Thursday night special
Uniontown kicks off Week Seven a day early at Ringgold
Uniontown’s football team has one less day to bounce back from last week’s home loss to Albert Gallatin.
The Red Raiders will be one of 16 local teams in action during Week Seven but will kick off 24 hours earlier than the rest with a Thursday night clash against Ringgold at Joe Montana Stadium.
Uniontown coach Tim Bukowski isn’t complaining, though.
“We’re excited to be playing on Thursday night in front of the WPIAL,” Bukowski said. “We think it’s great for our team, and with it being our first year back in the WPIAL, we consider it an honor.”
The Class 4A Big Six Conference game kicks off at 7 p.m.
All other area teams have 7 p.m. kickoffs on Friday, including two more Big Six games with Laurel Highlands (0-1, 0-6) traveling to Chartiers Valley (0-1, 2-4) and Albert Gallating hosting first-place South Fayette (1-0, 5-1).
In the Class 5A Big East Conference, Connellsville (0-2, 3-3) is at Gateway (1-1, 3-3).
In the Class 3A Interstate Conference, local teams Mount Pleasant (1-1, 3-3) and Belle Vernon (2-0, 5-1) meet at James Weir Stadium, affectionately known as “The Beach” with its gold turf, while surprising Waynesburg Central (2-1, 5-1) is at Greensburg Salem (0-3, 0-6).
Coach Joe Kuhns’ Raiders, whose only loss came in a close, 38-33 battle at undefeated Elizabeth Forward, and coach Scott Bryer’s Leopards, who have won five in a row after falling to Class 5A power Thomas Jefferson in their opener, are tied for the second-best overall record among area teams.
The lone 6-0 team remaining among the local group is Beth-Center which is tied with California (4-2) atop the Class A Tri-County South Conference standings at 3-0. Coach Tim Trump’s Bulldogs travel to Carmichaels (0-3, 1-5) while coach Ed Woods’ Trojans host West Greene (1-2, 2-4).
Also in TCS play, Jefferson-Morgan (1-2, 15) hosts Avella (2-1, 3-3) and Mapletown (0-3, 0-6) is at Frazier (2-1, 3-3). The Commodores and Eagles are tied for third place.
In the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, Brownsville (0-3, 0-6) takes to the road to play Steel Valley (2-0, 4-2).
The only non-conference game of the week has Southmoreland (2-4) facing a tough Class 3A road test at Highlands (5-1).
Ringgold is coming off a 35-0 win at Laurel Highlands in which freshman quarterback Jase Trumpe threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns, all to receivers Demetri Lowe (4 receptions for 117 yards and both TDs) and Dennis Hawkins III (3-109).
“Ringgold has a lot of athletes that can make big plays, especially Lowe and Hawkins,” Bukowski said. “So we have to limit their big-play potential.”
The Red Raiders have their share of offensive weapons as well, including quarterback Brayden Hinzy and wide receiver Marcus Evans, although they were held in check for the most part in the 35-12 loss to AG.
“Offensively, we have to generate more of a run game so we aren’t so predictable,” Bukowski said. “Our line has to match their line and get some push.”
A win would pull Uniontown into the middle of the playoff race, while a Ringgold victory would assure that the Rams would end the week in a two-way tie for first place.
“It’s a big conference game for both teams,” Bukowski said, “and we look forward to the challenge.”