Knights even mark with win over Union
By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
September 7, 2002
West Lauderdale was a might shorthanded Friday night, but the Knights still managed to hold off Union for a 22-12 victory at Collinsville.
Among the missing with various injuries were quarterback C. Jay Fountain, lineman Richie McAlister, and linebacker Caleb Dulaney.
The win evened the Knights' record at 1-1, while Union fell to 0-2. The Yellowjackets had a 234-172 advantage in total yards.
Union held the Knights to negative yardage on 13 of their 48 plays from scrimmage, including tackling Carlessio Blanks for losses seven times.
The Jackets stung the Knights early as quarterback Quincy Patrick kept around left end and raced 74 yards to the end zone with 8:01 left in the opening period. The extra point failed.
Union started its next series at the West 42 following a 20-yard punt. The Jackets reached the 10 before coming away empty. The inability to get another score would prove costly.
After stopping the Jackets, West put together a nine-play, 87-yard scoring drive that saw Blanks get five carries for 50 yards. He got the touchdown on a 5-yard run. Michael Pogue kicked the extra point to put West up 7-6 with 10:13 to go in the second quarter.
Union reached the West 39 late in the first half before turning the ball over on downs.
Union opened the second half with an eight-play, 71-yard scoring drive. Anthony Johnson had five carries for 52 yards on the drive. Patrick got the touchdown on a 12-yard bootleg around left end with 7:20 left in the third quarter. A two-point try failed, leaving Union up 12-7.
Following a 17-yard punt, the Knights started at their 42 and had third-and-1 at the Union 20 as the third period ended.
West caught Union napping to start the fourth quarter as quarterback Daniel Huggins took off while the rest of the Knights remained in their stance. Huggins' 20-yard scoring run put the Knights up 13-12 and a two-point run by Blanks extended the lead to 15-12.
West removed the suspense with 1:22 left as Blanks scored on a 17-yard run. A 27-yard gallop on the previous play helped him finish with 111 yards on 26 rushes. Pogue added the PAT.
Johnson led Union with 94 yards on 13 carries, while Patrick gained 89 yards on 14 rushes.
