H-S Athlete of the Week: Marcus Evans, Uniontown
NAME: Marcus Evans
GRADE: Junior
SCHOOL: Uniontown
SPORT: Football
EVANS’ WEEK: The Red Raiders’ wide receiver and defensive end was all over the field in Uniontown’s 21-13 victory over Ambridge in non-conference play last Friday at Bill Power Stadium in Uniontown.
Evans scored two of his team’s three touchdowns and wreaked havoc for the Bridgers’ offensive linemen and quarterback Jaziah Smith.
Despite starting at wide receiver, Evans scored his first touchdown on a run, as he took a handoff from quarterback Brayden Hinzy and sprinted down the left side of the field and into the end zone from 59 yards out.
“I really didn’t expect to score a touchdown on that running play,” Evans said. “I thought they were going to get me down, but I was able to use a stiff-arm, break a few tackles and score. It was a good feeling.”
Evans was more comfortable on his second score, which was a 77-yard reception from Hinzy following an Ambridge touchdown to provide the home team with a 14-13 edge before a crowd that featured some of the finest athletes to ever don the maroon and white, as the school honored its 2026 inductees into the Uniontown Area High School Academics, Arts and Athletics Hall of Fame during the pregame festivities.
“That pass was to me, and we saw some daylight leading up to that play,” Evans said. “I had a much better feeling that I was going to score on that second touchdown than the first. I was glad to get to the end zone on both plays.”
Evans accumulated 156 yards from scrimmage after pulling in three receptions for 97 yards and rushing for 59 yards on his one carry, as the Red Raiders improved to 2-0 this season.
Uniontown head coach Tim Bukowski complimented Evans’ play during a postgame interview in the press box at Bill Power Stadium.
“Marcus was the MVP tonight, and we knew the talent was there,” Bukowski said. “He’s done everything we have asked of him, and he’s a big-time football player. He’s a college football player.”
NOT YOUR AVERAGE DL: At 6-4, Evans has the prototypical height to play on the defensive line, but his 190-pound frame may have some coaches and scouts curious as to why Bukowski and his staff have him take on players that most-likely have 100 pounds on him.
Those questions are usually answered on the first snap, as Evans uses his speed and strength to fly around tackles and get to the opponent’s quarterback and running backs.
The Red Raiders have been using Evans as a defensive end for the past two years. He wasn’t pleased with how his sophomore season turned out, but a solid offseason and the first part of this campaign has Uniontown football feeling pretty good about itself.
“We have been playing well so far, and after having a subpar season last year, we put a lot of focus into training this offseason to get better,” Evans said. “We are also playing together this year as a team. We didn’t do that last year, and that was a big factor into why we lost so many games. We still have a lot of work to do.”
HE PLAYS BASKETBALL, RIGHT?: Evans’ size and athletic ability has basketball coaches chasing him down, but he does not play for the Red Raiders, although most agree Uniontown head coach Rob Kezmarsky would find a place for him on the roster.
Evans understands and is flattered by the attention, but football is his top choice.
“I have been getting that question about basketball a lot, but I have to tell them, ‘No, I’m just focused on playing football right now,'” Evans said. “I have thought about competing in track & field, and even though I didn’t do it the last two years, I am looking forward to giving it a try. The track & field coaches have been asking me to compete, too.”
BIG CHALLENGE AHEAD: The Red Raiders are on the road in Week 3 against Southmoreland at Russ Grimm Field in Alverton.
The Scotties enter the non-conference game at 0-2, but there will be some extra incentive for both squads, as Bukowski was Southmoreland’s head coach two years ago and Uniontown wants to show the WPIAL that they have turned the corner.
Evans is eager for the opportunity, but he knows the Scotties will be ready to roll when the ball is kicked off at 7 p.m.
“We are excited for that game,” Evans said. “It is going to be a big one for a number of reasons.”
NOT THAT HOT: The temperatures over the summer in Southwestern Pennsylvania have been scorching for the area, but Evans is used to it, as he lived in Clearwater, Fla., until he entered Uniontown Area High School as a freshman.
Evans played football in second grade when he was in Florida, but didn’t participate after that until he entered ninth grade.
“I started to fall in love with football again when I came up here to Uniontown,” Evans said. “It was a hot summer, but it’s nothing like the weather in Florida.”