WPIAL approves Mickens’ eligibility to play for Uniontown
Uniontown football coach Tim Bukowski received some exciting news on Monday at the monthly WPIAL board of directors meeting.
District officials approved the eligibility of Jackson Mickens after the junior moved from Geibel Catholic to Uniontown.
The Division I prospect, who has offers from Akron, Miami (Ohio), Sacramento State, Middle Tennessee State and Incarnate Word, was the Class 3A Interstate Conference All-Purpose Player of the Year last season as a running back and outside linebacker.
Mickens gained 442 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns while playing for Southmoreland. He caught six passes for 80 yards and led the Scotties with 11 touchdowns. Mickens recorded 47 tackles, including 17 ½ for a loss, and led the team in sacks with nine. He had an interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Mickens played for Southmoreland while attending Geibel because the Gators don’t field a football team.
The WPIAL board of directors held an eligibility hearing for Mickens, which Bukowski attended, and the district officials gave the thumbs up for Mickens to be eligible to play for the Red Raiders.
“That was the first hearing I ever attended in 35 years of coaching,” Bukowski said. “I’m glad the board saw Jackson’s reasons for the move were legitimate. It is expensive to attend private school. His sister had gone to Geibel, but left for a similar reason.”
Bukowski has first-hand experience with Mickens, as he was the head coach of the Scotties two years ago, and is glad to have him on his side as Uniontown returns to the WPIAL this season after playing an independent schedule the last five years.
The Red Raiders are in Section 3-4A with Fayette County rivals Albert Gallatin and Laurel Highlands, along with Chartiers Valley, Ringgold and South Fayette.
“Jackson is a great young man and student,” Bukowski said. “He covers all the bases. My staff and I had him when he was a freshman. This is good news for our program.”
Bukowski, who is in his second season at Uniontown, was pleased with the progress the team has made in the offseason prior to Mickens being approved to play this year.
“There have been major improvements in the offseason,” Bukowski said. “We hired a strength coach, Jorge Frezzell, and he has done a great job in the weight room. He really pushes these kids, plus he is a younger guy who brings excitement to the room. We are way ahead of where we were last year. I believe us returning to the WPIAL increased excitement and interest.”
While the enthusiasm is high, Bukowski has been around coaching long enough to realize that programs are not rebuilt overnight, and even though he has help coming in, the Red Raiders are still a young squad.
“We still have a very young team, and building our offensive line is one of our biggest concerns,” Bukowski said. “We lost one of our top lineman in Kylar Tibbe, who went to Kiski Prep. We have a lot of big young guys, but they haven’t been punched in the mouth yet. We have hung in there with WPIAL teams in seven-on-seven, but blocking and tackling is still what wins and loses games.”
The WPIAL board of directors ruled Giovanni Guerriere eligible to participate in athletics this season. Guerriere was a member of the Laurel Highlands football team last year, but will play for Albert Gallatin this campaign. The ruling could lead to hearings if applicable.