Unionville survives chaos for long-awaited win against Academy Park

EAST MARLBOROUGH — After Tommy McGinnis hit Brody McLaughlin for a 35-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, and Jack Law picked off a pass on Academy Park’s ensuing drive, it felt like Unionville could finally coast to its first win in almost a year. But, no. There would be no coasting.

There would be chaos. After a frantic final couple minutes of regulation, and an overtime, Unionville walked away a 32-26 winner, surviving a game to remember. “The biggest part for me is it it felt really good for the kids,” Unionville coach Tim Murphy said.



“We have a great group of kids that have really worked hard with a lot of things, and to have them be able to celebrate a win for the first time for us in a while is huge.” McLaughlin’s score put Unionville (1-1) up, 26-20, with just under seven minutes to go. There was just over five minutes left when Law made his interception.

That’s where things went sideways. On Unionville’s next play, McGinnis was hit as he threw and Lester Roberts came down with the interception for Academy Park (0-2), to resuscitate its chances. The Knights converted a fourth-and-eight, following a false start, and Marquise Spross tied the game three plays later on a one-yard TD run.

His point after attempt was blocked, keeping the score knotted at 26. With 62 seconds left, Unionville got the ball back and went three-and-out. The long snap sailed over Nic DiMatteo’s head and into the end zone.

DiMatteo was able to scoop the ball up and punt the ball to the Longhorn nine. Academy Park took over with 15 seconds left, but lost 13 yards the following three plays, as regulation ended. In overtime, the Knights tried a reverse on third down from the nine, but fumbled the exchange and Unionville’s Demetris Getsos recovered.

“It hurts when you fight and claw back and you can’t execute plays to put you over the top, on offense or defense or specials,” Academy Park coach Jason Vosheski said. On Unionville’s second play in overtime, Owen Simcox found pay dirt from a yard out to clinch the Longhorns’ first win since September 10, 2023. “I was I was so happy,” McGinnis said.

“First win in almost a year, it was great. Against Academy Park, they were a heck of a team. They beat us the last 3 years.

It was great.” McGinnis set personal bests in passing yards (239) and touchdowns (three), as Unionville used the big play for success more than grinding out drives. McGinnis threw a 65-yard TD to Drew Puleo on Unionville’s first play of the second half, to take a 13-8 lead.

That duo connected three times for 130 yards, with the third setting up a 10-yard TD from McGinnis to Nolan Holt. Academy Park’s KJ Moore made seemingly as many plays on the other side, throwing for 210 yards and two scores, both to Daniel Gbeaday. Neither team broke 100 yards on the ground despite 30-plus carries, and Unionville finished with 302 total yards to AP’s 308.

“Just to be able to get the reward of a “W” is big,” Murphy said. “Sometimes you just need to taste it and and understand what it feels like. So to be able to go across the goal line and and have that feeling and get that confidence that you can do it, I think it’s huge for us.

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