United lights up the scoreboard for 63; Thomas Brown shines

HANOVERTON, Ohio (WKBN) – United took the upper hand to EOAC supremacy by topping visiting-East Palestine, 63-24, to secure its spot alone in first place.

The Golden Eagles improve to 6-1 (4-0 in EOAC) as they’ve now won four consecutive games.

United’s quarterback Thomas Brown ran for 3 long touchdowns (54, 63, 67) and tossed for another 2 scores (80, 82).

East Palestine (6-1) suffered their first setback of the year as their perfect season came to an end.

United has now won their last eight meetings with the Bulldogs, dating back to 2018.

East Palestine’s Colton Early returned the opening kickoff back 59-yards to place the ball deep into United’s territory.

From there, Clark Rutledge – scrambled to his right – finding Kealin Simon along the sideline in the end zone for the game’s first score.

After Sydney Casto’s long kickoff return was called back due to a penalty, the Golden Eagles wasted no time to respond to the Bulldogs touchdown.

United’s junior signal caller Thomas Brown used his legs to pick up 37-yards.

M’Kyan Haynes finished the drive with a powerful 27-yard run to paydirt to give the Golden Eagles the advantage.

The next time United possessed the ball on offense, Brown dashed 63-yards to extend their lead to 8-points midway through the first quarter (14-6).

RJ May’s 6-yard TD catch from Clark Rutledge cut into the Golden Eagles’ lead in the second frame.

The key play of the drive was a 4th-and-9 play from United’s 20 yard line. The Bulldogs’ quarterback Rutledge gained 12 yards to keep the drive alive.

Back came United, fifty seconds later, Brown darted his way to the endzone from 54 yards away to grab a 9-points lead (21-12).

Not to be outdone, East Palestine got a big return from May that placed the ball inside the red zone.

Rutledge took it in from a yard away, standing up, to get back within three points of United.

Again, East Palestine scores; United has an answer. Brown’s 67-yard touchdown run was the response the Golden Eagles needed late in the second quarter to take a 28-18 advantage.

Just before the half, United forced a East Palestine punt. Then, Brown threw a perfectly placed pass to Kota Shasteen for a 80-yard touchdown connection (35-18).

To begin the second half, United went back to work. Brown picked up 25 yards to set up the Golden Eagles’ next score.

Haynes’ came around for a handoff from Brown to scamper in from 9-yards out to give the home team a 42-18 lead.

The Golden Eagles registered another quick score. This time, Brown to Shasteen garnered another big gainer, from 82-yards away to take a 31-point advantage (49-18).

Rutledge finished the third quarter with a long pass to May to place the ball inside the Eagles’ 10-yard line.

On 4th down, May hauled in a 7-yard touchdown to cut into the Eagles advantage (49-24).

For United, the Eagles senior running back Braden Schwartz had a big run that set up his 3-yard plunge for six-points.

United’s sophomore kicker Liam Jones booted through the uprights, 9 extra points on 9 attempts.

Next week, East Palestine is on the road again when they’ll travel to Leetonia. United will play host to Valley Christian next Friday as well.

Scoring Chart
United, 63-24 (Final)
First quarter
E – Kealin Simon, 6-yard TD catch from Clark Rutledge (kick failed, 11:01)
U – M’Kyan Haynes, 7-yard TD run (Liam Jones kick, 8:22)
U – Thomas Brown, 63-yard TD run (Jones kick, 6:20)
Second quarter
E – RJ May, 6-yard TD catch from Rutledge (pass failed, 8:22)
U – Brown, 54-yard TD run (Jones kick, 7:32)
E – Rutledge, 1-yard TD run (pass failed, 4:09)
U – Brown, 67-yard TD run (Jones kick, 3:25)
U – Kota Shasteen, 80-yard TD catch from Brown (Jones kick, 2:02)
Third quarter
U – Haynes, 9-yard TD run (Jones kick, 8:22)
U – Shasteen, 82-yard TD catch from Brown (Jones kick, 6:57)
Fourth quarter
E – May, 7-yard TD catch from Rutledge (pass failed, 9:19)
U – Braden Schwartz, 3-yard TD run (Jones kick, 8:27)
U – Caden Schonauer, 48-yard INT TD return (Jones kick, 5:23)

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