Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
PENNS GROVE, N.J. – A 41-12 loss to New Jersey’s 10th-ranked, unbeaten Division II team will likely make a long ride home even longer for Union City.
Four lost fumbles – three inside PG territory – and the stellar all-around efforts of Red Devil star and Sacred Heart commitment Tyreke Brown combined to send the Golden Tornadoes to their fourth loss in five games this season Friday night.
UC, which made the more than 900-mile trek to Jersey and combined football with the educational experience of New York and Philadelphia, is to start its return trip home early Saturday morning and is expected to arrive late at night.
A great journey otherwise, the Twisters’ football experience was not a good one.
Critical turnovers killed any chances Union City had at handing the talented PG squad its first loss.
Three lost fumbles – part of a seven-fumble night ‑ led to Penns Grove scores and thwarted any momentum the Purple and Gold might’ve had. Especially critical were turnovers at the hosts’ 35 and 12 yard lines in the third quarter when the Tornadoes seemed to be shifting momentum in their favor despite a two-touchdown deficit.
“I really thought we had a chance in the third quarter,” UC head coach Darren Bowling said afterward. “We’d gotten a stop and took over and started moving the ball and moving it well. I thought we had them gassed a little bit and then we coughed it up. I thought we moved the ball well on offense all night from the 30 (yard line) to the 30.
“Turnovers are part of the game though, and we just have to do a better job of not doing that.”
PG’s Brown proved every bit as good as his advanced billing.
The 6-1, 222-pound multi-talented standout lined up at both running back and receiver, and proved unstoppable at both positions.
Brown ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries and also caught two scoring passes – including an acrobatic grab on his team’s first possession – ending the night with 100 yards on four receptions.
“We knew, coming here, we’d face some really good athletes. But that didn’t really scare us because we see athletes all the time with the people we play, like Trenton, like Mayfield, like Jackson South Side,” Bowling added.
“But this was the most athletic team overall we’ve seen to-date. Offensively, they’re very well-coached and had a lot of weapons. They do a great job of finding those guys.”
Kavon Lewis threw three TD passes in all for Penns Grove, which is now 4-0.
UC’s first touchdown came when Kaylon McLendon fell on teammate Travon Westbook’s fumble in the endzone after Westbrook had sped 52 yards deep into Red Devil territory with an option pitch. The score cut PG’s lead to 7-6 with seven seconds left in the opening period.
The Tornadoes scored their other TD with 2:20 showing in the first half when Wes Tilghman hit Sam Theobald with a 22-yard touchdown strike to get Union City within 20-12.
The Red Devils built on their lead with a score just before the intermission and added insurance touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters.
Kaleb Craig recorded his fifth 100-yard rushing game in as many outings, but had to work for each of his 163 yards. Craig carried the ball 43 times, 25 of those going for three yards or less.
Tilghman ended up with 76 yards rushing and Westbrook had 61.
Linebacker Jay Ramsey topped the Twister tackle chart with five solos and three assists, making one of those stops behind the line. Justin Wiggins also had five solo hits and a pair of assists, while Carson Corley had a sack.
Though disappointed with his team’s 1-4 record after the loss, Bowling said the Tornadoes still can have a special season.
“We’ve got nothing but region games left and we control our own destiny as far as making the playoffs and making a deep run,” he insisted.
“God put eyes in front of your head for a reason – you have to rip off that rearview mirror, put the hammer down and keep on driving. That’s what we’re going to do Monday. We’re going to get back to work and get better.”
Union City will host Trinity Christian Academy next Friday.
Penns Grove 41, Union City 12
Union City 6 6 0 0 — 12
Penns Grove 7 20 7 7 — 41
SCORING
PG — Tyreke Brown 33 pass from Kavon Lewis (Jared McNair kick). 2:47, 1st
UC — Kaylon McLendon fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed). 0:07, 1st
PG — Brown 63 run (kick blocked). 11:11, 2nd
PG — Brown 35 pass from Lewis (McNair kick). 7:52, 2nd
UC — Sam Theobald 22 pass from Wes Tilghman (run failed). 2:20, 2nd
PG — Torvon Ransome 10 pass from Lewis (McNair kick). 0:28, 2nd
PG — Jaylon Carter 68 run (McNair kick). 2:44, 3rd
PG — Brown 37 run (McNair kick). 3:47, 4th
UC PG
Total Offense 322 382
Rush Att.-Yards 66-300 23-205
Comp.-Att.-Int 0-1-0 9-14-0
Passing Yards 22 177
First Downs 17 16
Punts-Avg. 1-36 3-37.2
Fumbles-Lost 7-4 2-1
Penalties-Yds. 3-20 4-31
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Union City — Kaleb Craig 43-163, Wes Tilghman 15-76, Travon Westbrook 6-61, Team 2-0. Penns Grove — Tyreke Brown 9-152, Jaylon Carter 8-79, Jamar Johnson 1-3, Kavon Lewis 4-(-10), Team 1-(-19).
PASSING: Union City — Wes Tilghman 1-1-0—22. Penns Grove — Kavon Lewis 13-21-0—205.
RECEIVING: Union City — Sam Theobald 1-22. Penns Gove — Torvon Ransome 6-52, Tyreke Brown 4-100, Jamar Johnson 1-17, Jymire Gilliam 1-7, Jaylon Carter 1-1.
RECORDS: UC 1-4, PG 4-0.
NEXT GAME: UC hosts Trinity Christian Academy next Friday.
Photo by Mike Hutchens.
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