Second-half surge not enough for Uniontown
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Uniontown’s Austin Williams (50) opens a hole in Trinity’s defense for teammate Lyric Ellis (1) during their game Friday at Bill Power Stadium.
Lyric Ellis dashes downfield for a large gain for the Red Raiders before being brought down by Trinity's Corey Hunsberger Friday at Bill Power Stadium.
Uniontown's Doug Lewis runs the ball during Friday's game against Trinity at Bill Power Satdium.
Uniontown's Pex Thomas (40) runs the ball several yards before being tied-up by a pair of Trinity defenders during Friday's game at Bill Power Stadium.
Uniontown quarterback Xavier Ellis (7) rushes for several yards before being tackled by Trinity's Robert West (21) during Friday's game at Bill Power Stadium.
Uniontown played a strong second half, but was not able to rally past Trinity as the Hillers picked up a 26-13 victory over the Red Raiders in Big Nine Conference play Friday night at Bill Power Stadium.
Down 19-0 at halftime, the Red Raiders scored on their first drive of the third quarter when Tito Cantalamessa pulled in an eight-yard touchdown reception from Xavier Ellis at 9:23. Flyzell Williams added the extra point to cut Trinity’s lead to 19-7.
The drive was set up after Lyric Ellis returned the kickoff 54 yards to the Hillers’ 36.
Doug Lewis’ 13-yard run took the ball to the 23, and Miles Jackson pulled in a 11-yard pass before the touchdown pass.
“We have to play better in the first half,” Uniontown coach John Fortugna said. “We outplayed them in the second half. This is a young team and we will grow.”
The Red Raiders (1-5, 1-6) held the Hillers (4-2, 4-3) on the next drive, got the ball back, but could not muster a scoring drive.
Trinity’s next possession result in a 26-7 lead after Patrick Frey scored on a one-yard run and Sam Trapuzzano added the PAT at 1:17 of the third.
“There are no ugly wins,” Trinity coach Ryan Coyle said. “We are in a battle for the playoffs and we have to get better. Uniontown is a decent team and they have some athletes. I wouldn’t say them spreading us out in the second half is what hurt us. They just made some play and we had some mental breakdowns.”
Uniontown cut the lead to 26-13 when Jacqui Taylor caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Ellis at 5:07 of the fourth. The two-point conversation attempt failed.
Taylor also had an interception and a fumble recovery on defense.
The key play on the drive saw Lyric Ellis throwing to his brother, Xavier, for a 25-yard gain.
Xavier Ellis was 10-of-23 for 113 yards and threw two touchdowns. He had 42 yards on 16 carries.
“Jacqui, Xavier and Lyric are great athletes and we are glad to have them on our team,” Fortugna said. “We have Xavier and Lyric coming back next year. They will continue to grow.”
Uniontown forced Trinity to punt on its next possession and had the ball at the Hillers’ 25 when time ran out.
Trinity came out of the gates running and scored on the first possession when Corey Hunsberger ran 35 yards to the end zone for a touchdown at 8:25 of the first and Trapuzzano added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
Hunsberger had 54 yards on five carries and also caught three passes for 76 yards.
Don McWreath scored from a yard out at 7:05 of the second for a 13-0 lead after the missed PAT, and Hunsberger pulled in a 21-yard pass for the score with 24 seconds remaining in the first half for a 19-0 lead.
“We tried to mix it up a little bit,” Coyle said. “We like to run the ball, but we throw it when necessary. It was a hard-fought game.”
Uniontown honors its senior’s next week when Thomas Jefferson comes to town.
“Our kids are not going to back down from any team,” Fortugna said. “We will be ready for Thomas Jefferson.”
The Hillers host West Mifflin and speedy running back Jimmy Wheeler.
“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot last week when we lost to Belle Vernon,” Coyle said. “We kind of got back in it with a win this week, but we better be ready to go.”
Uniontown honored its 1962 WPIAL Championship team at halftime. Several members of the team were in attendance.
Big Nine Conference
Trinity 7-12-7-0 — 26
Uniontown 0-0-7-6 — 13
First Quarter
T: Corey Hunsberger 35 run (Sam Trapuzzano kick), 8:25. (7-0)
Second Quarter
T: Don McWreath 1 run (kick failed), 7:05. (13-0)
T: Hunsberger 21 pass from McWreath (pass failed), :24.9. (19-0)
Third Quarter
U: Tito Cantalamessa 8 pass from Xavier Ellis (Flyzell Williams kick), 9:23. (19-7)
T: Patrick Frey 1 run (Trapuzzano kick), 1:17. (26-7)
Fourth Quarter
U: Jacqui Taylor 13 pass from Xavier Ellis (pass failed), 5:07. (26-13)
Records: Trinity (4-2, 4-3); Uniontown (1-5, 1-6).