Colonials flex(bone) their muscles

Oct 3, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

The flexbone offense has become rare in modern football, but Albert Gallatin has perfected the scheme that is used to benefit smaller teams against larger opponents, especially in the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Colonials coach Drew Dindl, who graduated from Albert Gallatin in 2003, returned home in 2018 and brought the flexbone offense with him.

The Colonials found success after dropping out of the WPIAL and playing as independent, which culminated in an undefeated season last year.

Albert Gallatin played its first conference game in seven years on Friday night, and the flexbone worked to a T in a 35-12 victory over Uniontown in Class 4A Big Six Conference play at Bill Power Stadium.

The Red Raiders also returned to conference action after playing an independent schedule the past five years.

Uniontown (0-1, 3-3) came into Friday’s contest off a 62-0 victory over Yough in Week 5. The Red Raiders were hoping the duo of quarterback Brayden Hinzy and wide receiver Marcus Evans would continue their strong season against the Colonials, but Dindl’s defense rose to the occasion, as Hinzy was 2 of 14 for 23 yards and Evans was held without a reception.

“We had been worried about Evans all week, and he’s a special player, but our defensive coordinator, Coach (Danny) Morgan, especially the last two weeks, has gotten our defense going and they are playing really well,” Dindl said. “We had an idea they would try to use Evans in a wildcat package, and we prepared for that. I thought our kids handled that well.”

Evans gained 31 yards on five carries in the wildcat, but the Red Raiders could only muster 71 total yards of offense.

“They did a good job of keeping Marcus in check, but we struggled running the football and everybody knows it,” Uniontown coach Tim Bukowski said. “Until we can run the ball, they are going to protect the pass.”

Albert Gallatin (1-0, 3-3) was led by quarterback Bronx Jamison, who gained 96 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown. The senior was 2 of 3 for 59 yards and a touchdown. Both completions were pulled in by Bentley Swaney, who had three trips to the end zone.

Senior Roman Smith rushed for 95 yards on 18 attempts and scored a touchdown.

Dindl, who improved to 7-0 against Uniontown, was glad to see Swaney reach the end zone multiple times.

“We tell our kids that ‘everyone is going to have their night,’ and Bentley is coming off an injury and starting to shine,” Dindl said. “He had a big game last week, too, and they all do it for each other. That’s what this offense is about, and you can’t be selfish.”

The Colonials forced the Red Raiders into a three-and-out on their first drive before Jamison scored on an eight-yard run with 6:39 remaining in the opening quarter. Eli Fisher recorded the first of five PATs for a 7-0 lead.

Albert Gallatin forced another Uniontown punt, but the Red Raiders forced a turnover on downs when the Colonials attempted a fourth-down conversion inside their own 25.

Albert Gallatin’s decision to avoid punting didn’t hurt Dindl’s squad for the majority of the game, but Uniontown capitalized on a short field for its first score when Hinzy completed a seven-yard pass to Taylor Galloway to cut the deficit to 7-6 with 7:04 left in the second quarter after the home team missed the extra point.

“That first one we didn’t get on the fourth-down conversion was an emotional call,” Dindl said. “I was a little upset we didn’t get that one, but I might have let my emotions get the best of me. Anytime we are short, we think we can get it on fourth down.”

Gavin Radford’s interception put the Red Raiders inside Colonial territory, but the visitors forced a turnover on downs and extended their advantage to 14-6 at the half when Smith scored on a one-yard run with six seconds left in the second quarter.

“We had a little bit of momentum after the interception,” Bukowski said. “We called the trick play, it’s wide open, and we don’t execute. Our offensive line messed up on that.

“We had two big stops in the first half on fourth down when they went for it, but the offense didn’t cash in. Taylor (Galloway) was by himself on that trick play with (Cam) Dugan. We were a little off tonight, and it was just a bad performance overall. They run their offensive well, but we helped them along.”

Bukowski was pleased with senior defensive lineman Taeshaun Lewis, who didn’t give Albert Gallatin any room to run.

“I want to point Taeshaun Lewis out,” Bukowski said. “He’s a senior, and I thought he was dominant on the defensive line. He played his best game, and I’m proud of him. He’s had some injuries, his shoulder was hurt, but he dominated tonight.”

Swaney pulled in a 38-yard reception prior to scoring on a 12-yard run with 1:53 left in the third period for a 21-6 lead.

Galloway, who caught both of Hinzy’s completions, returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to Albert Gallatin’s 42, but a three-and-out forced another punt and the Colonials went into the fourth quarter with possession.

Swaney recorded his second rushing touchdown on a 13-yard run with 8:48 left in the final frame before catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jamison with 1:11 remaining.

Radford fielded the kickoff on a bounce and sprinted down the right sideline for a 72-yard touchdown reception with 1:01 left.

Uniontown has a short week, as it travels to Monongahela for a Thursday night matchup at Ringgold (1-0, 3-3).

Albert Gallatin hosts South Fayette (1-0, 5-1) in Week 7 on Friday.

“It’s going to be a battle, and we know they are a tough team, but that’s why you play the game,” Dindl said.