Sep 13, 2002 By Jim Downey 3 min read

Uniontown will enter the second half of the Division I, Section 2 golf schedule next week with a two-match advantage by virtue of the Red Raiders’ 185-189 victory Thursday over Laurel Highlands at Duck Hollow Golf Club. Uniontown closes the first half of the season with a 7-0 schedule record, improving to 8-1 overall.

Laurel Highlands drops into a tie for second place. The Mustangs, 9-3 overall, are 5-2 along with Mount Pleasant. Albert Gallatin and Belle Vernon are a match off the pace at 4-3.

Both coaches were clairvoyant in that they predicted Uniontown to finish with 185.

“Yee-hah,” Uniontown coach Aaron Scott said after the scores were totaled. “I told my kids we had to shoot 185, no higher. We kept one 40, but that’s no problem. Everyone shot want I wanted them to.”

“They shot exactly what I told the team they would shoot before the match started,” Laurel Highlands coach Don Crawford said. “The No. 1-2-3 guys did exactly what I asked them to do. I wanted them to stay with their man, losing by no more than one stroke.”

As expected, the first foursome all had strong rounds of golf. Uniontown’s No. 1 and 2 men, Greg Franko and Zach Rockwell, both shot even-par rounds of 35. Brandon Katzeff, the Mustangs’ No. 1 man, was at even-par while Jarred Detweiler finished at 1-over.

Uniontown picked up a little ground even though the No. 3 man for both teams came in at 36. The Red Raiders’ Bobby Umbel and Brian John of Laurel Highlands matched strokes, though Jon Latsnic, Uniontown’s No. 4 man, finished with a 39 while Chris Bonchosky carded a 42. Bonchosky’s score was eventually thrown out.

With the match hanging in the balance, the final Uniontown twosome finished tied to give the Red Raiders the slim victory. The Red Raiders’ Jarrod Bartok’s score of 42 was discarded with Luke Dvorchak’s 40 closing the round. Cory Chrise and Chris Tressler, Laurel Highlands’ No. 5 and 6 men, both shot 41.

Obviously dejected by the loss, Crawford praised the play of both teams, though he acknowledged the Mustangs have a difficult road ahead to make the playoffs.

“The kids have nothing to be ashamed of. They lost to a very good team. They have no reason to hang their heads,” Crawford said.

“If we want to be in the playoffs, we’ll have to go 7-0. The loss to Mount Pleasant (at Duck Hollow) hurt us.”

The Mustangs begin the second half of the season next Tuesday on the road at Madison Golf Club against Yough.

Laurel Highlands will have to avenge its loss to Mount Pleasant on the road at Norvelt Golf Course.

Uniontown will have breathing room as it enters the second half of the season and given the highly competitive nature of the section, it’s an advantage well received by Scott and the Red Raiders.

“I’m proud of the kids. I’m excited. This is the best start we’ve had. Usually we’re chasing Laurel Highlands. We able to set the trend,” Scott said.

“Laurel Highlands played a very good match.

“They had a lot of putts lip out. I’d like to thank all the Uniontown and Laurel Highlands fans that showed up for support.”

Uniontown starts the second half at home with Belle Vernon, but must go on the road to play Connellsville, Yough, Southmoreland and Mount Pleasant.

“Everything else is away. It’ll be challenging for us,” Scott said.

“We’re experienced. Everyone’s played the courses once or twice.”