Union City Scores on Final Play, Falls to Cambridge Springs 35-6

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS – Union City fell to Cambridge Springs 35-6 Friday night, but the Bears continued to battle until the final second, scoring on the last play of the game to avoid the shutout.

Union City had an early opportunity to take the lead after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff at the Cambridge Springs 37-yard line. Garrett Miller and Danny Smith helped move the Bears into Blue Devils territory, but Union City was unable to convert a fourth-down opportunity when Jayden Betcher was stopped short of the first down.

Cambridge Springs responded with a long scoring drive. Dale Smith broke loose for a 42-yard run, and the Blue Devils eventually reached the Union City red zone before scoring on a touchdown pass to Wyatt Keem. Everett Moraski added the extra point to make it 7-0.

Cambridge Springs added another touchdown late in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. The Blue Devils extended the margin to 21-0 in the second quarter and carried that advantage into halftime.

Advertisement

Union City continued to work offensively, with Miller and Smith providing much of the running game while Betcher and Kane Gregor connected on several completions. The Bears were able to put together drives, but Cambridge Springs repeatedly stopped Union City before it could reach the end zone.

Cambridge Springs added a touchdown early in the third quarter to make it 28-0. The Blue Devils later extended the lead to 35-0 in the fourth quarter, putting the mercy rule into effect and starting a continuous clock.

Union City, however, continued to push. The Bears put together their strongest drive of the night late in the fourth quarter, moving inside the Cambridge Springs 10-yard line with less than a minute remaining.

With three seconds showing, Union City called timeout rather than allow the clock to expire. The Bears ran one final play with one second remaining. Betcher rolled to his right and threw toward the end zone, where the pass was caught for a touchdown.

Several officials threw flags following the play, creating confusion about what would be recorded as the final score. The penalty was against Cambridge Springs for a personal foul following the touchdown but the officials did not immediately signal the score. The six points were briefly placed on the scoreboard before being removed.

Following the game, Union City head coach Michael Wydro told UC Today that believed the touchdown should count.

“Due to the personal fouls following it (the touchdown) after the play, the officials signaled both teams to separate and the game be over. We were not allotted an attempt at an extra point,” said Wydro. “It should have counted and been a final score of 35-6.”

The final score was subsequently confirmed Monday morning by Cambridge Springs Athletic Director Justin Grubbs in an email to UC Today.

“The officials have confirmed that UC scored on the final play,” said Grubbs. “The final score was 35-6.”

Individual statistics for Union City were not available by press time.