United’s Colin Wells went after blockers, including 17-year-old Braden Schwartz, during Saturday’s win over Valley Christian. (Salem News Feature/Lowell Spencer)
LIBERTY — In a key battle between the Eagles for the top spot in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference, United dominated a hard-fought physical battle Saturday night with a commanding 45-14 victory.
United improved to 8-1 on the season and 6-0 in the EOAC. It also means a win could see them clinch the outright league title next week. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that United have won or shared the league title.
“Our five seniors have done a great job for us all year.” United coach DJ Ogilvie said: “I don’t think anyone other than the players in the locker room expected us to be league champions this year.”
“It’s always the case that every year you graduate a lot, but you don’t do as well. We have to prove ourselves every year.” said senior quarterback Parker Newbern. “With so few of us (seniors), we really had to step up, but I think we did a good job of impacting the team and helping the younger players as much as possible.”
Valley Christian fell to 6-3 and 4-2 in league play. After missing out on a share of the league title, they must now focus on getting back on track for the upcoming Division VI playoffs. Southern is 5-1 in the EOAC and United needs to lose to East Palestine this Friday to clinch a share of the title.
United, Valley and Southern have already qualified for the playoffs, with first round games scheduled for November 1st.
On Saturday, United put on a classic slugfest, overcoming a 14-14 tie early in the second quarter and scoring 31 unanswered points to win. United held a 24-14 advantage by halftime and outscored Valley Christian 21-0 in the second half.
“We work in the weight room all year long.” Newbern said. “That’s when it comes into play.”
“Our offensive line is big and physical, and we have running backs who run hard, so the formula was to keep the ball away from them and use our frontline players and tough runners.” Ogilvie said.
United had five runners of 50 yards or more.
United led the way with Parker Newbern rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns, scoring on eight of their nine possessions. He also gained 19 yards on a fourth-down conversion in the second quarter and added one key completion.
“Parker has been incredible all year long.” Ogilvie said. “Last year he was our primary receiver and then we asked him to be the quarterback of our offense and he unselfishly put the team first.”About Parker I can’t say enough about him being great all year and being a great kid and a great leader for our football team.”
New Bern’s first touchdown came on its first possession, when it scored on a 2-yard run at the 8:14 mark of the frame. Thomas Brown added a 26-yard run on the second play of the second quarter to cap off United’s second drive.
But Valley Christian answered both of those scoring drives with two points of its own. Amaiah Dixon’s 45-yard run 4:54 into the first quarter gave United a 7-6 lead. Dixon then caught an 8-yard pass and two-point conversion with 10:18 left in the first half to tie the game at 14-14.
United took over from there, scoring on Braden Schwartz’s 17-yard run with 5:29 left in the first half to take a 21-14 lead. Kicker Zach Figley added a 29-yard field goal with 18 seconds left in the quarter, giving United a 24-14 halftime lead.
Newbern reached the end zone on United’s first possession of the second half and ran 4 yards to add his second touchdown. Fullback M’Kyan Haynes added a 19-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 38-14. Schwartz then added his second touchdown of the night with 5 minutes, 42 seconds left in the game, activating the running clock and reaching the final score.
“Next week, East Palestine will be ready to give their all and win the game.” Ogilvie said. “They’ve done a great job all year. Coach Demster has done a great job turning them around. And we want to be outright champions. We hope East Palestine gives us We expect them to do their best, and we need to do our best.”
The United Eagles will next travel to East Palestine after the regular season for a chance to win the EOAC title outright. Valley Christian is also scheduled to play at Columbiana on Friday.
United: 7-17-7-14–45
Valley: 6- 8-0- 0–14
scoring
UN – Parker Newbern 2 runs (Zach Figley kick)
VC – Amaiah Dixon 45 runs (missed kick)
UN – Thomas Brown 26 runs (figley kick)
VC – Dixon 8 passes from Dion Miller (run by Jayshawn Lindsay)
UN – Braden Schwartz 17 runs (figly kick)
UN – Figley 29 field goals
UN – New Bern 4 runs (figley kick)
UN – Mukyan Haynes 19 runs (figly kick)
UN – Schwartz 14 runs (figly kick)
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United Nations VC
First down 21 8
Total yards 355 148
Rush Yards 60-336 20-79
passing 19 69
Comp-at-Into, 1-1-0 6-15-1
Punt average 0-0 3-20.3
Lost fumble 1-1 0-0
Penalty Yards 7-45 11-102
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individual leader
Rushing – United, Parker Newbern 21-95, McCann Haynes 11-77, Braden Schwartz 10-60, Colin Wells 11-53, Thomas Brown 7-51. Valley, Jashawn Lindsey 17-75, Dion Miller 2-(minus-7).
Passing – Unity; Parker Newbern 1-1-19-0-0; Valley, Dion Miller 6-15-69-1-1.
Reception – Quentin Taylor, United 1-9. Valley, Ahmiah Dixon 4-30, Jordan Traylor 1-28, Alfred Coward 1-11
Interception – United, New Bern.
Fumble Recovery – Valley, Lyndale Riley.
