Telegraph Staff Writer
Union County High School is attempting to win a second-round playoff game for the third straight year, but the Tigers will have to do so on the road against a 9-1 Hilliard team in a Region 3-1A semifinal on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for online purchase only at gofan.co. Enter “Union County High School” in the search bar and click on the appropriate links.
Hilliard had a first-round bye as the region’s second seed, while third-seed Union advanced by defeating sixth-seed Trenton 48-13 (see related story). Friday’s winner will either travel to play top-seed Chiefland or host fourth-seed Lafayette for the Region 4 championship on Friday, Nov. 26.
The Red Flashes have qualified for the postseason 13 years, with 2021 marking their third straight year in the playoffs. They have a postseason record of 4-12 and have never advanced beyond the second round.
Hilliard played five teams that finished with winning records in the regular season, with all five qualifying for the playoffs: Class 1A Lafayette (13-0 win), Class 3A Crescent City (42-21 win), Class 1A Trenton (28-21 win), Class 1A Blountstown (52-22 loss) and Class 1A Holmes County (34-7 win).
The Red Flashes are scoring 34.7 points per game, while opponents are averaging 18.2 points per game.
Led by senior D.J. Coston, Hilliard is rushing for an average of 184.1 yards per game. Coston has 1,040 yards and 12 touchdowns on 143 carries.
The passing game averages 129.1 yards per game, with junior quarterback Lyle Bennett having completed 87-of-171 passes for 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s thrown only five interceptions.
Dylan Coston, a senior, is the leading receiver, with 25 catches for 388 yards and four touchdowns. Bradyn Matto, a sophomore, has 352 yards and five touchdowns on 19 receptions, while D.J. Coston has 297 yards and three touchdowns on 24 receptions.
Hilliard’s defense has created 20 turnovers (10 fumble recoveries, 10 interceptions). The Red Flashes’ leading tackler is junior linebacker Walker Avera with 74, while senior defensive end Carson Newkirk has 65 (15 for loss). Newkirk leads the team in sacks with eight.
The Red Flashes also have 55 and 50 tackles, respectively, from sophomore linebackers Damon Kibler and Colton Conner.
