A Friday night clash of unbeaten teams took place Friday night! Unionville brought home the DUB over previously undefeated Upper Perkiomen with a thrilling 27-21 home win. The game showcased the Longhorns’ ability to counter Upper Perk’s powerful ground game, especially with a game-changing play that proved pivotal.
Game-Changing Moment
With just over a minute left in the first half and the score tied at 14, Unionville quarterback Tommy McGinnis took a risk that paid off in a big way. On the next play from scrimmage after Upper Perk had just scored, McGinnis unleashed a perfect 50-yard bomb down the middle of the field. Drew Puleo, wide open, caught the pass for a touchdown just 11 seconds after the Indians had tied the game. This play not only swung the momentum in Unionville’s favor but also set the tone for the second half. “I talked to Coach Murphy about taking a deep shot since we were having success running the ball,” McGinnis recalled. “I saw Drew, and we have a strong connection. He was open, and it was a perfect moment for a touchdown.” Puleo echoed McGinnis’s sentiment, adding, “Murphy loves to exploit moments when the defense isn’t expecting something. We had momentum from a good kickoff return, and Tommy and I trust each other. We knew it was going to be a big play.”
Dominant Ground Game and Defense
Unionville’s game plan was clear from the start. The Longhorns dominated with a ground-and-pound approach, running the ball effectively throughout the game. On their opening drive, Unionville used 11 plays—all runs—to cover 44 yards, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown by Owen Simcox. The team scored three rushing touchdowns from three different players. Upper Perk’s Zach Schwartz, who had been a standout in the previous week’s game with 204 rushing yards and five touchdowns, struggled against Unionville’s defensive front. He lost a fumble on a screen pass early in the game, and despite some good drives, the Upper Perk was limited to just 111 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Schwartz, battling through an ankle injury, managed only 44 yards on 15 carries.
“Unionville’s defensive line was exceptional,” said McGinnis. “They were prepared and executed well, making it difficult for us to get our running game going.”
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Scoring Summary
After Upper Perk tied the game at 7-7 with a 2-yard QB keeper by Logan O’Donnell, Unionville quickly responded with another 11-play drive that ended with a McGinnis 1-yard run, making it 14-7. Upper Perk’s Brody Weiss scored a 2-yard touchdown just before halftime, but Unionville answered with McGinnis’s long pass to Puleo to go up 20-14.
In the second half, Unionville continued their momentum with a nine-play drive that took almost half of the third quarter. Tristan McIlrath scored from 2 yards out to extend the lead to 27-14. Upper Perk fought valiantly, scoring a 38-yard touchdown pass from O’Donnell to Aiden Void to cut the deficit to 27-21. They managed to advance to the Unionville 39-yard line before time ran out.
Looking Ahead
The loss marked the first defeat for Upper Perk this season, but a 3-1 start is a significant improvement from last year’s 1-9 record. For Unionville, the win boosts their record to 3-1 as they prepare for the start of the Ches-Mont League season against Bishop Shanahan. With McGinnis leading a balanced offense and a solid defense, the Longhorns are optimistic about their chances moving forward. Puleo summed up the team’s outlook: “Our goal is to win every week and make it to the playoffs. We celebrate the wins but stay focused on preparing for each upcoming game.”Â
