Connellsville Dominates Uniontown 56-12, Retains Old Coal Bucket

Connellsville reaffirmed its dominance in Fayette County’s oldest football rivalry with a resounding 56-12 victory over Uniontown on October 27, 2023. The game, held at Connellsville Stadium, ensured that the coveted “Old Coal Bucket” will remain in Connellsville for at least one more year. With this win, the Falcons extended their winning streak in the series to seven games, improving their overall lead to 41-36-9 after the 86th matchup.

Connellsville’s offensive line played a crucial role in the victory, paving the way for standout running back Jayden Mickens. Mickens rushed for an impressive 200 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns. Connellsville head coach Jace McClean praised his offensive line, stating, “Our line, they played well tonight. They were pulling, picking up guys and opening up some holes for him. He had some great cuts.”

The Falcons’ passing game also proved effective, with quarterback Caden Matthews completing 5 of 10 passes for 156 yards, including four touchdowns. Notably, Linkon Keller caught three passes for 47 yards, while Christian Thomas made two receptions for 109 yards, both of which resulted in touchdowns. McClean highlighted Matthews’ ability, saying, “Caden does throw a pretty ball, and we have some good receivers, so when he gets some time to throw, he can make some magic happen.”

Uniontown initially took the lead with a touchdown on their opening drive. Quarterback Brayden Hinzy connected with Taylor Galloway on a 19-yard touchdown pass, giving the Red Raiders a 6-0 advantage at 9:13 of the first quarter. However, the early momentum quickly shifted as Connellsville responded decisively.

The Falcons scored on their first possession, with Matthews finding Keller for a 31-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful extra point from Hunter Brown, bringing the score to 7-6 at 6:39 of the opening period. Connellsville’s second touchdown came after a solid series of runs by Mickens and a facemask penalty against Uniontown. Despite facing a daunting 2nd-and-30 from their own 10-yard line, Mickens gained 29 yards, setting up a 4th-and-1 situation, which Matthews converted with a sneak. Thomas then scored on a short pass, extending the lead to 14-6.

As the game progressed, Connellsville continued to dominate. Keller recovered his own onside kick, leading to another touchdown by Mickens, increasing the home team’s lead to 21-6. Shortly after, Mickens intercepted a pass, setting up another score for Connellsville, which pushed the lead to 28-6 at the end of the first half.

The Falcons’ scoring barrage continued into the second half. Matthews connected with Thomas on a 67-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 35-6. Connellsville’s defense forced a fumble, which Cooper Lembo recovered, and the Falcons capitalized with another touchdown from Mickens, making it 42-6 in the third quarter.

Lembo, recognized as one of the Falcons’ top defensive players, also contributes offensively, showcasing his versatility and heart. Coach McClean commended Lembo’s efforts, noting, “Cooper is undersized, but he plays with a big heart.”

As the game approached its conclusion, Connellsville added further to its lead with an interception return by Ryan Showman, which set up another touchdown run by Mickens for a 49-6 advantage. Uniontown managed to score a second touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Marcus Evans caught a swing pass from Hinzy and sprinted 36 yards for the score.

In the final moments, Connellsville substituted in younger players, giving them valuable experience. Cooper Wilson capped off the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run, with Alex Mejia successfully converting the extra point.

McClean reflected on the importance of this experience, stating, “We have had the opportunity too often this season to get some of the young bucks in and gain some experience. That goes a long way here for the next couple of years.”

Despite the defeat, Uniontown’s coach Tim Bukowski acknowledged the resilience of his team. “We were dominated on both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage. It’s frustrating for everybody, but it is what it is,” he remarked.

Overall, Connellsville’s performance in this historic rivalry showcased their strength and set a promising tone for the remainder of the season.