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HAZLETON — The first half for Hazleton Area on Friday night went just as planned.
The Cougars played stellar defense and moved the ball with authority against Wallenpaupack. Their first win of 2016 was within grasp.
Then the Buckhorns gave the Cougars a taste of their own medicine in the final 24 minutes and held on for a 16-7 victory.
Hazleton Area picked up 194 total yards in the first half to Wallenpaupack’s 36. The 0-5 Cougars also held an 11-2 advantage in first downs in the first two quarters. In fact, the Cougars were so dominant that the Buckhorns’ only two first downs came on their final possession of the second quarter.
A nice hookup between Cougars quarterback Sparky Wolk to back Damon Horton, who caught the ball one-handed in the flat, for a 43-yard touchdown put Hazleton Area in front 7-0 on the second play of the second quarter.
Wallenpaupack (2-3) got good field position on its next possession thanks to a long kick return. Aiden Maldacker crushed a 42-yard field goal to get his team on the board at 7-3 with 9:59 left before halftime.
The Cougars had two more drives in the first half, but both ended in punts.
When Wallenpaupack got the ball to start the second half, the offense made sure Hazleton Area would not be able to get its offense rolling again by putting together long drives.
The Buckhorns, who nearly doubled the Cougars’ second-half yardage, started the third quarter with a 15-play, 72-yard drive that lasted more than 6 minutes and resulted in a touchdown run by Tyler Neglia giving ‘Paupack it’s first lead at 9-7.
As bad luck would have it for the Cougars, they fumbled the ensuing kick return and gave the ball right back to Wallenpaupack. The Cougars forced a punt, but couldn’t finish their next drive, which ended with a blocked field goal.
The Buckhorns then put together another long drive. This time 17 plays for 83 yards, eating up more than 8 minutes on the clock and resulting in a QB sneak score to make it a two- score game, 16-7 with 3:23 remaining in the fourth.
Another lost fumble on the next kick return by the Cougars all but sealed their fate.
Wallenpaupack 16, Hazleton Area 7
Wallenpaupack`0`3`6`7`—`16
Hazleton Area`0`7`0`0`—`7
Second quarter
H — Damon Horton 43 pass from Sparky Wolk (Will Barrientos kick)
W — Aiden Maldacker 42 FG, 9:59
Third quarter
W — Tyler Neglia 2 run (pass failed)
Fourth quarter
W — Tommy McCormick 1 run (Maldacker kick), 3:23
