Lightning Strikes: Howard scores 2 TDs, returns pick for 100 yards to aid Wellsville’s 32-point 2nd quarter in 60-20 road win at rival B-R: Lions to face Frewsburg back home next week

By John Anderson/Wellsville Sun

BOLIVAR — Tim Keenan has tried to keep his Wellsville Lions football team focused on a game plan and taking opponents one game at a time. But the rivalry with Bolivar-Richburg was too strong, and even the second-year coach admitted he felt the hype as well.

On the other side of the field, Bolivar-Richburg’s ninth-year coach Steve Smith and his veteran assistants were ready. On the first play from scrimmage, Bolivar-Richburg ran a perfectly executed and blocked run play as Tavyn MacDonell went 70 yards for the score and an 8-0 lead.

Wellsville (2-1) kept their composure and thanks to a strong running game and defense, the Lions raced back to win, 60-20.

"We were able to run the ball, which was huge," Keenan said. "Running the ball for us is great because it opens up other things and allows us to get more guys involved. We spread the ball a lot more and the team vibes more when more kids get touches."

Indeed.

With wideout Trent Green out, the Lions went to the run game instead of the traditional passing in 8-man football. Matt Ritter had five carries for 60 yards and a touchdown while Xander Outman had five carries for 57 yards and a score. Damon Davis had 20 yards, Jack Davis ran for 12 and Ryan Sturm had a four-yard run.

Once the run game was established, Bolivar-Richburg (0-3) was in single coverage against Wellsville's 6-foot-5 wide receiver Jayvontay "J.J." Howard, quarterback Brennen Geffers went to the air. The junior QB was efficient, going 11-for-14 passing for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran five times for 37 yards. Howard caught six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, while Jack Davis had two catches for 37 yards and David Clark had two catches for eight yards.

However, it was Howard who made a difference in the game in other ways. First, with Bolivar-Richburg knocking at the door, trailing 30-14, Howard had an incredible 49-yard punt that was downed at the 1-yard-line. Later in the second quarter, the Wolverines were driving for a last-second score before halftime when Howard picked off a pass at the goal line, broke through traffic and raced 100 yards for the interception return for a touchdown.

Bolivar-Richburg had some outstanding offense and special teams plays as well.

Tavyn MacDonell had an electrifying 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and then returned a second kick for an 80-yard score. On the second touchdown, a block in the back was called within a second of him scoring. However, Maddox Davison, who took on a lot of running on offense due to injuries, had a great drive capped off with a two-yard touchdown run.

"Bolivar-Richburg opened with a heck of a play," Keenan said. "We knew in the preparation for this week they do that, and they got us a couple times throughout the game. We were just lucky to not have all of them break that far. That's something we are going to have to work on going forward because teams are going to see that on tape."

Keenan was also dealing with an excited sideline.

"It is tough (trying to downplay a rivalry) as we are trying to preach one game at a time," Keenan said. "I'm not from here, so I'm not part of the rivalry, but sure, I heard about it. I just know we were on the other side of it last year (B-R has beaten the Lions the last two seasons, 44-8 and 44-24)."

Before the season started, Wellsville had an influx of players from Genesee Valley/Belfast. Section V kept the Lions in 8-man, but Keenan said if the numbers can continue to increase, he would like to see the team back in 11-man. The new turf at Wellsville is lined for regular football with black hash marks for the 8-man game.

The Bolivar-Richburg offense was led by who had six carries for 81 yard and a touchdown while Davison had 12 carries for 51 yards and the touchdown. Logan Shreve had nine carries for 26 yards. On defense, Charlie Militello had four solo tackles while MacDonell, Shreve and Davison had 3.5 tackles each. James Gleason had several strong tackles and broke up two passes.

On defense for Wellsville, junior Matt Ritter led the Lions with 10 tackles, four solo and one tackle for a loss while junior Derek Coleman had seven tackles and a sack. Austin Jones, Cole Densmore and Zach Davis each were in one five tackles. Xander Outman had three solo tackles and six total.

Tyler Rahr was in on four tackles, one for a loss. Gabe Black and Howard had three tackles while Bryan Kear, Collin Perkins, Jaxson Black, Jasik Campbell and Cole Densmore were in on two tackles each.

Keenan said many players stepped up to finally slow down MacDonell and Davison.

"The defense was great. We have good numbers so we can develop more guys," Keenan said. "Tonight, we didn't have Trenton Green so a sophomore stepped up and got time. We are seeing rapid development from kids who have never played the game of football before."

There is also the encouragement of teammates.

"The kids are all buying in. They are not only excited for themselves, but they are excited for each other which is a different sense of energy than I've seen since we've been a part of this," Keenan said. "Attitude-wise, energy-wise, we've got buy-in from the kids, we've got buy-ins from the parents now, so I think the scoreboard is more of a reflection of that than anything we are doing, they have bought into what we are doing."

Wellsville will host Frewsburg Friday in a 7 p.m. kickoff, while Bolivar-Richburg is at Holley on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Wellsville 14 32 8 6 – 60

Bolivar-Richburg 8 6 0 6 – 20

Scoring Summary

1st

B-R – Tavyn MacDonell 70-yard run, 2-pts good (8-0 B-R)

WLSV – Xander Outman 3-yard run, 2-pts failed (8-6 B-R)

WLSV – JJ Howard 27-yard pass from Brennen Geffers, 2-pts good (14-8 WLSV)

2nd

WLSV – Brennen Geffers 15-yard run, 2-pts good (22-8 WLSV)

WLSV – Matt Ritter 2-yard run, 2-pts good (30-8 WLSV)

B-R – Tavyn MacDonell 82-yard kickoff return, 2-pts failed (30-14 WLSV)

WLSV – JJ Howard 8-yard pass from Brennen Geffers, 2-pts good (38-14 WLSV)

WLSV – JJ Howard 100-yard interception return, 2-pts good (46-14 WLSV)

3rd

WLSV – Xander Outman 8-yard run, 2-pts good (54-14 WLSV)

4th

WLSV – Brennen Geffers 4-yard run, 2-pts failed (60-14 WLSV)

B-R – Maddox Davison 2-yard run, 2-pts failed (60-20 WLSV)

Total Yards: WLSV 292, B-R 178.

Passing: WLSV 143, B-R 26.

Rushing: WLSV 149, B-R 152.

First Downs: WLSV 17, B-R 9.
Turnovers: WLSV 0, B-R 2.
Penalties: WLSV 5-61, B-R 5-47.
Punts: WLSV 1-47, B-R 3-24.
TOP: WLSV 26:57, B-R 24:08.