Rivalry gauntlet
Connellsville hosts Uniontown in another Fayette County showdown
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
Another week of high school football, another huge rivalry game for Connellsville.
Week Four of the season brings a fourth consecutive emotional game against a nearby opponent for the Falcons while 11 other local teams open conference play, including unbeaten Waynesburg Central and Beth-Center.
After hosting Southmoreland in the newly created “Battle of 119” (a 21-15 win) in its opener and traveling to Fayette County rivals Albert Gallatin (a 33-28 loss) in Week Two and Laurel Highlands (a 28-14 win) in Week Three, now it’s Uniontown on tap for Connellsville at Falcon Stadium with the winner claiming the “Coal Bucket” traveling trophy.
“It’s not easy,” Falcons coach Jace McClean said when asked about having to get his team up for yet another local battle. “But that’s why we got back in the WPIAL. This is the main reason, playing the local teams and the rivalry, the fans.”
Connellsville’s first three games each had fans flocking to the stadiums.
“It was electric up in the crowd,” McClean said after the win over LH at Mustang Field. “We have a great student section that followed us today. Hat’s off to them, too.”
According to Connellsville senior running back Linkon Keller, the Falcons had prepared for the stretch of rivalries long beforehand.
“We know a rivalry game is going to be a little more physical, but that just makes it more fun,” said Keller, who scored all four of his team’s touchdowns in the win over the Mustangs. “In the offseason we knew the schedule so we prepared. When it came to be in the season we just watched film on each team so we know what to expect and adjust to that so we’re ready.
“I think our team does a good job, week in, week out, of knowing what we need to do. We come prepared and hyped up to the same level for each one of these.”
The Red Raiders, like the Falcons, come into the game with a 2-1 record and have also been in a couple rivalry matchups. Uniontown rolled past Brownsville at Redstone Field in its opener, 47-0, and fell to Southmoreland, 42-21 last week. Tim Bukowski is in his second year at Uniontown after previously coaching the Scotties.
The Red Raiders defeated Ambridge at Bill Power Stadium in Week Two, 21-13.
“We’re looking to rebound from our first loss,” Bukowski said. “We have some guys injured and are hoping to get a few back for Friday.”
The game will pit the area’s two leaders in touchdown passes as Brayden Hinzy of Uniontown and Jeffrey Nicholson of Connellsville have each tossed seven.
While Keller is the Falcons’ biggest offensive threat (seven touchdowns), wide receiver Marcus Evan fills that role for the Red Raiders (six touchdowns).
Bukowski would like his team to be more effective on the ground, however.
“We have to get the run game going to complement what we are doing through the air,” Bukowski said. “Defensively, we have to try and slow down Keller.”
Laurel Highlands (0-3) and Albert Gallatin (1-2) continue their non-conference slate with road games. The Mustangs travel to South Park (0-3) while the Colonials are at Yough (0-3).
Brownsville (0-3) begins Class 2A Allegheny play at home against Apollo Ridge (2-1).
In the Class A Tri-County South, the Bulldogs (3-0) travel to Avella (1-2), California (1-2) hosts Carmichaels (1-2), Jefferson-Morgan (0-3) is at Frazier (1-2) and West Greene (1-2) goes to Mapletown (0-3).
In the Class 3A Interstate, Waynesburg (3-0) faces a stiff challenge if it wants to go to 4-0 with a game at Elizabeth Forward (3-0), Southmoreland (1-2) is at Greensburg Salem (0-3) and Mount Pleasant (2-1) hosts Derry (2-1).
Belle Vernon (2-1) plays unbeaten Burrell (3-0) at James Weir Stadium in its final non-conference meeting before opening Interstate play next week at home against Greensburg Salem.
All games kickoff at 7 p.m.