BY LISA HOLTZENDORF
Special to the Telegraph-Times-Monitor
Union County High School’s football team scored first, but the host Trinity Catholic Celtics responded with 17 unanswered points in defeating the Tigers 17-6 on Oct. 17.
Both teams picked up plenty of flags, with Trinity being penalized for 145 yards and Union penalized for 70. Despite have fewer yards assessed against them, the Tigers had penalties that negated scores and big plays.
The Tigers (2-5), who host Hudson on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m., failed to capitalize on good field position on two first-quarter possessions, but the second quarter would see them strike first as quarterback Cadenz Merriex hit Alec McClellon with a 5-yard touchdown pass. Jeffrey Brugh’s extra point was blocked, resulting in a 6-0 Union lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
Union’s lead didn’t last long. A good kickoff return put the Celtics (3-4) in good position at their own 45-yard line. Running back Wyatt Lucas then burst through the Tigers’ defense for a 55-yard touchdown. Andrew Leonard’s PAT put Trinity up 7-6.
Trinity punched the ball into the end zone again on a 9-yard run with three minutes to go in the second quarter. The extra point by Leonard was good as the Celtics extended their lead to 14-6.
A penalty negated a Union score, which would have allowed the Tigers to make it a 2-point, 1-point or tie game at halftime.
Union’s defense stepped up in the third quarter, not allowing any points.
The Tigers’ offense had a good drive going in the closing minutes of the third quarter until a Merriex pass was intercepted by Trinity’s Messiah Bailey.
Union’s defense stepped up and created its own turnover, with McClellon intercepting a pass and giving his team the ball at its own 19-yard line.
The Celtics added the final points on a 37-yard field goal by Leonard in the fourth quarter.
When Union plays Class 3A Hudson (2-6), it will be the third straight game the Tigers have played against a team with just two wins. The Tigers are hoping to win this matchup after losing to Zarephath Academy and then Trinity Catholic.
Hudson, though, which is coming off a bye, won its last game, defeating Anclote 9-0 on Oct. 10. The Cobras have scored more than 10 points just twice and are being outscored by an average of 25-8 per game.
It will be a Pink-Out Game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in honor of those who currently have cancer or who have had cancer in the past.
