Battle for the bucket
Mickens runs wild as Falcons dominate line of scrimmage in victory
CONNELLSVILLE — In what is Fayette County’s oldest football rivalry, Connellsville went old school in a 56-12 non-conference victory over Uniontown on Friday night at Connellsville Stadium to ensure the “Old Coal Bucket” will remain in Connellsville for at least one year.
The Falcons, who were celebrating Homecoming, have won the last seven games in the series, and have a 41-36-9 lead after the 86th version of the rivalry.
Connellsville’s offensive line paved the way for Jayden Mickens, who gained 200 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns, and on the defensive side, the Red Raiders couldn’t get their offense going, as the Falcons shut down the run.
“Jayden ran the ball hard, but it starts with the line,” Connellsville coach Jace McClean said. “Our line, they played well tonight. They were pulling, picking up guys and opening up some holes for him (Mickens). He had some great cuts, along with Linkon Keller, blocking for him as the H-back.”
Connellsville’s passing game wasn’t too shabby either, as Caden Matthews was 5 of 10 for 156 yards and four touchdowns. Keller caught three passes for 47 yards and Christian Thomas had two receptions for 109 yards. Both of Thomas’ catches went for touchdowns.
“Whenever they stopped the run, Caden took charge, and was throwing the ball all over the place,” McClean said. “It was an all-around good team effort. 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 (2-7) scored on its opening possession when Cam Dugan took a jet sweep from quarterback Brayden Hinzy and threw a 19-yard pass for a touchdown to Taylor Galloway and a 6-0 lead at 9:13 of the first quarter.
Gavin Radford won a jump ball for a 46-yard reception that set-up the Red Raiders’ score. Hinzy was 8 of 16 for 101 yards. Radford led Uniontown in receiving with three receptions for 66 yards.
“Dugan made a nice play and Taylor had a nice catch here in the end zone,” Uniontown coach Tim Bukowski said. “We had the lead there, and you would think a little bit of momentum, but they go right down and score.”
The Falcons (2-7) responded to the score and scored on their first possession when Matthews found Keller with a deep ball in the middle of the end zone for a 31-yard score and Hunter Brown made the first of seven PATs for a 7-6 advantage at 6:39 of the opening period.
Connellsville’s second score was the result of some solid running from Mickens and a 15-yard facemask penalty on the Red Raiders.
Uniontown had the Falcons backed up to 2nd-and-30 at their own 10, but Mickens gained 29 yards on runs of 15 and 14 to set-up a 4th-and-1 at the 39. Matthews picked up the first down on a four-yard sneak, and the call moved Connellsville to the Red Raiders 42.
Thomas pulled in a short pass, broke a tackle and sprinted into the end zone for a 14-6 lead at 2:30 of the first quarter.
“We have them down there and it’s second-down-and-30, you have to cash in on that,” Bukowski said. “We got guys in the secondary and linebackers, and we just didn’t make plays. We were dominated on both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage. They get a crease, and they seem to go for big chunks.
“Offensively, we haven’t had a run game all season. We haven’t moved people off the line, and it’s frustrating for everybody, but it is what it is.”
Keller recovered his own onside kick and Mickens finished the drive with a one-yard run at 11:28 of the second quarter to extend the home team’s edge to 21-6.
Dugan returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield, but Mickens’ interception on Uniontown’s first play from scrimmage following the return and the Falcons built up a 28-6 lead at 1:31 of the second when Linkon tipped a touchdown pass to himself for a nine-yard score.
The Red Raiders had Connellsville facing a 3rd-and-seven from its own 33, but Matthews threw a 67-yard bomb to Thomas for a 35-6 advantage at 10:24 of the third period.
Uniontown drove to the home team’s 32 on its next possession, but the Falcons forced a fumble that Cooper Lembo recovered.
Matthews ran 23 yards to the Red Raiders 42, and after a penalty moved Connellsville back to the 45, Mickens sprinted up the middle for the touchdown and a 42-6 lead at 7:24 of the third.
Lembo is one of the Falcons’ top defensive players, and also plays on the offensive line against much-larger opposition, but McClean and staff have nothing but praise for the effort Lembo gives each and every week.
“Cooper is undersized, but he plays with a big heart,” McClean said. “He is my middle backer, and he will do anything that you ask.”
Connellsville’s Ryan Showman returned an interception to the Uniontown 25 before Mickens finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter and a 49-6 advantage.
The Red Raiders put a second touchdown up in the fourth quarter when Marcus Evans took a swing pass from Hinzy and raced 36 yards down the left side of the field for a touchdown with 7:45 remaining. Hinze threw a nine-yard pass to Radford for a first down on a 3rd-and-8 and completed a 22 yarder to Nate Hice before Evans scored.
The Falcons rested the majority of their starters after Mickens’ final touchdown, and Cooper Wilson scored on a five-yard run with 1:49 left. Alex Mejia converted on the extra point.
“We have had the opportunity too often this season to get some of the young bucks in and gain some experience,” McClean said. “That goes a long way here for the next couple of years.”
Tayshawn Jackson’s 44-yard run in the final 30 seconds moved Uniontown into Connellsville territory, but the Red Raiders weren’t able to punch in a third touchdown.