SMETHPORT — The Smethport Hubbers opened their season Saturday afternoon at home against Ohio’s Lucas Cubs, falling by a score of 48-12.
First-year Smethport head coach Eric Rees made his debut against the Cubs, who traveled 256 miles for the game.
Smethport found its opponent after their scheduled Week 1 game against Elk County Catholic was called off on account of the Crusaders’ co-op with St. Marys Area.
Smethport began the game with momentum when Lucas fumbled the opening kickoff, and Smethport fell on the ball at the Lucas 25. Smethport couldn’t take advantage though; on fourth down sophomore quarterback Aiden Tanner threw an interception that was caught by senior linebacker Buck Arnold. Arnold returned the ball 75 yards all the way to the end zone to give the Cubs an early 6-0 lead.
When Lucas’ offense got the ball for the first time, they used a tight formation that allowed them to run the ball methodically down the field. After seven straight run plays, Lucas scored on a 12- yard run, they added on a two-point conversion shortly after to make the lead 14-0.
Lucas threatened to score again but lost the ball when a fumble went out of bounds in the endzone to make it a touchback. Smethport went three-and-out however and had to punt the ball for the third straight possession.
“We tried to run some stuff that we thought we could get them on,” Rees said. “We just didn’t execute very well in some places. We missed a couple big opportunities.”
Lucas made sure not to give up the ball on their next drive. After a 54-yard run put the ball at the Smethport 25-yard line, senior Daniel Hockensmith bulldozed through the Hubbers defense to score a 15-yard rushing touchdown. After the first quarter, the score was 21-0 Lucas.
Smethport responded with a touchdown of their own to open the second quarter. Tanner connected with senior Owen Rounsville for a 66-yard touchdown pass that put some energy into Smethport and made the score 21-6.
Lucas attacked through the air on their next possession when senior Robert Grover passed to Zac Winters for 52-yards. A facemask penalty put the ball at the Smethport 10. Sophomore Brady Guegold ran it in for a 9-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 27-6.
After another Hubbers punt, Lucas worked its way down to the Smethport 19-yard line. The drive stalled there though, and Lucas turned the ball over on downs. Smethport still failed to get it going on offense as the half was about to close. Tanner threw his second interception when Winters picked him off and returned it to the Smethport 16-yard line.
A few plays later Hockensmith scored for the second time with a 4-yard rushing touchdown that put the Cubs up 34-6 at the half.
The Hubbers started the second half in exciting fashion like they did the first. On the second half kickoff Rounsville returned the ball 73 yards for a touchdown that cut into the big Lucas lead and made it 34-12.
Lucas didn’t falter and kept up their strong offensive play in the second half. The Cubs responded with a 58-yard scoring drive that finished with another Hockensmith rushing touchdown from 20 yards out that made the score 41-12.
Smethport earned two of their three first downs of the game with two third down pass interference penalties that put them inside Lucas territory. The drive stalled and Smethport turned the ball over on downs.
Lucas started their drive at midfield and finished it with a Jaden Soulis 8-yard score. The third quarter finished 48-12 Lucas.
The fourth quarter went quickly as the mercy rule clock was in effect. Neither offense could do much in the quarter as the game finished 48-12. Smethport walked away from the opening game 0-1.
Tanner finished the day with 88 yards passing, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Rounsville had a nice game with three receptions for 83 yards, a receiving touchdown, and a kickoff return for a touchdown. Sophomore Ian Fitzsimmons led the team in tackles with 10.
For Lucas, Hockensmith ran for 68 yards with three touchdowns. Guegold ran for 122 yards and one touchdown.
“We took on a tough challenge with this team, being returning state semifinalists in Ohio they have a good tradition and a good program,” Rees said.
Smethport will look to bounce back against another tough opponent at home against Port Allegany on Friday at 7 p.m.
“Going forward we are just going to keep working to be better,” Rees said. “Port Allegany has the kids on that team that know what winning looks like. We know it’s going to be a tough challenge. We are going to get right with what we do and give Port Allegany everything we got to try to win a ball game.”
AT Smethport
BY QUARTERS
Lucas 21 13 14 0—48
Smethport 0 6 6 0—12
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Lucas: 20, Smethport: 3; Rushes/Yards Rushing: Lucas: 50-453, Smethport: 22-30; Yards Passing: Lucas: 115, Smethport: 88; Comp-Att-Int: Lucas: 4-5-0, Smethport: 5-16-2; Penalties: Lucas: 7-66, Port A.: 6-40; Fumbles-Lost: Lucas: 2-2, Smethport: 0-0; Total Yards: Lucas: 668, Home: 118; Offensive Plays: Lucas: 55, Smethport: 38
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: Lucas: Robert Grover, 4-5, 115 YDS; Smethport: Aiden Tanner, 5-16, 88 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Lucas: Brady Goegold 9 CAR, 122 YDS, 1 TD ; Smethport: Jonah Ganoe, 9 CAR, 18 YDS
Receiving: Lucas: Zac Winters, 3 REC, 81 YDS ; Smethport: Owen Rounsville, 3 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary
First quarter
Lucas — Buck Arnold 75 interception return (extra-point failed), 10:25
Lucas — 12 run (2-point conversion run), 5:51
Lucas — Daniel Hockensmith 15 Run (extra-point), 0:23
Second quarter
Smethport — Owen Rounsville 66 pass from Aiden Tanner (extra-point failed), 11:49
Lucas — Brady Goegold 9 run (extra-point failed), 10:54
Lucas — Hockensmith 4 run (extra-point), 1:36
Third quarter
Smethport — Rounsville 73 kickoff return (2-point conversion failed), 11:50
Lucas — Hockensmith 20 run (extra-point), 7:35
Lucas — Jaden Shaulis 8 run (extra-point), 0:55
