By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City scored on its first three offensive snaps and went on to crush Gibson County 48-20 in middle school football Tuesday night at Randy Barnes Field.
The Tornadoes added to their perfect record with a sixth consecutive win and will play their final home game on Thursday night against Huntingdon. UC will wrap up its 2024 campaign on Monday with a make-up contest at Lake County.
B.J. Boyd found paydirt on both of his carries, finishing with 117 yards, two touchdowns, and a pair of two-point conversions.
Caden LeCornu ran for a TD and three conversions, while quarterback Brayden Marshall rushed for a score and threw for another (40 yards) to Kinydee Taylor.
Brayson Smith darted 55 yards for a touchdown, and Ayden Puckett and Asa Reid accounted for 2-point plays for the Twisters, who began playing reserves in the second period.
It was 40-6 at halftime after UC had put up 32 points in the opening eight-minute frame.
Boyd was in on a team-high six tackles, while LeCornu had a trio of stops behind the line.
Camron Beeler had a forced fumble and a recovery, Alessandro Rosas forced a fumble, and Puckett came up with a recovery.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
UC Boys bring home 1st place
Led by another stellar day from Madix Turner and Brody Fields, the Union City boys claimed first place overall among 28 schools in the Best of the West meet at Three Oaks School in Dyersburg on Tuesday.
Turner (12:31) was fifth and Fields (12:42) placed seventh in a massive field that numbered 248 participants for the two-mile run.
Cooper Waggoner (13:44) finished 27th for the Tornadoes, Jake Lattus (13:50) was 30th, and Nash Norsworthy (13:53) came in 33rd. Camden Watts (56th, 14:40) also competed with the varsity squad.
Hadlee Duncan earned a medal for the UC girls, finishing 17th among 176 runners with a time of 15:30. Chloe Baumgardner (16:36) placed 32nd.
In the jayvee race, Stephen Herrell (4th, 14:52) and Will D. McKinnis (6th, 14:59) medaled for the Tornado boys.
Union City will close its 2024 season on Monday with a meet at Lexington.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Carlisle Co. 1
The Lady Tornadoes claimed their third straight win to better their seasonal mark to 9-4.
Union City won Games 1 and 2 – 25-22 and 25-18 – then closed out the match with a 25-23 triumph in Game 4 after falling 25-16 in Game 3.
Madie Theobald had a monster night in the assist department, racking up 27 to go along with nine saves. Addison Carr shined for the Purple and Gold with 10 digs, a half-dozen service aces, five assists, five kills, and four saves.
Allysia Davis posted a team-best 10 kills, while Brianna McBride had seven digs, seven kills, six aces, and four saves.
Gracelyn Sims finished with seven kills and four aces, and Clare Atwill recorded a dozen digs and four saves. Ca’Lae Ervin contributed with seven kills.
All totaled, Union City finished with 37 digs, 36 kills, and 33 assists.
Head coach Jessica Graham singled out Carr and Davis for their efforts.
“Addison (Carr) has taken on a new role and is doing many good things for us right now,” Graham claimed. “She had an excellent all-around game.
“Allysia (Davis) had a good effort, too. She is one I have really been leaning on to help lead the team. She has a great attitude and is constantly trying to talk up everyone.”
Union City will host Halls in a varsity doubleheader on Thursday, Game 1 set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Tornado pair medal
Woodrow McKinnis had a strong showing, placing fourth among 211 runners for the Union City boys in a meet at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson on Tuesday.
McKinnis was clocked at 17:19 in the 5K race.
Ainsley Sadler likewise had a good day for the UC girls, coming in 12th to medal in a field of 129. Sadler’s time was 22:51.
Rushdon Howell (21st, 18:53) and Ainsley Beard (22nd, 23:36) narrowly missed the Top 20 and medalist honors for the Tornado teams.
Wrigley Harder finished at 23:03.
There were 33 schools participating in the event.
Union City will participate in the Best of the West next Tuesday at Obion County Central.