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Union County Tigers win over West Nassau Union County Tigers win over West NassauStory and Photos by ADRIAN WILLIAMS CHAPMAN POSTED 09/20/08 - This Friday the Union County Tigers faced off with the West Nassau Warriors in Callahan. It was a perfect evening for a football game and both teams came out ready to play. The Warriors won the toss and elected to receive the kickoff. The Tiger defense
It didn't take long for the Tigers to answer back. With plays from the Tigers' running game and pass plays…members of the team like #7 Adam Cason, and #20 Ruben Williams were able to get the team into scoring position. The Tigers' first TD was made by #4 Chris Alexander on a quarterback keeper. A fumbled snap by the Warriors a few plays later allowed #77 Aaron McRae to scoop the ball up and head toward the end zone, putting them in great field position and extending their lead. On the Tigers' next kickoff, the Warriors returned the ball as the first quarter of play ended. The Warriors found themselves deep in their own territory looking at a first and long due to an illegal block in the back. They went for the pass only to have it intercepted by Tigers' player SJ Simmons, #1. The Tigers had hit pay dirt once again as #3 Najeeb Smith took it in for the touchdown, and Alexander was able to connect with #86 Jordan Williams for the 2 point conversion. This
Horace Wilson #5 of the Warriors received and returned the Tigers' kickoff to the 28 yard line. An illegal motion penalty pushed them back 5 yards, so they were then looking at a 1st and 15. On 2nd down, Warrior QB #10 Robby Hern went back in the pocket looking to pass. Before the release could be made, he was hit by Tigers player McRae, causing a fumble and then recovery by team-mate Johns #16. The Tigers were now in the red zone, but a holding penalty pushed them back 10 yards. On third and long, QB Alexander was taken down by Warriors' #24 Matt Peebles. The Warriors ended up taking over on downs after the Tigers could not convert. The Warriors wasted no time in heading for Tiger territory. QB Hern kept the rock and ran for a long gain down to the Tiger 33 yard line. A Warrior touchdown came within no time by #5, Wilson. A short kickoff by the Warriors gave the Tigers great field position once again when the ball was covered by #31 Randy Randolph at the 48 yard line. On 1st and 10, a personal foul penalty called on West Nassau moved the Tigers to the Warrior 41 yard line with an automatic 1st
To begin the second half, Union County received first and came out with their run game. The Warrior defense held and they were forced to punt it away. With the Warriors driving once again, #3 Cory Prescott caught a long pass that took the Warriors into Tiger territory at the 23 yard line. The Warriors seemed to be gaining momentum when half the field lights went out, and an official time out resulted in a 10-15 minute delay in play. When play resumed, the Warriors picked up where they left off, and with 1:19 left to go in the 3rd quarter, #9 Garrett Hammett took it in for a Warrior TD. An onside kick was recovered by Union County. Strong defense by West Nassau stopped the drive and allowed the Warrior offense to take over on downs at their own 28 yard line. With only nine minutes left in the 4th quarter, the rain came. On a Warrior 4th down, they
Wet conditions made the ball difficult to handle resulting in yet another fumble, Tigers' player Nevin Johns was able to come up with the ball held high. Perry, #5 put it in for another Tiger touchdown to seal the game, 34-24. Defensive coach for Union County, Gerald Kaminski said after the game, "We stressed getting the ball to our offense inside the 50…we did that! Our offense is gonna score…we know that! It really is a team effort. We've been working on "jacking up" our pre-game so that we are ready go to at the start of the game." Next week: Union County faces Newberry at home. West Nassau will play at Yulee.
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