Strength in small numbers Union/A-C Valley gets a lot from its limited roster
Talk about squeezing the most out of what he's got.
Brad Dittman and his Union/A-C Valley coaching staff have become experts at it.
The Falcon Knights have a 25-player roster, yet have made the District 9 playoffs three consecutive years.
“People think because we're a consolidated program, we should have more kids,” Dittman said. “But these are small high schools, maybe 40 to a class in both.
“The kids try to recruit more players, but there's only so many boys there.”
Union/A-C Valley is coming off a 5-2 season, the second loss being a 12-10 decision to Smethport in the first round of the Class A playoffs. The team dropped a regular season game to Redbank Valley, 10-7.
“We lost two games by five total points,” Dittman said. “We're that close. It's time for us to take the next step.
“We haven't won a playoff game yet. We need to get over that hurdle.”
Carter Terwint, a senior offensive lineman-linebacker, said his goal is to condition himself and his teammates that much harder.
“If we were in a little better shape late in games, maybe we don't lose either one of those games,” Terwint said. “Maybe that's the difference.”
The Falcon Knights return six starters on offense: wide receiver Caden Rainey, tackle-guard Terwint, guard-tackle Colton Murray, guard-tackle Mike Card, lineman Landon Chalmers and wide receiver Skyler Roxbury.
With an experienced offensive line and two solid receivers, Union/A-C Valley is working on replacing vacancies at quarterback and running back.
Card is being moved to running back. Dawson Kamper, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, may see some time there along with Rainey.
The quarterback will either be 6-5 junior Bailey Crissman, Camper or Rainey.
“Caden can do a lot of things for us and we plan to take advantage of that,” Dittman said.
Terwint and Rainey return as District 9 Small School Defensive MVP and Offensive MVP, respectively. Terwint led the Falcon Knights with 62 tackles from his middle linebacker position, including 43 solo stops.
Rainey scored touchdowns four different ways — two rushing, two receiving, two punt returns and an interception return.
“All I want to do is see us put everything together and win a playoff game,” Rainey said.
Defense may be the Falcon Knights' biggest strength this year. Eight starters return, including Rainey at cornerback and Roxbury at tackle, Card, Murray and Landon Chalmers along the defensive line, Terwint, Bailey Crissman and Andrew Verostek at linebacker.
Card had four quarterback sacks last season, Chalmers three. Rainey had four interceptions, Roxbury three. Crissman had 30 tackles.
“We've got a lot of hard-working, seasoned kids on that side of the ball,” Dittman said. “It's a good unit that plays tough, physical football.”
Terwint is at the heart of it.
“I make sure we play physical,” Terwint said. “Our defense needs to take control of games this year.”
Terwint also calls the plays on defense and makes sure everyone is in the proper place.
“If someone's in the wrong spot, I'm blaming No. 59 (Terwint),” Dittman said, smiling.
“I'm fine with that,” Terwint said. “I want that responsibility.”
Murray returns as Union/A-C Valley's place-kicker. He converted 13 of 19 PATs last year and booted one field goal.
“I challenge these guys in practice,” Dittman said. “Because we have small numbers, everybody plays a lot. That means everyone has to be in shape to do that.
“These kids don't complain. They know what we're up against and they're up for that challenge. I respect them for that.”
UNION/A-C VALLEY
2021 Schedule
Aug. 27-at Brockway, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 3-SHEFFIELD, 7 p.m.; Sept. 10-at Bucktail, 7 p.m.; Sept. 17-at Otto-Eldred, 7 p.m.; Sept. 24-ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1-PORT ALLEGANY, 7 p.m.; Oct. 7-at Keystone, 7 p.m.; Oct. 15-at Cameron County, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22-REDBANK VALLEY, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29-COUDERSPORT, 7 p.m.
2020 results (5-2)
Brockway 37-7, Keystone 14-7, Curwensville 45-0, Redbank Valley 7-10, South Side 21-14, Brockway 40-7
Playoffs
Smethport 10-12
