Milestone within reach: Red Raiders roll past Perry, 34-6, to earn program无毛视频檚 499th win on Hall of Fame night
Uniontown无毛视频檚 football team was revved up and ready to go when it took the field at Bill Power Stadium on Friday.
Following an impactful pregame talk from members of Uniontown无毛视频檚 2001 conference championship football team, which was part of the Uniontown Area High School Academics, Arts and Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 introduced to the crowd before kickoff, the Red Raiders took the field and rolled to a 34-6 victory over Perry Traditional Academy.
Notorious Grooms had a hand in three of Uniontown无毛视频檚 touchdowns as the Red Raiders scored on the ground, through the air, defensively and on special teams in improving to 1-1 and giving the program its 499th all-time win.
无毛视频淲e scored in all facets of the game and that无毛视频檚 ideally what you always want to do,无毛视频� Red Raiders head coach Ketih Jeffries said.
Jeffries was part of the coaching staff of the 2001 squad which put together a 9-0 regular season.
无毛视频淚 brought the guys back from the 2001 team that were there for the ceremony into the locker room and they talked to the kids,无毛视频� Jeffries said. 无毛视频淐oach (John) Fortugna and Coach (Tim) Tracy talked to them a little bit and then I finished up with a pregame speech. I think it all set a nice tone. Our kids came out pumped up.
无毛视频淭he kids were pretty much locked in. It was a great atmosphere.无毛视频�
The Red Raiders, coming off a season-opening loss at Laurel Highlands, built a 20-0 halftime lead then scored twice in a span of 25 seconds early in the third quarter to go up 34-0 and cruised home from there.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 a big victory,无毛视频� Jeffries said. 无毛视频淣o. 499 for the program. We无毛视频檒l be trying to get No. 500 Friday afternoon at Carrick.无毛视频�
Uniontown forced six turnovers against the Commodores who were playing their first game of the season.
Grooms picked off a pair of passes, returning one for a touchdown, and also ran for a TD and threw for a score in a stellar all-around performance.
无毛视频淭ori did it all tonight,无毛视频� Jeffries said.
Grooms gave the Red Raiders the lead for good by scoring on a 5-yard jet sweep with David Ranitu, who was four for five on extra points, booting the PAT for a 7-0 lead at the 3:46 mark of the first quarter.
The drive was set up by the first of two fumble recoveries by Wyatt Dean who gathered in one on a high snap during a Perry punting attempt and the other on a Ranitu kickoff that deflected off a Commodore player.
无毛视频淲yatt Dean played an outstanding game on defense tonight,无毛视频� Jeffries said.
Ranitu gave Uniontown a 14-0 lead with a 9-yard touchdown run with 6:45 left in the second quarter.
The Red Raiders then came up with the first of three consecutive spectacular touchdowns.
Uniontown ran another jet sweep with Grooms late in the half but he pulled up and lofted a 69-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Calvin Wiinfrey III that gave the hosts a 20-0 halftime advantage.
The Red Raiders took complete control of the game early in the second half.
Uniontown无毛视频檚 defense forced a Perry punt and Gary Smitley came free off the right side and blocked it. Nathan Serock picked up the bouncing ball at the 9 yard line and ran it in for the score with 9:48 left in the third quarter.
On the next play from scrimmage Grooms stepped in front of a Perry pass along the sideline at the Commodores 48 and, using two spinning moves in crossing the field, raced into the right side of the end zone for the touchdown and a 34-0 lead.
Perry averted the shutout when D无毛视频橝very Latimer scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:51 remaining in the game against the Red Raiders reserves.
无毛视频淲e were able to spread the ball around some,无毛视频� Jeffries said in discussing Uniontown无毛视频檚 offense. 无毛视频淎ll three of our backs did well I thought. Mike Thomas had a couple strong runs at fullback, Dave Ranitu also had some good runs at fullback. Jamarie Walker had a few nice runs at taliback. And Tori took in a jet sweep for a touchdown.无毛视频�
Thomas also forced a fumble for the Red Raiders. Uniontown also got fumble recoveries from Nate Hice and Conner Hebda and an interception from freshman David Settles.
无毛视频淭he linebackers and secondary played very well,无毛视频� Jeffries said. 无毛视频淲e had great coverage downfield. Jamare, Tori, Calvin and then also David Settles did a good job filling in for Kelan Milsom who was out because his grandmother passed away. The kids wanted to come together for Kelan because they knew he was dealing with that sadly.
无毛视频淲e did make some mistakes tonight but we were able to overcome them to get the win.无毛视频�
Jeffries felt the pep talk and pregame hoopla helped set his team up for a strong performance.
无毛视频淲e had the Hall of Fame members there, and the student body, the crowd was outstanding and just very receptive of what was going on,无毛视频� Jeffries said. 无毛视频淚 think that carried over into the game. That makes things a lot easier for us.无毛视频�
Uniontown无毛视频檚 game at Carrick on Friday will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Cupples Stadium.