Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Turnovers the difference in Unionville win
WEST GROVE >> Looking at the stat sheet, Saturday’s non-league game between Unionville and Avon Grove couldn’t have been a whole lot closer. Just seven yards separated the two teams in total offense (314-307), and two first downs. Both teams ran the ball effectively, and passed efficiently.
But Unionville held a slight advantage in one key statistic — turnovers. The Indians (5-4) picked off two passes in the game, each leading to a score, and coughed it up just once, very early in the game. That 2-1 margin led to a 31-23 victory over the Red Devils (1-8), who were driving for the potential tying score into the final two minutes.
“If you look at the schedule Avon Grove plays, it is brutal,” said Unionville coach Pat Clark. “They are a far better team than their record indicates, and we had to come out here playing our best if we were going to come out with a win. We got a few key stops and the picks, and managed to win. I’m proud of these kids.”
The first big break in the game fell to the Red Devils, when Unionville fumbled the opening kick-off. Three plays and a penalty later, and Sean Glatts ran it in from 11 yards for a 7-0 AG lead.
Undaunted, Unionville answered right back, needing just three plays and a penalty to cover 70 yards, a scoring drive capped with a 21-yard scoring strike from Blake Charlton to Stefan Twombly.
Charlton (7 of 12, 98 yards) didn’t throw the ball a ton in the game, but two of his seven completions went for scores to Twombly (4 receptions, 53 yards)
“Stefan is a great athlete,” said Charlton. “I know I can just put it up there for him on a one-on-one and I know he’s going to come down with it.”
Twombly also came up with the first big interception for Unionville on the afternoon. Up 21-10 just before the half, Avon Grove was moving the ball, and tried a little trickery, going for a hook and ladder play. But the initial pass sailed a little high, and was tipped into the air, where, Twombly pulled it in. The pick led to a field goal and a 24-10 halftime lead for the Indians.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Twombly. “It turned out to be a pretty big play for us. We’re on a good track right now. We’re rolling pretty good. We just have to keep it rolling into Districts.”
Avon Grove got the ball first in the second half, and after five straight runs from Colby Riddell (15 carries, 88 yards) and Sean Glatts (10 for 53), were deep in Avon Grove territory when Unionville saw another interception waved off on a flag. Avon Grove took advantage, with a touchdown from Riddell two plays later.
Connor Schilling (22 carries, 139 yards) bumped the lead back to 14 with a 22 yard run, and Declan Boyle thwarted another AG drive with an interception in the end zone, killing a 60 yard march from the Red Devils. The game went to the final period with the score 31-17.
The Red Devils commanded the fourth period, making it a onescore game on a 65-yard connection between JT McDonald and Zach Brown, then stopped the Indians short on a fourth and three for one last ditch effort to tie the game. But a fourth and two pass fell harmlessly to the ground and the Indians were able to run out the clock.
“Every single team we play this year is a district qualifier,” said Avon Grove coach Harry O’Neill. “Our young guys are coming along. The last three weeks I thought we’ve started to execute pretty well. I couldn’t ask for more than the effort these guys are giving every week. A couple of penalties really hurt, and a couple turnovers. But the good followed by the bad, Jekyll and Hyde has been us all year.”
At 5-4, the Indians are ranked 9th in District 1, class 5A. A win next week, and Unionville could be hosting at least a round of the playoffs.
“I think our success has led to expectations for us, but, every year, it’s a new crop of kids,” said Clark. “Like most teams, we’ve dealt with some injuries, and waited for our younger guys to come around. I think those young guys are getting there, and we’re playing pretty well. We have one more home game, senior night against Sun Valley. Hopefully we get a win there, and maybe host a playoff game. Then we’ll see what happens.”