Scott Central used three straight scores in the third quarter to take a key 28-7 win over Union Friday night.
The Jackets had a near-perfect start to the game, taking a 7-0 lead and had several opportunities to take control of the game.
However, a fumble at the end of the first half set up Scott Central’s game-tying score and gave the Rebels the momentum in the game.
Union head coach Brad Breland said his team has come a long way from its early-season matchup with blowout loss to Nanih Waiya, but they just couldn’t close the deal.
“We really should have been up 20-0,” Breland said. “We did everything we could to keep them in the game. We got down here twice and didn’t score, and then we just gave them a touchdown before the half. We fumbled the ball on the 15-yard line with a minute left. All we have to do is punt, and they don’t score.
“I don’t think our guys were really sure with the way we played Nanih Waiya earlier in the year, but now I think they understand that we can step up and we can compete with these kind of teams.”
Kenyon Clay, who came in for injured starting quarterback Colby Ferguson, led Union’s scoring drive and finished it with an 8-yard touchdown. The extra point by Henry Thornton made it 7-0 in the first quarter.
Union recovered a pooch kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the drive ended on a fumble at the Union 10.
Peyton Posey gave Union another chance to add to the lead with a fumble recovery, but the drive ended in a punt.
Disaster then struck for Union as they fumbled at their own 13. The Rebels then tied the score right before halftime on a short touchdown.
Then after the break, Scott Central threw a 70-yard touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. On that play Breland said Clay, who is a ninth grader, just let the tight end get by him.
“He’ll learn from that because it matters to him,” Breland said. “He’s a great player and it matters to him. And I don’t think it will happen again.”
Then, a blocked punt by the Rebels set up their 50-yard, nine-play drive to extend the lead to 20-7.
Then, the Rebels then took the air out of the stadium with a 62-yard pass on third-and-41 to set up a 2-yard touchdown.
Clay finished 3-for-4 passing for 51 yards and had 35 yards on 13 carries. Jaylon Buckley also had 22 yards on 18 carries.
Jaheim Gill had a 29-yard reception while Jamarian Harmon had two catches for 22 yards. Peyton Posey led the defense with five solo tackles and five assists while Carlos Hickman had two solo tackles and four assists.
