YORKVILLE – The Jets are on full throttle.

Union Local improved to 6-2 on the season on the strength of their fifth consecutive victory – a 42-0 defeat of outmanned Buckeye Local Friday night at World War II Memorial Stadium.

The impressive triumph also enhanced Union Local’s OHSAA’s playoff chances. Coach Bernie Thompson’s charges entered the game sitting solidly in ninth place in the D-V Region 19 standings. The top 12 teams in each region secure a post-season berth.

Union Local will return to action Friday, hosting Bellaire. The Jets’ lone losses have come at the hands of powerhouses Indian Creek and Wheeling Central, both by close margins.

Buckeye Local, meanwhile, fell to 2-6 on the season. The injury-saddled Panthers will visit the Gem City Friday to take on Toronto.

Thompson did not play his starters in the second half as the mercy rule was already in effect by intermission with Union Local holding a 35-0 upperhand

All-Ohio running back Brody Perzanowski once again fueled the Union Local offensive attack while the Jets’ defense turned in another very effective performance.

Perzanowski, Union Local’s all-time career rushing leader, delivered another yeoman’s effort, churning his way for 171 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in a pass for 51 stripes.

The Jets’ defense was suffocating. The Panthers mustered just 75 yards in offense. Moreover, UL junior Brody Kerns pilfered a Buckeye pass to set up a Union Local score.

“We ran the ball very effectively,” Thompson said. “Our offensive line did a tremendous job and our backs ran hard. I was also pleased with how our defense performed.

“I must give credit to Coach (Chris) Kiedaisch. He is a great coach and will build a quality program,” added the former Union Local and Waynesburg grid great. “It was nice for us to get quality time for our backups. It was a good night.”

Union Local put together an 80-yard, nine-play scoring drive on its initial possession. Senior Ryder Gainer capped the march from three yards out. Gavin Fowkes added the PAT.

On their next possession following a Buckeye punt, the Jets drove 53 yards on six snaps with Gainer again punching in the touchdown, this time from five yards out. Jeff Bolon added the PAT.

Kerns’s interception gave Union Local great field position at the Panthers’ 18. Perzanowski carried to the one before scoring on the next snap. Fowkes made it 21-0.

Minutes later, promising freshman Ethan Meyer scored from a yard out with Fowkes making it 28-0. The Jets pushed the lead to 35-0 with two seconds left in the half via a 17-yard TD pass from Colby Carpenter to junior Ayden Graham. Fowkes again converted.

The lone score after intermission was produced by a 44-yard pass from frosh Evan Poziviak to Kam Gordon.

Union Local garnered 276 yards on the ground while adding 137 through the air.

Buckeye Local, meanwhile, found yardage tough to come by. The hosts managed just 48 yards on the ground and completed six-of-16 passes for 31 stripes. Junior Chase Worwa topped the Panther ground attack with 46 yards.

“I like the way we are playing but there are some things we still need to clean up in all three phases,” Thompson said. “We got two big weeks still ahead of us with Bellaire and Barnesville. We just need to keep working hard to get better.”

Both teams were flagged four times. Union Local was assessed 50 yards while the Panthers were flagged for 30 stripes.