Special to the Telegraph-Times-Monitor
Quarterback A.J. Cortese scored two touchdowns as part of a ground game that generated more than 400 yards, while Daylyn Diston had two interception returns for touchdowns in the Union County High School football team’s 52-14 win over second-seed and host Hilliard in the Nov. 19 Region 3-1A semifinals.
The third-seed Tigers (12-0) travel to play top-seed Chiefland (10-1) for the Region 3 championship on Friday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Union, which has won all but one of its games by double digits, were represented by captains Alex Dure, Aidan Newsom, Martin Odum and Curran Webb for the coin toss. Hilliard (9-2) won the toss and deferred, resulting in the Tigers receiving the opening kickoff.
Dayquan Diston returned the kick 18 yards to the Union 43. Cortese handed off to Daylyn Diston, who gained big yardage around right end on first down, but a penalty negated the play. Rayvon Durant had a 5-yard run up the middle on the replay of first down, dragging a Hilliard defender along for the ride. On second down, Durant, who rushed for 159 yards on 14 carries, took a pitch around right end for a 57-yard gain before being stopped just short of the goal line. Caleb Crawford, who rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries, took a handoff on the following play and bounced off a couple of defenders for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead at the 10:38 mark of the first quarter. Johnny Edwards’ extra-point attempt hit the upright and was no good.
D.J. Coston had a 10-yard run on the Red Flashes’ first possession, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an illegal-procedure penalty Hilliard received before that. It was a three-and-out, with a short punt being downed at the Union 48.
Durant had carries on the first two plays of the ensuing series and picked up a first down. A mishandled pitch on the third play, however, resulted in a fumble recovery for the Flashes at their own 37-yard line.
A penalty helped Hilliard gain a first down, but a tackle behind the line of scrimmage by Malcolm Odum and a penalty on the Flashes had them facing second-and-24. After two incomplete passes, Hilliard punted.
The Tigers’ offense took over at its own 39. Runs by Cortese and Durant resulted in first downs. The Flashes dug their heels in and had Union facing fourth-and-1. The Tigers successfully went for it, picking up the necessary yardage and more. Dayviontae “Bubba” Thompson got the call on the next three plays, with the third being a 12-yard touchdown run with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter. On the two-point conversion attempt, Crawford, twisting and turning, powered his way through the middle and into the end zone to make it a 14-0 game.
A good return on the ensuing kickoff, plus a penalty, had the Flashes starting their next drive at the 50. A penalty for a horse-collar tackle then gave Hilliard a first down at the Union 37. Webb was attempting to bring pressure on quarterback Lyle Bennett on the next play, but an official was in Webb’s way, allowing Bennett to complete a 17-yard pass for a first down at the 20. Coston took the ball around left end and scored on a run from there. With 1:17 remaining in the first quarter, the score stood at 14-7.
Daylyn Diston received the following kickoff and was off to the races before finally being brought down at the Hilliard 2-yard line. A penalty on the play, however, had the Tigers instead beginning a drive at their own 32. Runs by Crawford and Durant helped Union gain a first down, but another penalty had the Tigers facing a long-yardage situation. They eventually punted for the first time on the night.
Hilliard, which had the momentum at that point, gained first downs on a run by Coston and a penalty against Union. Then, with 9:55 to play in the second quarter, Bennett found Dylan Coston wide open for a 56-yard touchdown. After a successful extra point, the Flashes had tied the game at 14-14.
The Tigers had a good drive going, picking first downs on runs by Daylyn Diston, Cortese and Durant, but another mishandled pitch resulted in a fumble that Hilliard was all over, recovering at the Union 44. The Flashes drove the ball deep into Union territory, but the Tigers’ defense, despite being hurt by penalty yardage, held and forced Hilliard to settle for a field goal, which was no good.
Union’s offense, feeling a sense of urgency it hadn’t experienced since early in the season, went to work. First downs were gained by Daylyn Diston, Cortese, Durant and Zacari Lee, setting the stage for Durant’s 9-yard touchdown run. Edwards added the PAT to make the score 21-14 with 2:25 remaining in the first half.
Hilliard, after receiving the second-half kickoff, did pick up two first downs on a run by D.J. Coston and a pass by Bennett, but the Flashes would eventually punt.
The Tigers marched down the field, gaining first downs courtesy of Daylyn Diston, Durant and Cortese. Hilliard’s defense, though, made a stand, but Union increased its lead anyway, with Edwards kicking a 33-yard field goal. That made the score 24-14 at the 6:09 mark of the third quarter.
A pass-interference penalty gave Hilliard a first down on its next series. The Tigers’ defense had seen enough and took charge, with Gavin Jenkins stepping in front of a Bennett pass and coming down with an interception.
Union’s offense was able to capitalize. With Durant, Daylyn Diston, Crawford, Dayquan Diston and Thompson all alternating carries, the Tigers set Cortese up for a 1-yard touchdown run. Edwards kicked the extra point for a 31-14 lead.
Bennett completed a third-down pass to pick up a first down for the Flashes on the following series, but Daylyn Diston read another pass perfectly, stepping in front of it and taking it back 51 yards for a touchdown with 1:27 left in the third quarter. After Edwards’ PAT, the Tigers led 38-14.
The next time the Flashes had the ball, Webb made a tackle for a loss, while Bennett was sacked, with the eventual result being a punt.
Union’s offense had finally found its rhythm. The running backs continued to eat up yardage, with Crawford picking up first downs on back-to-back carries. Cortese, who rushed for 114 yards on 11 carries, kept the drive alive on a fourth-down run before later breaking free for a touchdown run. Edwards kicked the extra point to make the score 45-14.
Hilliard began its next drive at the Union 47 and picked up a first down on a run by D.J. Coston. Diston then made his second huge play of the night, intercepting a pass and taking its back for an 85-yard pick-six. Edwards’ PAT capped the scoring.
“We had a lot of mistakes in the first half — lots of penalties, which is uncharacteristic of us — and we were backed against the wall,” Union Head Coach Andrew Thomas said, adding, “We had to eliminate the mistakes, eliminate turnovers and missed assignments, and fix things after halftime in order to win the ballgame.”
Webb, Trevor Holtzendorf and Malcolm Odum each had seven tackles to lead the defense. Bresee, Thompson and Webb each had one sack.
Union businesses are again asked to decorate their storefronts, while fans are asked to be present with their signs and purple and gold balloons to help send the team off on its way to Chiefland. The Tigers will depart at approximately 4:15 p.m. From the field house, they will turn right on S.R. 121, pass by Lake Butler Middle School, and turn left on S.R. 100. The team will travel down Main Street before turning left onto C.R. 231 and passing by Spires and Skips Deli.
