Connellsville, Pa. – The Falcons are riding a wave of optimism after securing their first Class 5A Big East Conference win of the year. A 24-21 triumph over Franklin Regional, sealed by Tucker Beaman’s 35‑yard field goal with 1:54 left, puts the team at 1‑4 overall and 4‑5 in conference play.
Looking ahead to Thursday night
Next up is a Thursday‑night clash with Fox Chapel (0‑5, 1‑8) at 7 p.m. The game marks the first time the Falcons will play on a Thursday, a scheduling change that head coach Jace McClean says required a slight adjustment to practice routines and extra recovery time for players after Friday’s win.
“This week’s game vs. Fox Chapel is going to be an interesting one,” McClean said. “We’ve never played on a Thursday before. This is new territory for all of us. We had to adjust our practice schedule a little and allow a few kids to recover from Friday’s game.”
Senior night memories
McClean highlighted the significance of the recent victory, noting that it came on Senior night at Falcon Stadium. He praised the seniors for stepping up and said the game will be remembered for years to come.
“Senior night is a game that most kids will remember for the rest of their lives and this game will fall into that category,” McClean said. “We played one of our best games of the year. We finally played a full four quarters of football. The game was very physical and it was back and forth all night.”
Key contributors included senior Linkon Keller, who rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown, and junior Jeremy Jenkins, who added two rushing touchdowns. The decisive field goal came from sophomore Tucker Beaman.
Coach’s philosophy
McClean emphasized a process‑oriented approach, urging his players to focus on each play rather than the final score.
“I keep telling the kids not to focus on the end result, but to play each play like it’s their last,” he said. “If you win that play and keep adding them up, then you will more than likely win the game.”
He added that the season’s primary goal was continual improvement.
“Our main goal at the beginning of the year was to become a better football team every week. This week will show if we were successful or not.”
Community support
The Falcons’ recent win has energized the Connellsville community, with parents and alumni gathering at Falcon Stadium to cheer on the team. Local businesses have shown support by providing snacks and encouraging messages for the players.
As the Falcons prepare for Thursday’s matchup, the focus remains on teamwork, discipline, and the hope of ending the season with a .500 record—a milestone that would mark a strong start to the program’s return to WPIAL competition.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for parking and to wear the team colors to show their support for the young athletes who represent Connellsville’s proud football tradition.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
