By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Ben Wade ran 14 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime to lift Union City Middle School to a thrilling 28-22 victory at Huntingdon Thursday night.
The win kept the Tornadoes unbeaten with their third triumph in as many starts.
The deciding score was Wade’s second of the two-overtime period as he darted 10 yards to paydirt in the first OT. Wade finished the night with 69 yards rushing on 11 carries and completed a pass to Copeland Chism for 16 yards.
Tayehari Jones had a huge game on both sides of the ball for the Purple and Gold. Defensively, he was in on a team-high 10 tackles with four forced fumbles and a 99-yard interception return for a TD. As a running back, Jones rushed for 81 yards on 10 carries and was responsible for a pair of two-point conversions — one in the first overtime that helped force a second extra session.
Aiden Reid had a strong showing with nine tackles for the victors, while Kelan Roberson recorded eight stops. Jack Harris, Logan Dawkins, Davis Hayes and Chism all registered six tackles apiece – two of Chism’s being for lost yardage.
Gavin Morgan was a big contributor too, with three tackles behind the line of scrimmage and a fumble recovery.
Union City will host Gibson County next Thursday.
In other fall sports results involving UC entries on Thursday:
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Four boys medal at Milan
A large field was split into a pair of boys’ and two girls’ races, with the UC boys posting a good showing that included four Top 10 runners on the 1.5-mile course.
Braydon Chism was third overall (10:54) to lead a strong Tornado contingent of Top 10 finishers. Grant Sinclair (11:06) was fifth, Andrew Beard (11:08) placed seventh and Paul Martin Tohn (11:21) came in 10th.
Other Union City boys runners in the first race were Cutler Hall (16:10), Cole Gurley (16:20) and Tabor Hall (21:04).
Times in a competitive second race for the Twister boys included Rushdon Howell (11:04), Woodrow McKinnis (11:06), Owen Waggoner (11:30), Harrison Gray (13:30), Landon McAdams (14:07), Brandt Huffstutter (16:30) and Foster Rodgers (17:10).
In the girls’ first race, times included Briley Kate McKinney (12:48), Rori Howell (15:18), Zoe Cox (17:05) and Lily Surr (17:17).
UC finishers in the second girls’ race were Hannah Hall (14:21), Lexi Petty (14:55), Myranda Parr (15:40), Dani Frankum (16:06), Jamya Fair (16:07), Davey Frankum (16:39) and Lennon Bing (18:01).
No team awards were given in the meet.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Halls 3, UC 0
The Lady Tornadoes saw their five-match winning streak halted and suffered their first district loss on the road against a Tiger program that made the state tournament and won two matches there last season.
Halls won Thursday 25-17, 25-12 and 25-15.
Anna Lynn Cheatham had six kills, while Marlee Johnson, Kaigan Davis and Abby Suiter were all credited with five each for Union City.
Halls also won the jayvee match, 25-12 and 25-15.
Cheatham, Lainey Barker, Emma Powell and Morgan Palmer provided solid defensive cover for the Lady Twisters.
Now 6-2 overall and 4-1 in league play, UC will face West Carroll on Tuesday of next week and Lake County Thursday.