Teams that can block and run the ball on offense and tackle and stop the run on defense will win a lot of football games. Unionville is starting to play the kind of football that has made the team a perennial power in the Ches-Mont League, and a 48-12 victory over Oxford last Friday night suggests that Unionville is hitting its stride as the season reaches its midway point.

Unionville took an early lead when running back Connor Schilling rumbled into the end zone from one-yard out, capping a 49-yard drive. Oxford blocked the extra point so it was 6-0 with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Schilling scored his second TD of the game, this time from 25 yards out, just a few minutes later, when Unionville once again capitalized on good field position. This touchdown drive covered 53 yards―all of it gained on the ground. A key to Unionville’s success was the offensive line, which was opening holes for the running backs. Michael Burns, Declan Boyle, Cole Sheehan, Austin Weeber, and Daniel Son were among the players helping Unionville win the battle in the trenches.

Oxford had played consistently well on the way to a 3-1 start to the 2018 season, but for a period of time in the first quarter and second quarter against Unionville, Oxford struggled to find its footing on offense, defense, and special teams. One issue was the tough loss to Penn Wood the previous Saturday, during which nine Oxford players were injured. While most of those players suited up for the game against Unionville, it’s a tough assignment to face the Indians on a short week.

On the first play of the second quarter, Unionville increased its lead to 20-0 when Schilling hauled in a six-yard touchdown pass as the Indians once again capitalized on a short field―this time Unionville started on the 16 of Oxford after officials ruled that the knee of Oxford's punter touched the ground before he got off the punt.

Unionville then made it 27-0 when free safety Jeffrey Lang intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown with 8:59 to play in the second quarter.

Oxford played much better from that point on, as the Hornets’ defense started to resemble the one that helped the team win three out of its first four games. Oxford forced Unionville to turn the ball over on downs with 3:50 left to play in the second quarter. Oxford’s offense followed that up with its best drive of the game up to that point. Wide receiver Brandon McWilliams turned in two nice plays running the ball to move the chains for Oxford.

In the third quarter, Oxford quarterback Brett Kochmansky threw a nice pass to McWilliams that turned into a 57-yard play. Kochmansky, who was one of the players who was banged up against Penn Wood, helped his team reach the end zone with carries of 16 yards and then 3 yards for the score. It was 27-6.

Two minutes later, Unionville answered back when running back Nick Schnaars scored on a 14-yard run right up the middle. Schilling then reached the end zone from two yards out to allow Unionville to complete the two-point conversion, making it 35-6.

The Indians added to the lead about halfway through the fourth quarter when sophomore running back Wes Grim scored on a three-yard touchdown run.

Oxford delivered a highlight when junior quarterback Thomas Repetz threw a beautiful pass over the middle to Justin Neskie for a 51-yard touchdown. It was 42-12.

The Indians capped the scoring, and the 48-12 win, with a 70-yard drive that culminated when Kevin Henry scored on a two-yard run.

The Indians will now take on Haverford in a home game at 7 p.m. on Friday night, while Oxford travels to Sun Valley for a 7 p.m. game on the same night.