points in three wins, including none in the second half. Wellsboro put together a fantastic opening drive, covering 83 yards on 15 plays, but Canton formed a red wall from there.
Just as important, the defense helped set up the go-ahead score early in the second quarter. Canton recovered a fumble at the Wellsboro 8-yard line and Moore scored from a yard out a play later with Aaden Dowling’s extra point putting it ahead to stay.
Wellsboro lost three-year starting quarterback Griffin Morral to an ankle injury on that opening possession, but Derrick Blasz stepped up and threw a beauty of a 26-yard touchdown to Max Mascho on fourth-and-six. It was the third time Wellsboro converted that drive on fourth down.
From there, however, Canton did its best 1985 Bears impersonation. Wellsboro gained 73 yards on the scoring drive but just three yards on 29 plays after that. The defensive line dominated and Marcus Solomon was a force, generating 12 tackles and a sack. Gardner, Brayden Dodge and Brooks Wedneski also produced sacks, while Rylan Wesneski and Brayden Tucker combined on another.
Following the Blasz to Mascho touchdown, Wellsboro did not record another first down until late in the third quarter. The Hornets also moved into Canton territory just one more time and that came via a muffed punt. Canton allowed no yards on four plays after the ball was recovered at the 29, and Leland Tubach helped snuff out the threat with an excellent pass break up on a deep ball into the left corner of the end zone.
"They were playing a little faster; a little more physical," Sechrist said. "They were really flying to the ball and tackling well. It was very encouraging."
Wellsboro also should be encouraged by its defensive performance. The Hornets stifled the run, and Levi Champaign was a beast up front, generating 1 ½ sacks and multiple tackles for loss. Christian Main added an interception and the defense turned Canton away six times after it crossed midfield, keeping comeback hopes alive until the final play.
Still, on Hall of Fame Day at Miller A. Moyer Stadium, Canton offered its legends of the past a glimpse into what looks like a bright present and even sunnier future. The Warriors went through the fire last year but escaped unscathed. Now, they are making an upward climb again.
"We put a lot of work in over the summer," Moore said. "We’ve done a lot of things to improve. Just seeing it work feels really good."
"It’s kind of like when you get into that dark tunnel and you’re starting to get out of it and you’re starting to see a little light," Sechrist said. "Sometimes there are years where it’s dark but there’s a little bit of light and we’re starting to see the end of that tunnel now. It’s a good feeling."
Canton 14, Wellsboro 6
Wellsboro 6 0 0 0--6
Canton 0 7 7 0--14
First Quarter
W--Max Mascho 26 pass from Derrick Blasz (pass failed), 4:13
Second Quarter
C--Owen Moore 1 run (Aaden Dowling kick), 10:48
Third Quarter
C--Bailey Gardner 44 pass from Moore (Dowling kick), 10:42
TEAM STATISTICS W C
First Downs 8 13
Rushes-yards 23-(-4) 37-78
Passing yards 76 211
Total yards 72 289
Comp-Att-Int 9-21-1 12-19-1
Fumbles-lost 2-1 3-1
Penalties-yards 8-64 15-133
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Wellsboro, Griffin Morral 2-12; Reed Richardson 8-12; Max Mascho 7-2; Team 1-(-9); Derrick Blasz 5-(-21). Canton, Bailey Gardner 12-59; Jaidan Ortiz 6-27; Brayden Tucker 5-3; Owen Moore 14-(-11), TD.
PASSING: Wellsboro, Blasz 6-16-1, 52 yards, TD; Morral 3-5-0, 24 yards. Canton, Moore 12-18-1, 211 yards, TD; Gardner 0-1-0.
RECEIVING: Wellsboro, Mascho 3-33, TD; Christian Main 2-8; Grady Morral 1-12; Colton Hauser 1-11; Richardson 1-7; Kody Enck 1-5. Canton, Rylan Wesneski 7-122; Gardner 2-58, TD; Monte Whitehead 1-15; Aaden Dowling 1-9; Ortiz 1-7.
INTERCEPTIONS: Wellsboro, Main. Canton, Moore.
SACKS: Wellsboro, Levi Champaign 1 ½; Lance Starkweather; Ismail Lapann; Richardson; Benton Bradley ½. Canton, Gardner, Marcus Solomon, Brayden Dodge, Brooks Wesneski; Tucker ½; Wesneski 1/2
RECORDS: Canton 3-1. Wellsboro 1-3.