United claims another EOAC title | News, sports, jobs

United’s Kollyn Wells follows his blockers, including Braden Schwartz (17), in Saturday’s win over Valley Christian. (Special to the Salem News/Lowell Spencer)

LIBERTY – In a crucial battle between the Eagles for first place in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference, it was the United version that won the tough, physical affair with a commanding 45-14 victory on Saturday night.

United improves to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the EOAC this season. This also means that they can secure the league title with a win next week. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that United have either won or shared the championship.

“Our five seniors have done a great job for us all year.” said United coach DJ Ogilvie. “I don’t think people other than the guys in our locker room expected us to be league champions this year.”

“Every year it happens that you graduate a bunch and you’re not going to be that good, and we just have to prove ourselves every year.” said senior quarterback Parker Newburn. “We really had to step up because there are so few of us (seniors), but I think we did a good job of influencing the team and helping the younger players whenever we can.”

Valley Christian falls to 6-3 and 4-2 in the league. They must now focus on getting back on track for the upcoming Division VI playoffs as they no longer have a share of the league title. Southern is 5-1 in the EOAC and must lose to East Palestine this Friday to secure a share of the title.

United, Valley and Southern have already secured playoff spots, with first-round games scheduled for November 1st.

Saturday’s contest featured an old-fashioned slugfest from United, who turned a 14-14 tie early in the second quarter and scored 31 unanswered points to secure victory. United had a 24-14 halftime lead and outscored Valley Christian 21-0 in the second half.

“We work in the weight room all year round” Newburn said. “That’s when it comes into play.”

“Our offensive line is big and physical and we have running backs that run hard, so that was the formula: keep the ball away from them and take advantage of our guys up front and our strong runners.” said Ogilvie.

United had five runners with more than 50 yards each.

United scored on eight of its nine possessions, with Parker Newburn leading the way with 95 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also added a key pass on a fourth-down conversion for 19 yards in the second quarter.

“Parker has been incredible all year” said Ogilvie. “Last year he was our leading receiver and then we asked him to be the quarterback on offense and he unselfishly put the team first. I can’t say enough about Parker, he’s been great all year and just been a great kid and a great leader on our football team.”

Newburn’s first touchdown came on their first possession when he scored on a 2-yard run at 8:14 of the frame. Thomas Brown added a 26-yard run on the second play of the second quarter to complete United’s second drive.

However, Valley Christian answered both scoring opportunities with two goals of their own. A 45-yard run by Ahmire Dixon at the 4:54 mark of the first quarter made the game 7-6 in United’s favor. Dixon then caught an 8-yard pass and converted it into two points with 10:18 left in the first half, making the game 14-14.

From that point on, United took control of the game as they scored on a 17-yard run by Braden Schwartz with 5:29 left in the first half to take a 21-14 lead. Kicker Zac Figley hit a 29-yard field goal with just 18 seconds left in the quarter, giving United a 24-14 halftime lead.

Newburn added his second touchdown on United’s first possession of the second half when he reached the end zone on a 4-yard run. Fullback M’Kyan Haynes added a 19-yard rusher early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 38-14. Schwartz then added his second touchdown of the night with just 5:42 left in the game to activate the running clock and make the final score.

“Next week, East Palestine will be packed and ready to win the game.” said Ogilvie. “They’ve done a great job all year. Coach Demster did a great job turning them around. And we want to be absolute champions. We expect East Palestine to do its best, and we must do our best.”

The United Eagles close out the regular season next when they travel to East Palestine with a chance to secure the EOAC title. Valley Christian will also play at Columbiana on Friday.

UNITED: 07/17/14/07/45

TAL: 6- 8-0- 0-14

VALUES

UN – Parker Newburn 2 Run (Zac Figley Kick)

VC – Ahmire Dixon 45th run (kick failed)

UN – Thomas Brown 26th run (Figley kick)

VC – Dixon 8 pass from Deion Miller (Ja’Sean Lindsey run)

UN – Braden Schwartz 17 run (Figley kick)

UN – Figley 29 field goal

UN – Newburn 4-Run (Figley Kick)

UN – M’Kyan Haynes 19 run (Figley kick)

UN – Schwartz 14-run (Figley kick)

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UN VC

First downs 21 8

Total yards 355 148

Rushes yards 60-336 20-79

Handing over 19 69

Comp-Att-Int, 1-1-0 6-15-1

Punts Avg 0-0 3-20.3

Fumbles – 1-1, 0-0 lost

Penalties – Yards 7-45 11-102

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INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING–United, Parker Newburn 21-95, M’Kyan Haynes 11-77, Braden Schwartz 10-60, Kollyn Wells 11-53, Thomas Brown 7-51; Valley, Ja’Sean Lindsey 17-75, Deion Miller 2-(minus 7).

PASSING–United; Parker Newburn 1-1-19-0-0; Valley, Deion Miller 6-15-69-1-1.

RECEPTION – United, Quentin Taylor 1-9; Valley, Ahmire Dixon 4-30, Geordan Traylor 1-28, Alfred Coward 1-11

INTERCEPTIONS United, Newburn.

FUMBLE RECOVERIES – Valley, Lyndale Riley.