Joe Lovell
IN THE CROWD — Buckeye Local running back Noah Kourim looks for room against Union Local Friday night at World War II Memorial Stadium.
YORKVILLE — The Union Local Jets were ready for takeoff from the opening kick on Friday and it showed on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
Explosive plays that included a pick-six on the game’s opening drive and a punt return for a touchdown catapulted the Jets to a 48-7 victory over host Buckeye Local at World War II Memorial Stadium.
Just over 2 minutes into the action, Gannon Kerns picked off an errant pass and raced 44 yards to paydirt to get the ball rolling.
“Defense definitely set the tone,” UL coach Bernie Thompson said. “That was a great play by Gannon Kerns. It was one of those nights where we wanted to come out early because Buckeye Local is a tough, physical football team and we didn’t want to give them anything. If you let them hang around it can be a dangerous game. We wanted to start fast and we scored in all three phases of the game.”
Not only did the Jets score in all three phases but they did it in the first quarter.
Union Local was helped out by four Buckeye Local penalties for 40 yards on its first offensive possession of the game but ultimately quarterback Isaiah Tomolonis found Dre Saunders for a 5-yard touchdown to create a 14-0 advantage.
After a Panthers’ three-and-out, Saunders struck again. This time as a punt returner as he secured the kick and rumbled 47 yards for six to give UL a 22-0 upper hand with 1:11 to play in the opening stanza.
“Dre is a special player and we are thankful to have him,” Thompson said. “He’s dynamite with the ball in his hands and we try to give him the ball any way we can. That was a great punt return and he had a big receiving touchdown, as well.”
The next time the Jets touched the ball, it was Tomolonis’ legs that provided a spark as he reeled off a 46-yard run down the sideline that paved the way for a 15-yard TD run by Brody Perzanowski to create a 28-0 cushion.
Tomolonis finished with 91 yards rushing, 67 yards passing and three touchdowns before giving way to Colby Carpenter in the second half.
“Isaiah Tomolonis played his first game (Friday) and did exceptionally well,” Thompson said. “He did everything we asked him to do and we’re excited for him. Colby Carpenter played well again, too. We have to give credit up front though. Those guys work extremely hard and everything starts up front with those guys.”
The Panthers didn’t go away quietly, however. On the ensuing kickoff, Alex McDiffitt put on the afterburners and exploded down field for an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to get Buckeye on the scoreboard.
“That kick return sparked us a little bit,” Buckeye coach Jim Hoover said. “He’s definitely an athlete and that was a huge play.”
Tomolonis didn’t let the quick score bother him, though, as he finished the half with two more touchdown passes that included an 8 yarder to Logan Hess and a 35 yarder to Saunders to give UL a 42-7 halftime lead.
The Jets’ defensive performance matched that of the offense and special teams as it held the Panthers without a first down until the 8 minute mark of the third quarter.
“Our defense has had two good outings this season and we think our defense is going to lead us this year,” Thompson said. “Credit to them. They stepped up. Coach (Vaughn) Butler and Coach (Tyler) Grant have gotten those guys ready both weeks and it was another impressive showing (Friday).”
The final touchdown of the evening came from Carpenter as he fired a strike to Sean Alkire, who delivered a 46-yard TD jaunt down the Jets’ sideline for the finishing touches.
Buckeye Local will look to earn its first win next week as it takes on Shadyside at home.
“We had some internal issues that we had to take care of (Friday),” Hoover said. “That kind of put us behind the eight ball but Union Local is a good team and we have to get better. We have three winnable games coming up so we have to move forward and focus on that.”
Union Local 48, Buckeye Local 7
UL 22 20 0 6 — 48
BL 0 7 0 0 — 7
U — Kerns 44 interception return (Moore kick), 9:42
U — Saunders 5 pass from Tomolonis (Moore kick), 5:27
U — Saunders 47 punt return (Tomolonis run), 1:11
U — Perzanowski 15 run (pass failed), 10:38
B — McDiffitt 80 kickoff return (Boyce kick), 10:31
U — Hess 8 pass from Tomolonis (Tomolonis run), 7:18
U — Saunders 35 pass from Tomolonis (run failed), 3:08
Rushing: Union Local 21-159, Toohey 6-13, Tomolonis 4-91, Perzanowski 3-33, Saunders 1-20, Keller 3-(-4), Carpenter 2-8, Cross 2-(-2); Buckeye Local 28-77, Keyoski 4-2, Kourim 9-4, Luyster 1-3, McDiffitt 3-26, Takach 2-15, Ebright 1-7, Eastham 8-20.
Passing: Union Local 8-12-116, Tomolonis 5-8-67, Carpenter 3-4-49; Buckeye Local 3-10-5, Kourim 1-3-2, Ebright 2-6-3.
Receiving: Union Local 8-116, Schumacher 1-19, Saunders 2-40, Hess 1-8, Alkire 3-49; Buckeye Local 3-7, Luyster 1-2, Keyoski 1-2, McDiffitt 1-3.
First Downs: Union Local 10, Buckeye Local 2
Fumbles/Lost: Union Local 3/1, Buckeye Local 4-0.
Penalties/Yards: Union Local 5-30, Buckeye Local 9-70.
