Union stings Edinburg, keeps record perfect
By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
Sept. 18, 2004
UNION The Union Yellowjackets improved to 4-0 overall and in Region 3-1A with a 44-8 whipping of Edinburg Friday night.
The Eagles, who were winless a year ago, fell to 0-4 overall and in region play this year.
After punting on its first possession, Union scored on its next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead with 5:02 still to be played in the first quarter.
The first score was set up by a 14-yard Eagle punt. Anthony Johnson capped the two-play, 18-yard scoring drive with a 6-yard run. Demond McDonald added the first of his six extra points for a 7-0 lead.
Richard Ripley set up the second touchdown with a fumble recovery at the Edinburg 23 on the Eagles' first play following the score. Three plays later, Johnson went six yards around right end for the second of his three touchdowns.
Jamelle Blalock put the Jackets back in business when he picked off a Brad Hughes pass and returned it 57 yards to the Eagle 3 as the first quarter ended.
On the first play of the second quarter, Jacob Casey hit Blalock on a quick slant in for a 3-yard scoring toss to put Union up 21-0.
The Eagles made it 23-0 when a high snap on a punt trickled through the back of the end zone for a safety with 9:04 to go in the second quarter.
On the second play following the free kick, Johnson raced 55 yards around left end for a 30-0 lead.
It took just one play for the Jackets to reach the end zone on their next possession as Casey hit McDonald on a fly pattern for a 60-yard score. McDonald's PAT sent Union into halftime with a 37-0 lead.
In the half, Union racked up 214 total yards with 151 coming on the ground. Johnson had seven carries for 133 yards and did not touch the ball again in the second half.
The Jackets held Edinburg to minus-10 yards in the first half on 28 plays from scrimmage.
Darron Thames quickly put the Jackets up 44-0 when he returned the second half kickoff 80 yards up the middle to the end zone.
That would be all the scoring for Union as Breland turned the game over to the subs.
Edinburg took advantage and put together a nine-play scoring drive that started late in the third quarter and ended 64 yards later with 9:51 to go in the game on a 19-yard touchdown run by Stephen Summers. C.J. Levy ran in a two-point conversion.
Summers' score snapped a string of 11 scoreless quarters by the Jackets.
Edinburg covered 58 yards on its final possession before time expired with the Eagles at the Union 8.
Union finished with 230 total yards to 113 for Edinburg.
