Athens holds off Sayre, 12-6

BY CHAD CARLSON (Sports Writer)
Published: November 7, 2009

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SAYRE - It was one of those games where one big play could win or lose the game for you. On a cold November night, Athens Senior quarterback, Colin Eby caught fire and led his team to a thrilling 12-6 victory over the Sayre Redskins. The Wildcats marched into Sayre hoping to claim the Rusty Rail on rivalry night.

Athens came up with a big play on the opening kickoff by recovering a Redskin fumble. Sayre dug deep and held Athens on their first drive. The defenses for both teams continued to dominate through the entire first quarter and much of the second, keeping the offenses out of the end zone. However, one big play would put Athens ahead. Eby tossed the ball to Garrett Swingle. Swingle then launched the ball downfield for a 25-yard touchdown to Senior Dan Riley with just under 30 seconds left in the second quarter. Sayre went to a knee to end the half and knew they had to continue to keep fighting.

Both teams did not score on their first possession of the third quarter. Athens would, however, capitalize on a botched punt off the foot of Sayre's Robert Rought. Colin Eby ignited the Athens offense, throwing a 25-yard strike to Dan Riley. Athens scored on the next play on a 15-yard run by Rickie Young. Athens went up 12-0.

Sayre knew it was time to see how much fight they had left in the tank. On first down, Sayre showed a little bit of trickery their selves when Robert Rought received the ball and threw a 46 yard pass to Taylor Skerpon. Skerpon would score two plays later on a pass from Redskin quarterback Tyler Williams. Sayre missed the extra point, but was in fighting distance of the Wildcats making the score 12-6.

The defense for both teams stepped up and it was down to one final drive. With just over three minutes left in the game, Sayre had one last chance. On second down, Williams tossed the ball to Robert Rought, and Rought threw a tight spiral downfield to Taylor Skerpon for a 33 yard gain. Williams would then complete a huge third down pass to Rought putting the Redskins on Athens's 25 yard line. The Wildcat defense stepped up one more time and stopped the Redskins from tying the game and Athens won a thrilling 12-6 contest. Sayre was one more big play away, but they still showed determination and heart all night. "I couldn't be more proud of these young men," coach Larry Hanifan said, "I love all these kids."

The Wildcats came into Sayre hoping for a victory and a chance to hold up the Rusty Rail. Athens had to overcome adversity all night. "Adversity is a good word for tonight," noted Athens coach Jack Young. "The defense tightened up during the second half and the kids hung tough. It was a good win for the seniors."

Eby was on all night and ended with 113 yards passing on 20 attempts. Josiah Lesser ran for 64 yards and Dan Riley finished with 81 yards receiving and a touchdown. Tyler Williams threw for 82 yards on 12 attempts and Robert Rought threw for 79 yards on 2 attempts. Tyler Skerpon had 3 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.

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