By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
One bad apple wasn’t about to spoil the entire bushel for Nick Markle.
“Obviously, this wasn’t the ending we wanted or expected,” the Union City head coach said after the third-ranked Tornadoes were ousted from the Class 1A playoffs following a surprising 42-0 thumping at the hands of No. 6 Memphis Academy of Science & Engineering in Friday’s quarterfinals.
“In no way does it take away from everything this group accomplished, though. This group of kids won nine straight games coming into tonight, won a regional championship, and made the (state) quarterfinals three straight years. That just doesn’t happen by accident or luck. The guys worked extremely hard and were all in this together.
“It was a great, great season that just ended too early for us.”
Brody Whittaker threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns, and MASE’s heralded defense posted its eighth shutout of the season by limiting UC to just 63 total yards while forcing four turnovers.
The Phoenix (11-1) built a 22-0 halftime lead via an interception return for a TD and two scoring passes from Whittaker to Darius Smith, then continued to smother the Twister offense the rest of the way.
Union City (10-3) managed only three first downs in the contest and had just three runs longer than two yards after entering the game averaging 42 points and 350 yards offense per game.
“At the end of the day, we simply did not play well enough to win the ballgame,” continued Markle, who acknowledged MASE’S speedy and physical defense was as good as advertised. “They had a good scheme. They were hyped up (after we beat them here last year) and played better than I thought they would. They scouted us well.
“We didn’t make plays and gave up big plays ourselves. They were clearly better tonight.”
The Tornadoes missed out on their best chances to score in the first half after Kirben Thompson blocked a punt to give his team possession at the Phoenix 22. After UC failed to capitalize on that opportunity, the Twisters got another with a shanked kick that gave them the ball at the MASE 32.
Two plays later, Union City’s third first-half turnover handed possession back to the Memphians.
The contest was the last in a Purple and Gold uniform for nine Union City seniors. Among those playing their final game were Kelan Roberson, Davis Hayes, Cohen Simpson, Tayehari Jones, Tucker Davis, Gavin Morgan, Troy Joslin, Marcos Landeros, and Alton Smith.
“These seniors are special guys. I’m really proud of their toughness, physically and mentally,” an emotional Markle continued. “I want them to come back to their 10-year reunion and know that the success the program’s having then was built off their backs.
“They believed in themselves, each other, and the coaches. They are leaving a legacy. I don’t know if people understand the commitment it takes to play football at Union City and the work these young men put in to win a regional title. I’ll tell you I don’t take for granted being in the quarterfinals, and I know there’s no such thing as just showing up and winning – just because we’re Union City.
“This is a special group to me personally, and I just wish we could’ve gotten them to our ultimate goal.”
MASE will host top-ranked McKenzie (13-0) in one of two semifinals next week.
MASE 42, Union City 0
Union City 0 0 0 0 — 0
MASE 14 8 14 6 — 42
MASE — Kadience Nelson 17 interception return (pass failed). 6:33, 1st
MASE — Darius Smith 79 pass from Brody Whittaker (D’Onte Williams pass from Whittaker). 4:45, 1st
MASE — Smith 79 pass from Whittaker (Christopher Watson pass from Whittaker). 8:52, 2nd
MASE — Nelson 29 pass from Whittaker (pass failed). 6:17, 3rd
MASE —Whittaker 1 run (Nelson pass from Whittaker). 2:30, 3rd
MASE — Watson 34 run (pass failed). 2:24, 4th
UC MASE
Total Offense 63 432
Rush Att.-Yards 26-43 26-152
Comp.-Att.-Int. 4-11-3 18-25-1
Passing yards 20 280
First Downs 3 18
Punts-Avg. 5-37.7 5-16.5
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Penalties-Yds. 1-10 10-83
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Union City — Tayehari Jones 8-28, Aiden Reid 8-8, Zak Summers 10-7 . MASE — Deuante Jones 14-97. Christopher Watson 3-52, Leandrew Branch 2-3, Brody Whittaker 7-0.
PASSING: Union City — Zak Summers 4-11-3—20. MASE — Brody Whitaker 18-25-1—280.
RECEIVING: Union City — Tucker Davis 2-12, Aiden Reid 1-4, Kirben Thompson 1-4. MASE — Kadience Nelson 5-79, Christopher Watson 5-50, Darius Smith 3-135, Deuante Jones 2-11, D’Onte Williams 1-5.
RECORDS: Union City 10-3; MASE 11-1.
NEXT GAME: Union City’s season ends.