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75th edition of the UNICO Game ends in a 14-14 tie

Tagged under: All-Stars, District 2, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| May 29, 2026

The pomp and circumstance leading up to this special edition of the UNICO Game, the de-facto Senior bowl for the Wyoming Valley Conference, was certainly special.  WVC legends Greg Skrepenak, Qadry and Raghib Ismail came to town to promote not only the game but the fundraising efforts spearheaded by the Anzalone Law Offices.  The game certainly felt special leading up to kickoff.

Once the game got underway, it was a treat.  Both the Pioneers and Miners had extended drives leading to scores in the 1st half, and an exciting 3rd quarter had the crowd excited.  Unfortunately, due to a sideline incident involving players from both teams that resulted in 2 player ejections, the officials warned both sidelines that further altercations would lead to the game being called.  This was what eventually occurred, as a further incident late in the 4th quarter prompted the officials to call the game with 1:52 left in the 4th quarter, and the 75th edition of the UNICO game ended in a 14-14 tie.  Wilkes-Barre Area QB Jake Howe, a Lock Haven commit, was named the game MVP.

After several possession exchanges from both squads, the Pioneers really got their ground game going in the 2nd quarter led by Lake-Lehman RB Jaydon Skipalis and capped by Pittston Area FB Brody Spindler who scored on a 4-yard run to give the Pioneers a 7-0 lead with 5:02 to go in the 1st half.

The Miners responded with a well executed drive of their own and it was Wyoming Area RB Trustin Johnson getting it done on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 7 just before the half.

The Pioneers received the 2nd half kickoff, and they ran a lengthy drive that ate up a lot of the clock.  Pittston Area QB Paulie Ferentino and Dallas’ Logan Geskey alternated at QB and had success with the wildcat formation, but the start of this drive was again Jaydon Skipalis who scored on a tough 12-yard run to give the Pioneers a 14-7 lead with 3:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

The Miners responded almost immediately on the subsequent drive as Jake Howe hit Wilkes-Barre Area WR Kevon Creech on a 61-yard TD strike to tie the game once again at 14-14 with 1:58 left in the the 3rd quarter.  Unfortunately, on the ensuing kickoff there was an altercation between both teams that occurred on the Pioneer sideline.  2 players were ejected, and the officials warned both sidelines that any further incidents may result in the game being called.

As the 4th quarter got underway, both teams had drives that stalled near midfield and the excitement was growing.  With under 5 minutes to play, the Pioneers began an inspired drive with runs by Spindler and Skipalis along with several wildcat runs by Geskey.  A long Skipalis run was hampered by a penalty, and later in the drive Geskey lined up under center and hit Wyoming Valley West WR John Richards on a terrific reception down the left sideline.  Unfortunately, multiple flags for personal fouls were thrown near midfield as the play was ending which resulted in the officials calling the game.

Skipalis had over 100 yards rushing on the night for the Pioneers, a terrific performance.  For the Miners, Howe had a great night through the air and on the ground and was named the game MVP.  Overall, the game was a great one and the end result on the scoreboard was certainly overshadowed by the pre-game announcement that over $40,000 was raised for local charities.

Check out the photo gallery from the game, courtesy of Sherryl Samuel: PHOTO GALLERY

You can watch the game here, courtesy of TeeJay Productions:  75th Annual UNICO Game 2026

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