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Eagles earn 1st playoff berth since 2009
WAVERLY -- There are only three high schools in the state of Kansas whose names begin with the letter U. Two of them will face off Tuesday night in Eight-Man Division I Bi-District play after Uniontown pulled off its biggest victory in several seasons over Waverly Thursday night.
In the finale of District 1 play, the Eagles (6-3) secured their first playoff berth since 2009 by beating the host Bulldogs, 56-26. This sets up a Tuesday night battle at undefeated Udall in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eagles finished as the runner-up in District 1 with the victory. Marais des Cygnes Valley (7-2) clinched the district title last week after having beaten both Uniontown and Waverly (7-2).
"Our kids played well," Uniontown head coach Chad Stroud said. "We are very proud of them and happy for them. We went on the road and beat a good ball club in Waverly"
The game was tied 6-6 after one quarter but the Eagles outscored the Bulldogs 14-0 in the second and didn't look back. The game broke open in the fourth quarter, when Uniontown outscored Waverly 30-14.
The Eagles rushed for 323 of their 372 yards of total offense while the Bulldogs were more balanced, passing for 171 of their 351 yards. Uniontown running back John Reed rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns.
"We were able to feed John Reed the ball more than the last couple weeks, working him back into the offensive game plan from injury," Stroud said. "Our offensive line played well. They maintained a physical mindset throughout the game and I think we really wore Waverly down towards the end. We scored 30 points in the fourth quarter when we really were just trying to control the ball and run clock."
Quarterback Jacob Duffey added 95 rushing yards and scored three times himself. He also completed 4 of 7 passes for 49 yards. Cole Schafer rushed for 57 yards and scored a touchdown.
Defensively, Duffey was in on 17 tackles while Cale Coyan made 15 tackles. Schafer returned an interception for a score. The Eagles recovered three fumbles and had two interceptions.
"Our defense ran to the ball well, which we stressed we would have to do against Waverly's big fullback," Stroud said. "For the most part we contained their rushing attack all night. We were able to get five turnovers which obviously was crucial. Cole had a pick-6 right before half which was a huge play in the game, really swinging the momentum."
Tuesday night's game will kick off at 6 p.m. due to the distance between the schools. Udall is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Wichita.
BI-DISTRICT
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Games kick off at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Cedar Vale/Dexter (6-3) at Marais Des Cygnes Valley (7-2)
Osborne (8-1) at Peabody (9-0), 6 p.m.
Uniontown (6-3) at Udall (9-0), 6 p.m.
Madison/Hamilton (7-2) at Hanover (9-0), 6 p.m.
Coldwater-South Central (6-3) at Claflin-Central Plains (9-0)
Rawlins County (6-3) at Spearville (9-0), 6 p.m.
Little River (6-3) at Pratt-Skyline (8-1)
Ness City (7-2) at Oberlin (8-1)
Saturday, Nov. 8
Cedar Vale/Dexter-Marais des Cygnes Valley winner vs. Osborne-Peabody winner
Uniontown-Udall winner vs. Madison/Hamilton-Hanover winner
South Central-Central Plains winner vs. Spearville-Rawlins County winner
Little River--Pratt-Skyline winner vs. Ness City-Oberlin winner.
Friday, Nov. 14
To be determined
Saturday, Nov. 22
at Newton, 3:30