BY LISA HOLTZENDORF
Special to the Telegraph-Times-Monitor
Union County High School’s football team lost its third straight game as the Tigers lost 35-0 to visiting Hudson on Oct. 24.
The Tigers (2-6) are riddled with injuries and were without several starters as the Cobras (3-6) dominated on both sides of the ball.
Hudson struck early, with its first score coming after recovering a fumble deep in Union territory. Antony Doston punched the football into the end zone with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter. Christian Garrett’s extra point was good, making the score 7-0.
Despite getting good runs from Wyatt Elixson, C.J. Ivey and Alec McClellon in the first quarter, the Tigers were unable to put points on the board.
The Tigers were strong defensively to start the second quarter, with Kiptyn Shuler recording a sack for a big loss.
Hudson’s defense made its own big play, with Evan Vencevich returning an interception for a touchdown. Garrett added the PAT as the Cobras went up 14-0 at the 9:37 mark of the second quarter.
Caleb Hall had an impressive touchdown run for the Tigers on their next possession, but the score was called back by a penalty. The drive eventually ended with a punt.
Union’s Edward Durant had a sack, while Elixson made several tackles that held the Cobras to minimal gains. Hudson, though, was able to get another score in the half when Doston broke free on a touchdown run, putting the Cobras up 21-0 after Garrett’s PAT.
The teams exchanged possessions several times to start the second half before the Cobras scored their fourth touchdown with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Hudson put its final points on the board in the fourth quarter when Garrett threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open Darrell Howell.
The Tigers play their final game of the season when they host Chiefland on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. The Indians (8-1) are number three in the Florida High School Athletic Association/MaxPreps Rural Class power rankings.
