By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Better.
That was the overall general observation of Union City head coach Darren Bowling after he watched the Tornadoes turn in their best effort of the preseason in a 19-7 jamboree loss at Milan Friday night.
“I liked our fight. I liked our effort. I liked that we didn’t put our heads down when something bad happened,” the Tornado skipper said after UC followed up subpar preseason showings against Westview and Brighton against a talented and speedy Bulldog bunch that is expected to challenge for the Region 7-3A championship.
The night also included a 16-8 win by the Union City Middle School team and a pair of wins by the Milan freshmen (6-0) and the Bulldog junior varsity (24-0).
All the contests consisted of two quarters.
The marching Golden Tornado band also performed part of its 2019 show, and both the UCMS and UCHS cheerleaders were there to support their respective teams.
Union City is set to open its 2019 high school campaign next Friday with a road game at Lake County.
The middle school Twisters, who opened their season on Thursday night with a 36-18 win over USJ, will play host to Dyersburg next Thursday.
Milan 19, UC 7 (Varsity)
Three turnovers hampered the Purple and Gold, the first – an interception — after Union City put together an 11-play opening drive and was threatening inside the Milan 30.
After the Bulldogs scored to go up 6-0, UC turned the ball over again, but made up for that mistake when Carter Bondurant jumped on a Milan fumble, giving the Twisters the ball back.
Quarterback Wes Tilghman, subbing again for Sam Theobald, who is expected to back from a rib injury for next week’s opener, dashed 36 yards to put Union City in scoring position. Tilghman then hooked up with Kyrell Littleton for a rare but pretty 19-yard pass play on 4-and-12 to get the Tornadoes to the 5.
Two plays later, Tilghman carried an option keeper into the endzone. Freshman Miguel Sanchez nailed the PAT to give UC a short-lived lead.
Milan answered in five plays, though, on the second of three TDs by its shifty quarterback.
The last of Union City’s turnovers on its ensuing possession set up the Bulldog’s last score with 5:41 left in the second quarter.
“Obviously, the turnovers hurt us, but I felt like Milan never stopped us – we stopped ourselves,” Bowling added. “Defensively, we had some contain issues, but, overall, I really like how we battled against a very good 3A football team.”
UC rushed for 129 yards as a team, Tilghman accounting for 49 of those. Travon Westbrooks totaled 35 yards, while Carson Corley – subbing for injured starter Justin Wiggins – ended up with 30 yards on 10 carries.
Wiggins, like Theobald, is expected to play in next week’s opener.
UC 16, Milan 8 (middle school)
One night after opening its regular season in style, the Jr. Tornadoes scored on their first two drives to beat Milan.
Tayehari Jones ripped off a 48-yard TD and tacked on a two-point conversion after Union City’s second score. Quarterback Keaton Brown called his own number for a two-yard sneak for the Twisters’ other touchdown.
Jacob Arnold, who was impressive with his inside running, finished with 42 yards and a two-point conversion.
Kweli Purifoy had a 32-yard pickup on his only carry, while Brown hooked up with Ben Wade for a 30-yard gain to set up UC’s second score.
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