CURWENSVILLE — The 2023 home opener for the Curwensville Golden Tide wasn’t going to be an easy one as the District 5 power Windber Ramblers (2-0) came to town after two consecutive 11-win seasons and an opening night romp over Glendale 51-6.
The Tide faired slightly better Friday night than the Vikings did last week, ending up on the losing end of a 42-7 final at Andy Evanko Stadium.
The game was in the Mercy Rule with a running clock the entire second half as the visitors ran out to a 35-0 halftime lead.
The Tide had two turnovers in the first half that led to Windber touchdowns.
Junior running back Luke Hostetler proved to be too much for the Tide as he finished the game with 254 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 20 carries. That after a 320 yard performance on opening night.
The Tide managed their lone score on an 80 yard scoring drive on their first possession of the second half, which took up most of the third quarter clock. The drive was capped by a Braden Holland 4-yard run.
Tide quarterback Tyler Dunn had 175 yards of total offense, passing for 120 yards and rushing for 55.
Hunter Tkakic led the Tide receiving corps with 74 yards on five receptions.
The Tide will look to pick up their first win of the young season next Friday night when they travel to Mount Union to face the Trojans (1-1) in an ICC-North battle.
NOTE – In a pre-game ceremony, Curwensville dedicated the press box in memory of the late Bill Williams, the longtime voice of Tide football. He called a plethora of games since 2001.
