KENNETT SQUARE – Unionville coach Pat Clark knew the best way to defend Kennett would be to force the ball out of the hands of option quarterback Nick Dunlevy.
While the Indians were determined to make Kennett’s fullback beat them, it was their own fullback that had the biggest impact.
Unionville fullback Austin Hoffman-Reardon scored three touchdowns, while the Indians defense held Dunlevy to one yard on 15 carries, to lead Unionville to a 42-7 Ches-Mont American Division road win, Thursday night.
Hoffman-Reardon would have scored four TDs, but fumbled right at the goal line midway through the second quarter. Teammate Brandon Boon recovered it in the end zone for the opening score, and Hoffman-Reardon did it himself three more times in the first half to help Unionville (2-0 division, 4-2 overall) to a comfortable win.
“It feels pretty good to beat them on their turf,’ Hoffman-Reardon said. “It was all the offensive line. They played a heck of a game and opened holes for us all night.’
After a beautiful coffin corner punt by Alex Pechin to the Kennett one on the Indians’ first drive, the Blue Demons (0-3, 1-5) marched on for a 16-play drive that spanned into the second quarter. But the Indians stopped them at their own 39 and scored the next two drives to lead, 14-0, at the half.
“We had a penalty during that drive and when you play a team like Unionville, where you’re manufacturing four or five yards a pop against a good defense, you kind of lose your rhythm,’ Kennett coach Scott Green said. “I think we had the ball five, six, seven minutes, and any time you can keep their offense off the field it’s good. Even though we didn’t score, it was a good drive and we had it 0-0 at the end of the first, so I was pleased with that.’
Unionville ran for 226 of its 235 yards the final three quarters, getting 97 and a TD from Brendan Boyle and 51 yards from Hoffman-Reardon.
Kennett’s Myles Robinson broke runs of 46 and 60, but on the Blue Demons’ other 33 carries they were only able to scrounge up 86 yards. Kennett was the third option team Unionville has faced this season, following West Chester Henderson from the week before.
“I think that helped, on a short week,’ Unionville coach Pat Clark said. “We wanted to control Dunlevy and I think the kids did a good job attacking him. (Dunlevy) didn’t break any long ones and he’s probably the best option quarterback they’ve had (at Kennett).’
Robinson, a speedy sophomore, did show some promise for the future, breaking a tackle on the left side of the line on a third-and-two and reversing field for a 60-yard sprint for Kennett’s only TD.
“How Myles ran represented how we fight,’ Green said. “He cut back and we had three or four blocks that set him free. That represents the fight we have and the fight we have to have.’
Jason Hagen connected with Brody Fitzgerald for a 14-yard score for Unionville’s final points.
