By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A 49-0 Senior Night drubbing of outclassed Liberty Tech was just what Union City needed.
And that includes the entire student body and community, in addition to the Golden Tornado football program, according to UC head coach Nick Markle.
“I believe it was therapy for everybody, our kids, our school, and our town and surrounding area,” Markle said after his club dominated the visiting Crusaders Friday. “With all the stuff our people have had to deal with this week, this little two-hour mental break was crucial for healing, I think.
“We were able to come out and celebrate our seniors, to listen to and watch the band, and to lean on each other a little. I do believe it’s crucial in the healing process to have a little bit of normalcy.”
Union City players and cheerleaders wore pink stickers and hairbows in honor and memory of senior Julianne Becton, who tragically died in an auto accident last Sunday. Becton’s funeral was held Thursday, with a large number of students and many from the community mourning her passing and offering her family emotional and mental support.
The Tornadoes then dominated a Liberty program that has fallen off drastically after playing in the Class 3A state championship game just five years ago.
Kyrell Littleton ran for 127 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries, Tayehari Jones had a couple of TD runs, and Kolby Craig returned one of two Twister interceptions 41 yards to paydirt as UC did all its scoring in the first half.
The Tornado defense had 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Liberty ended up minus-50 in rushing yards and minus-17 all totaled for the game. The Crusaders struggled mightily with the simple center-quarterback exchange, fumbling 12 times in the contest.
The final two quarters of the mercy-rule contest were reduced to eight minutes each with a running clock and the Tornadoes playing reserves the entire way.
“We were very business-like, in a good way,” Markle continued. “We talk all the time about football being a business, and on Friday nights, we get paid. Tonight was an excellent example of that.
“We don’t ever want to play down to lesser talent. We didn’t tonight. We were focused, we ran the ball well and got a lot of hats around the ball on defense.
“And I was glad to get the young guys in and get a glimpse into our future. They work hard during the week to get better and make our team get better. And we had some of them make plays when they were in there.”
Hayden Kennedy and freshman Jack Harris each had three tackles for lost yards and were in on six total stops. Steady linebacker Gage Smith had a team-high seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Jamal Cox, Tucker Davis and Corben Avery recorded quarterback sacks, and Jones came up with a second-half interception.
Littleton (45 yards) and Jones (4 yards) ran for TDs on UC’s first two snaps of the game. Littleton then added scoring jaunts of 25, 13 and 10 yards and had a 60-yard touchdown romp brought back due to penalty.
Jones’ 48-yard TD dash and Craig’s aforementioned interception return capped the Twisters’ first-half outburst with Miguel Sanchez booting the last of his seven consecutive PATs.
Union City will now turn its attention to its regular season finale – a critical Region 7-2A game at eighth-ranked Huntingdon. The Mustangs whipped Class 1A No. 1 Peabody 49-28 Friday, ending the Tide’s 44-game winning streak that was the second-longest in the nation.
A win would give the Tornadoes second place in the region and a first-round home playoff game. A loss would relegate UC to third place and send the Twisters to Memphis for a Round 1 postseason game.
“It’s a huge game for us,” Markle concluded.” I usually give our kids 24 hours after a game to celebrate or move on. I told them they get just 12 hours this week. We have to have a great week of preparation… and that means everyone.
“What Huntingdon does with their schemes, they do very well. We’ll have to match their intensity and their toughness. The toughest team will certainly win.”
Kickoff is set for Paul Ward Stadium at 7 p.m.
UNION CITY 49 LIBERTY TECH 0
Liberty Tech 0 0 0 0 — 0
Union City 21 28 0 0 — 49
SCORING
UC — Kyrell Littleton 45 run (Miguel Sanchez kick) 8:11, 1st
UC — Tayehari Jones 4 run (Sanchez kick) 6:07, 1st
UC — Littleton 25 run (Sanchez kick) 2:14, 1st
UC — Littleton 13 run (Sanchez kick) 11:09, 2nd
UC — Littleton 10 run (Sanchez kick) 9:08, 2nd
UC — Jones 48 run (Sanchez kick) 2:36, 2nd
UC — Kolby Craig 41 interception return (Sanchez kick) 1:40, 4th
LT UC
Total Offense (-17) 230
Rush Att.-Yards 31-(-50) 25-213
Comp.-Att.-Int 1-6-2 1-2-0
Passing Yards 33 17
First Downs 3 10
Punts-Avg. 3-16.3 1-30
Fumbles-Lost 12-1 1-0
Penalties-Yds. 7-53 3-20
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Liberty Tech — James Robinson 9-13, Bryant Cody 2-0, Sedarious Taylor 2-(-2), Lewis Harris 5-(-4), Kamarion Croom 12-(-26), Team 1-(-31). Union City — Kyrell Littleton 8-127, Tayehari Jones 6-68, Jacob Arnold 1-16, Jackson Chism 1-9, Hayden Kennedy 1-7, Keaton Brown 3-8, Gavin Morgan 4-1, Team 1-(-23).
PASSING: Liberty Tech — Kamarion Croom 1-6-2 – 33. Union City — Jackson Chism 1-2-0 – 17.
RECEIVING: Liberty Tech — Sedarious Taylor 1-33. Union City — Gage Smith 1-17.
RECORDS: Liberty Tech 1-7; Union City 7-2.
NEXT GAME: Union City closes its regular season Friday night, Oct. 29, with a trip to Huntingdon for a 7 p.m. kickoff.