Independent schedule allowed Uniontown to experience success

By: Jonathan Guth
Saturday, August 27, 2022 | 12:01 PM

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The Uniontown football team decided to go the independent route last season, and with longtime assistant Keith Jeffries at the helm, the Red Raiders snapped a 35-game losing streak.

Uniontown defeated Carrick, 41-6, in front of its home crowd at Bill Power Stadium on Sept. 10 and added another victory at Carrick, 42-13, on Oct. 15. Prior to the two wins last year, the Red Raiders’ last triumph came against Laurel Highlands, 27-10, on Oct. 14, 2016.

Jeffries was on the sideline for all those games and he looks forward to seeing how his team responds after having some success last season.

“It was just nice to see the enthusiasm (after breaking the losing streak),” Jeffries said. “Even the kids in the school that had played previously, who might not have played last year. There was one of my players, who was one of the first kids over the fence, and he was jumping on people when the clock hit triple zeros. They were so excited to see what these kids finally did last year.”

Jeffries’ top assistant is someone he is familiar with in Harry Kauffman, who played under Jeffries and worked with him as an assistant. Kauffman and Eric Saylor will coach the lines. Tim Tatar will work with the quarterbacks. Maurice Jackson Sr. and Jeremy Brain are also on staff.

Uniontown welcomes back former head coach John Fortugna as a voluntary assistant. Fortugna coached Jeffries and Kauffman and led the Red Raiders to a conference crown in 2001 and a playoff victory in 2009, which was something that hadn’t been done at Uniontown since 1965.

Jeffries said that even though Fortugna never coached this current group of players, his legacy remains and the kids have responded to him.

“I asked him last year if he wanted to come around,” Jeffries said. “I even offered him a paid job, but he said that he just wants to come around and help out, he doesn’t want paid. He told me today that he was excited to be out on the field and it got him pumped up. He said he didn’t want to step on my toes.

“He got a bad knock because people are always worried about the record. You can’t judge everything based off what their overall record was. When we had the players, we won ballgames. What he did for kids in this school is staggering. He helped them out so much and he didn’t get the credit he deserved. We are glad to have him on staff.”

The atmosphere was positive in camp and Jeffries had 53 kids out.

“Our numbers right now are pretty good compared to what we were a couple of years ago,” Jeffries said. “Last year, we finished with about 36, so our numbers are growing and it has been pretty steady.”

Senior Tavian Richardson (5-9, 150) and junior William Nedley (5-11, 175) are in the mix at quarterback. Junior K’Adrian McLee (6-5, 190) is also working at quarterback but will see time at wide receiver.

“Right now, Tavian is in the front, but William has been taking some reps,” Jeffries said. “K’Adrian has also been in there, and they are all basketball players.”

Jeffries believes the members of the basketball team can make an impact.

“The majority of the kids on the basketball team are here,” Jeffries said. “I think we have, probably, I would say 80% of the basketball team here playing now, which is a positive.

“We’ve always tried to share the basketball players since coach (Rob Kezmarsky) has taken over, and even with coach (Dave) Shuck. All of the hoopers would play football, and they usually have success. When you talk to coaches in college, they want to know if kids play other sports.”

Uniontown will rotate backs in and out depending on the circumstance. Seniors Maurice Jackson (6-foot-1, 240) and Cam Jackson (5-10, 170) will see the bulk of the carries, and Cam will move to slot receiver when needed. Senior Braxton Swaney (6-1, 225) is a bruising back.

“We had a 7-on-7 at Carmichaels, and Cam, Maurice and Braxton all looked good down there,” Jeffries said. “We have a nice mix with those guys because they can move around and have different running styles. We haven’t had this kind of depth in quite a while.”

Senior Devin George (5-10, 170) was an integral part of the running game last season, but he will line up at wide receiver this year. Sophomore Notorious Grooms (5-11, 165) is penciled in at receiver.

The Red Raiders will need to replace two-way lineman Christian Perkins, who is playing football at Cal (Pa.). Jeffries said you can’t replace someone like Perkins, but he has several returners in the mix and a few newcomers that he hopes will open some holes for his skill players.

Senior Gabe Ranker (6-2, 220) is a returning letterman, and sophomore Gary Smitley (6-3, 325) saw playing time last season. Senior Javontae Lewis (6-1, 280) played primarily defensive line last year, but he also played on the offensive line. Junior Kyle Ray (6-3, 255) has experience up front.

“The offensive line is pretty much our most inexperienced group,” Jeffries said. “Our offensive line coaches, Harry Kauffman and Eric Saylor, do a nice job coaching them up.”

Grooms, Cam Jackson and Tyler Hawk (6-0, 16) will start at defensive back, and they will rotate starters.

“When we went to that 7-on-7 at Carmichaels, we had some guys make some picks,” Jeffries said. “We had a good showing there and we hope that carries over. It has been exciting for these kids and they are ready to go this season.”

Senior Grant Barcheck will handle the kicking duties, but fellow senior Ryley Umbel should be in the mix and will punt.

Uniontown opened the season Friday night at crosstown rival Laurel Highlands before hosting Brownsville in Week 1. The Red Raiders are at Carrick before welcoming Albert Gallatin to Bill Power Stadium.

Valley, Windber, Brownsville (away), Waynesburg, Berlin-Brothersvalley and Carrick (home) round out the schedule.

“We are kind of hoping we have a good showing this year, build on it for next year and the intention is to go back to the WPIAL,” Jeffries said. “Waynesburg always has tough kids, and we are excited for Albert Gallatin and those Brownsville games because they will be packed crowds. That is what we were looking for in our schedule. We are playing some pretty solid teams in Berlin-Brothersvalley and Windber.”

Uniontown

Coach: Keith Jeffries

2021 record: 2-4

All-time record: 489-539-45

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 at Laurel Highlands, 7

9.2 Brownsville, 7

9.9 Carrick, 7

9.16 Albert Gallatin, 7

9.23 Valley, 7

9.30 at Windber, 7

10.7 at Brownsville, 7

10.14 Waynesburg, 7

10.21 at Berlin-Brothersvalley, 7

10.28 Carrick, 7

Tags: Uniontown