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Union Local Snaps Skid with Win Over Buckeye

By KIM NORTH 5 min read
Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Union Local’s Dakota Hess looks to score against Buckeye Local on Friday.

MORRISTOWN -- The Price was certainly right for Union Local to snap a losing streak that had spanned three seasons.

Jakson Price found the end zone three times as the Jets ended a 16-game skid with a 19-6 triumph over visiting Buckeye Local Friday night at Jets Stadium. UL hadn't tasted victory since defeating Warren Local on the road on Sept. 21, 2018 in week six.

"I'm happy for our guys. It (the win) should've come last week (against Monroe Central), but it didn't. This week they rallied, they battled hard … they're great kids. This is a great feeling," Union Local head coach Bernie Thompson said. "This is a testament to our entire program."

Price reached the end zone on a pair of 1-yard runs to give Union Local a 13-0 lead at the half. He finished with 93 yards on 32 carries.

"Love him. Great kid. He's a workhorse," Thompson said of Price, a 5-10, 215-pound sophomore. "Hayden (McCrate) was out tonight so Jakson knew he was going to get a lot of carries and he responded."

McCrate, a speedy transfer from Barnesville, underwent emergency appendectomy surgery earlier in the week and his status for the remainder of the season is in question.

Of course, a good running back is only as good as the offensive line that blocks up front.

"Night and day from last year, huh?" Thompson quizzed. "We couldn't get a yard last year and this year we're taking a (knee in) victory formation. The guys up front have been working really hard."

Those linemen include center David Burghy; guards Johnny Sabinski and Coleman Peck; and tackles Carson Causby and Claude Romshak.

Price made it 19-0 early in the fourth quarter when he ran in from 12 yards out.

The Panthers, who ended their long 43-game losing streak last year with a 20-7 nod over the Jets in Yorkville, didn't quit, however, as Trey Hoover found Brian Palmer Jr. on a 10-yard slant with 7:41 left to play.

"Roger's a great coach and he's doing great things at Buckeye Local," Thompson said of Roger Herbert, a UL graduate.

The Jets finished with 250 yards of offense as sophomore quarterback Carter Blake completed 10 of 16 passes for 157 yards. Caleb McWhorter, a junior, landed four of the completions for 42 yards. Carter Loase hauled in two for 79 stripes, including a 75-yarder that setup the first touchdown.

Buckeye Local had 178 yards of offense, with 107 coming on eight completions (20 attempts) by Hoover. Palmer Jr. caught five aerials for 89 yards and also ran the ball four times for 30 stripes.

"I thought we controlled the ball early but we couldn't cash in on some opportunities that we had," Herbert said. "We've got to be able to convert on third down. That's something we've got to work on and get better at it next week."

Preston Curry had a fumble recovery for the Jets.

Union Local (1-1) hits the road at Martins Ferry next week while Buckeye Local travels north on Ohio 7 to Toronto.

Madonna 50, Wahama 20

FAIRMONT -- Dan Rovira's head coaching debut with Madonna got off to a strong start, as the Blue Dons defeated Wahama at East-West Stadium in Fairmont.

Quarterback Santino Arlia had a game to remember with 400 passing yards and six touchdowns. His first went to Michael Burdine for a 49-yard score, the first of the game. Later in the first quarter, he found Burdine again for a 52-yard TD. Both times Madonna converted the 2-point conversion, with Arlia finding Lucky Pulice twice.

Pulice led all receivers with 145 yards, while Burdine tallied 101. Pulice also recovered a fumble, along with Littleton and Joe Soos.

Monroe Central 41, Bridgeport 8

WOODSFIELD -- Alex Kilburn ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns, while Malachi Rose-Burton threw for two and ran for two scores as Monroe Central downed Bridgeport to start the season off 2-0.

Austin Hogue hauled in a pair of touchdowns in the win on his way to a 95-yard night.

Oak Glen 36, Point Pleasant 13

POINT PLEASANT -- Hunter Patterson scored three touchdowns and combined for 215 total yards as Oak Glen rolled past Point Pleasant.

Quarterback Nick Chaney threw for 159 yards and a touchdown for the Golden Bears.

East Liverpool 34, Indian Creek 13

WINTERSVILLE -- Indian Creek got out to a 7-0 lead but was outscored 34-6 the rest of the way as East Liverpool was just too much for the Redskins.

Jeremy Brown paced Indian Creek with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Edison 23, Conotton Valley 14

RICHMOND ­–­­ The Wildcats got two rushing touchdowns from Tyler Griffith, who finished with 110 yards on 13 carries. Talan McClurg added 31 yards on eight carries with another touchdown on the ground. Overall, the Wildcats ran for 168 yards in a win over Conotton Valley.

Federal Hocking 50, Paden City 22

PADEN CITY -- Despite 120 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns from Joey Baker, Paden City fell to Federal Hocking in the season opener.

Zane Yeater also had a solid night for the Wildcats with 90 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushes.

GOLF

Linsly 304, Trinity Christian 381

WHEELING -- Dylan Dunlevy and Ryan Dembiczak each carded a 74 to earn match medalist honors as Linsly took down Trinity Christian.

Phil Redford shot a 77 and Holden Famsworth added a 79 for the victorious Cadets.

Starting at /week.