Wellsville ? The slow-start, big-finish thing is getting to be quite fun for Wellsville High football coach Bill Oshel.

After starting 1-5 last year and rolling into the state playoffs, his Eagles are climbing farther from a deeper hole in 2003. Following an 0-5 start, the Eagles won their sixth straight, downing Southeast-Cherokee, 15-6, in the Class 3A playoffs.

The Eagles will meet Silver Lake (9-1) Friday in the state sectionals. It’s the farthest Wellsville has been in the playoffs since losing in the 1996 state finals.

“We know if we just keep getting better each game, then by the end of the season we’re going to be there,” Oshel said. “Our defense has been there most of the year, but we’re starting to come into our own offensively. If we go far enough, who knows how good we’ll be.”

The Eagles forced a Southeast fumble on the game’s second play. Josh Lamberd put them on top late in the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown plunge, followed by another run for the two-point conversion.

The Lancers didn’t capitalize on two early Wellsville fumbles. Cherokee had just 70 yards of offense in the first half and had its final drive halted by Kelsey Currin’s interception.

Wellsville added another touchdown late in the third quarter when Austin Bloss hauled down quarterback Ryan Oshel’s 39-yard bomb in double coverage.

Southeast answered with a nine-play, 56-yard scoring drive. Lancer quarterback Clint Rider capped it with a 5-yard run, but the 2-point conversion failed and the Eagles held strong the rest of the way.

“This is the greatest feeling in the world,” said senior tailback Gary Van Horn, who led the Eagles with 80 yards rushing, a late interception and two touchdown-saving tackles. “We’ve really jelled over the last couple of weeks, so we just need to keep this going next week.”