Union Shocks the State in WPIAL Championship Upset of Bishop Canevin 26-0

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Nate Grella | November 25, 2022

Last season Kim Niedbala won the 6A WPIAL championship with coach Bob Palko’s Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils. A year later, he’s a champion once again, and emphatically.

Now a head man, Niedbala’s Union Scotties took down the defending WPIAL Champion Bishop Canevin Crusaders 26-0. Dressed in all Union blue and sporting a big grin watching it all? Bob Palko.

The Scotties win marks the first time a double digit seed has won the WPIAL title in the six classification era, and the first since 2014’s Central Valley Warriors.

Union didn’t just upset the top ranked WPIAL team Friday afternoon, but they did it easily. A four turnover performance, two of which ended in the endzone, were the lynchpin in the shutout. On offense, Braylon Thomas was able to convert key downs in the first half that kept the Crusaders high flying offense off the field

The Scotties started hot on defense early, holding the Crusaders to a three and out behind a combo sack by Mark Stanley and Brennan Porter. On the following drive, Braylon Thomas dove into the endzone from six yards out after converting a fourth and long. Late in the first, the Scotties were up 8-0.

Braylon Thomas dives for the Pylon for the Scotties first TD.

The second quarter was defined by two long Scotties drives that ended without any points. The first was held up on 4th and two by the Crusaders. The second came after a Jason Cross fumble, with Braylon Thomas diving for the endzone on 4th down, only to miss the pylon and turn it over on downs to the Crusaders.

The Scotties would be able to turn turnovers into points in the 3rd quarter. After forcing a punt on the BC opening drive, Thomas found the endzone on a QB draw from midfield. Union 14-0.

Thomas finds the endzone again to make it 14-0

Three plays later, the defense made a statement. Matt Stanley pried the ball free from Marquis Carter and ran into the endzone.

The Scotties defense wasn’t done scoring either. Mike Gunn picked off a pass on the Crusaders next drive and took it back 60 yards. With nearly a quarter and a half to play, the defending WPIAL champs were down 26-0.

Matt Stanley thieves the ball away from Carter and sprints in for the Scotties

The Crusaders couldn’t get anything on offense. The first reason for that? The Scotties dominating defense. On 19 rushes, the Scotties held the Crusaders to 9 total, 1000 yard rusher Marquis Carter to only 2.

The second reason? Penalties. 14 penalties led to 136 yards for the afternoon for the Crusaders. Only 43 yards less than their total yardage for the game.

Nonetheless, the win is history for the Union Scotties. It’s their first WPIAL title since 1958, and their first title outright, as that title came as a tie from Avonworth.

The Scotties will play the winner of Reynolds and Port Allegany for a chance to go to Cumberland Valley. A 10 seed at the beginning of the WPIAL playoffs, to now WPIAL champions, the sky’s the limit for what the Union Scotties can accomplish.

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