Hawks roar past Lions with big second half

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Tony Geska tries to go through the tackle of Wellsville’s Grady Ball (55) and Sam Childs (33) during the Hawks win over the visiting Lions this afternoon.

What a difference a half makes!

Shutout in the first half, Holley erupted for four touchdowns in the second half to defeat visiting Wellsville 30-14 this afternoon in the 8 Man Division regular season finale.

Holley drove into Wellsville territory four times in the first half but could not capitalize turning the ball over three times on downs and losing a fumble at the visiting Lions 12 yard line.

However, the second half was a different story beginning with the recovery of a Wellsville fumble at midfield on the opening kickoff by Tony Fallato and Tony Geska.

Holley’s Tony Fallato stops a two-point conversion attempt by Wellsville’s Matt Ritter.

The Hawks capitalized on the turnover by putting together an 11 play, 48 yard scoring drive capped off by an 8 yard touchdown run and two-point conversion carry by Hunter Smith to take the lead for good at 8-0 six minutes into the quarter.

Wellsville answered right back with a touchdown just 16 seconds later on a 49 yard run by Matt Ritter but Holley maintained a now slender 8-6 lead as a tackle by Tony Fallato stopped the Lions two-point conversion attempt.

The Hawks opened up a little breathing room on their next possession as Smith ran 3 yards for a touchdown and quarterback Destin Kuyal passed to Zach Milner for the two-point conversion and a 16-6 lead. A big 30 yard pass completion from Kuyal to Vinny Golisano highlighted the drive.

Keeping the momentum, the Hawks built their advantage to 24-6 on their next possession as Dakota Mastowski scored on a 1 yard TD run and Kuyal passed to Michael Fallato for the two-point conversion. A 23 yard run by Kuyal ignited the drive.

Holley got the ball right back as Michael Fallato recovered a botched Wellsville kickoff return attempt at the Lions 1 yard line.

The Hawks were quick to capitalize as Frank Golisano scored on the first snap upping the lead to 30-6.

Wellsville scored in the final minute and a half on a 3 yard TD run and a two-point conversion carry by Ritter.

Holley, which opened the season with an identical 30-14 victory at Wellsville, finishes the regular season at 3-5 while the Lions wind up at 1-7. Both teams will be competing in the sectionals starting next weekend.

Note – More photos from the game are on the Hub’s sports Facebook page.

Michael Falatto makes a two-point conversion for the Hawks despite the tackle attempt of Jayden Acker of the Lions.