Jack of all trades
Evans’ big plays key in Uniontown victory over Ambridge
If a question arose to use a phrase that described what stood out in Friday night’s non-section game between Uniontown and Ambridge at Bill Power Stadium, it would be best to borrow one that was coined so frequently by Mike Tomlin it became universal among coaches and media: “Splash plays.”
There were many in the Red Raiders’ 21-13 victory over the Bridgers on an evening when the school honored its 2026 inductees into the Uniontown Area High School Academics, Arts and Athletics Hall of Fame prior to kickoff.
Playing in front of some of the finest athletes to ever don the maroon and white, Uniontown’s Marcus Evans had plenty of “splash plays,” which would have been used if the former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach was addressing reporters following the game.
Red Raiders head coach Tim Bukowski didn’t use a “Tomlinism,” but he agreed that Evans was the top player on the field in helping to lead his team to a 2-0 record this season.
“Marcus was the MVP tonight, and we knew the talent was there,” Bukowski said. “He’s done everything we asked, and he’s a big-time football player. He’s a college football player.”
While proud of the win, Bukowski doesn’t want his team to rest on their laurels, and will have his players back at practice on Monday.
“We will be on the field Monday and fix their mistakes, but we are going to let these guys enjoy it over the weekend,” Bukowski said. “They worked hard and deserved this win.”
After a quick-moving first quarter, which ended with Ambridge (1-1) in possession, Uniontown forced a punt and Evans took a handoff from Brayden Hinzy and sprinted 59 yards into the end zone with 8:41 remaining before halftime. Hunter Smithburger tacked on his first of three PATs for a 7-0 lead.
The Bridgers’ Shamar Underwood, who led the game in rushing with 226 yards on 24 carries, scored on a three-yard run and Aaron Scheib tied the game with the extra point with 3:55 left in the second period.
Underwood had the go-ahead touchdown on a 67-yard run at 6:05 of the third, but it took the Red Raiders just two plays to regain the advantage when Hinzy found Evans for a 77-yard touchdown reception and a 14-13 edge with 5:02 left in the third.
Evans pulled in three passes for 97 yards and his lone rushing attempt went for a score to total 156 yards from scrimmage. Uniontown had 254 total yards. Hinzy was 6 of 11 for 102 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
“Tonight was pretty good,” Evans said. “I prayed prior to tonight’s game, so I just give all glory to God. I worked hard this offseason because I wasn’t too proud of how last season went, and it is paying off so far, but I know I have to keep working. It is a good feeling to be 2-0 though.”
While Evans was the player of the game, the play of the game went to teammate Tayshawn Jackson, who returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown at 10:28 of the fourth quarter for a 21-13 lead.
Bringing Underwood down was definitely a chore for Uniontown, but the amount of hits he was taking, plus playing on defense, appeared to tire the 5-10, 205-pound senior, who had 236 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Ambridge’s 40-14 win over Quaker Valley in Week 1, and when the Bridgers gave him a play off, the Red Raiders capitalized with yet another “splash play.”
Ambridge quarterback Jaziah Smith took off on a run to the Uniontown 36, but a hit from David Settles knocked the ball out of Smith’s hand, and Jackson scooped it up at the Red Raiders’ 41 and raced to the end zone.
Jackson and Settles weren’t the only Uniontown defensive players to stand out, as Evans used his height and quickness to beat Ambridge’s offensive line and get to, not only Underwood, but Smith when Bridgers head coach Dan Bradley attempted to keep the Red Raiders’ defense honest.
As good as Underwood was, Uniontown gained 10 more yards from scrimmage than Ambridge, who had 244. Jackson rushed for 39 yards on seven carries, and Michael Thomas gained 32 on eight attempts.
The Red Raiders had a strong opening drive, but the Bridgers forced a field goal attempt from 42 yards that was no good.
Uniontown, who was without starters Cam Dugan and Jackson Mickens, lost Taylor Galloway, who is capable of creating “splash plays” on offense and defense, with an injury on the first drive.
Bukowski was pleased with his team’s effort in continuing to battle despite the injuries to several key starters.
“We fought through some adversity,” Bukowski said. “We lost Taylor Galloway the first series, and he is a two-way player, but we had people step up in every position. We had a freshman middle linebacker, who I thought played well, and Steele Stash was all over the field.”
The Red Raiders are at Southmoreland (1-1) in Week 3 on Sept. 11. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.