Senior send-off
Uniontown flag football blanks Monessen
The senior members of the Uniontown flag football team had a proper send-off on Wednesday night at Bill Power Stadium in a 32-0 victory over Monessen in Section II play.
The Red Raiders improved to 6-6 in section and overall play, but will finish just outside the top four to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs. Uniontown is currently in sixth place with an away game at California (4-6, 4-6) scheduled for this evening at 5 p.m.
The Red Raiders had a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and an 18-0 halftime advantage. Uniontown outscored the Greyhounds, 14-0, in the second half.
“It was great to see Aierra (Jenkins) and Lyric (McLee) at home one more time,” Uniontown coach Jonathan Sakaguchi said. “Getting back to .500 makes things a lot better. I wish we were still in the playoff race, but things happen.
“This team is ahead of where they should’ve been, so next year makes me excited to see where the underclassmen will take this team.”
The senior duo of McLee and Jenkins hooked up eight times for 89 yards and two touchdown receptions. McLee found her classmate from 28 and 27 yards for both scores in the second frame. Jenkins also pulled in the Red Raiders’ lone two-point conversion.
McLee was 17 of 27 for 177 yards with three touchdowns. McLee had two carries for 85 yards.
Wilson had five carries for 124 yards and a 75-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.
Seveah Rishel intercepted a halfback toss and returned the pick 51 yards into the end zone.
Lannie Uluiakeba caught three passes for 40 yards and a 15-yard touchdown reception. Jenkins had two interceptions, and McLee, Uluiakeba added an interception.
Kaleeya Tyler led the home team in tackles with nine. She made three stops for loss and two pass breakups. Jenkins defended seven passes. Ayeesha Mathison added seven tackles, four pass breakups and pressured the quarterback twice.
UNIONTOWN 44, PETERS TOWNSHIP 14 — McLee threw five touchdown passes, three of which were pulled in by Jenkins, in a Section II road victory on Tuesday at Peters Township.
The Red Raiders had a 16-0 lead after the opening period, and a 22-7 advantage at halftime. Uniontown won the third quarter, 8-0, and the fourth, 14-7.
McLee was 22 of 31 for 265 yards. Jenkins tried her hand at quarterback, and was 3 for 8 for 56 yards.
Jenkins, who will continue her academic, basketball and flag football careers at PennWest California, caught 12 passes for 165 yards.
“It was great to have Aierra back in the lineup after she was out for the last couple of games due to an injury,” Sakaguchi said.
Aubree Long pulled in five receptions for 55 yards with a touchdown and two-point conversion. McLee caught two passes for 22 yards and added a two-point conversion. Uluiakeba had three receptions and found the end zone one time.
McLee gained 110 yards on five carries. Wilson had five attempts for 75 and A’Zhiya Belt rushed for 16 on two carries.
Tyler led the team in tackles with 10. She also broke up three pass attempts. Wilson had eight tackles and five hurries on the quarterback. McLee picked off three passes, including one that she returned 47 yards for a score. McLee defended seven passes and made five tackles. Jenkins had an interception, six pass breakups and four stops.
“I know I speak highly of the seniors, but when you have talented freshmen, like Imari (Wilson) and Aubree (Long), mixed with athletes like Kaleeya (Tyler) and Lannie (Uluiakeba), it makes the team that more exciting to watch,” Sakaguchi said.