Mike Hutchens
Communications Director
Results from the fourth annual Purple and Gold Jamboree were a mixed bag for Union City.
The Middle School Tornadoes had a steady all-around showing in beating Crestview 8-0, but UCHS was on the wrong end of a 27-0 count vs. Covington in the varsity portion of their final preseason tune-up.
In between those two Friday night sessions at War Memorial Stadium, the 2025 UC High School boys’ track team and coaching staff were presented with rings for winning the Class 1A state championship back in May.
Included among that group was three-event state champion Adrian Crawford, and fellow individual titlists Aiden Reid and Kyle Price.
Jamboree recaps are as follows:
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UC 8, Crestview 0
UCMS – which already has a regular-season win under its belt – got the best of Crestview under sweltering conditions during a 20-minute session to begin the jamboree.
After thwarting the visitors’ scoring threat inside the 10-yard line with a fumble recovery, the Twisters mounted an impressive 92-yard scoring drive.
Isaiah Puckett, who rushed for 72 yards on six carries, ripped off a couple of nice gainers in the march, then sped 43 yards around left end for a touchdown with 3:39 left in the quarter. Quarterback Brayson Williams tacked on the two-point conversion with a keeper to account for the final score.
Thomas Harrell contributed to the scoring drive with a pair of positive runs.
Sam Kissell and Dexter Graham were credited with three tackles apiece to pace the Union City defense, while linemen Jorge Escobar and Will Cochrum earned words of praise from head coach Josh Keown for their work in the trenches.
The Tornadoes will play their second game of the regular season on Thursday, hosting Northview.
HIGH SCHOOL
Covington 27, UC 0
The Tornadoes – facing a perennially tough 3A Covington program – clearly have areas to fine-tune before opening their season next week at home against Jackson Christian School.
UC struggled to consistently move the ball offensively against a swarming Charger defense and committed a pair of costly turnovers, including a fumble that was returned for a TD.
In all, Covington scored twice on offense, once defensively, and kicked a pair of field goals – the second on the final play of the second 20-minute quarters.
Union City did have a couple of nice defensive sequences and had one sustained drive that included positive runs by quarterback Jack Theobald and fullback Kirben Thompson.
Kickoff for next Friday’s season opener vs. JCS is set for 7 p.m.