Union took advantage of three Newton turnovers to cruise to a 53-8 win Friday night at E.L. Morgan Field.
The Yellowjackets, coming off their first their first loss, had a better week of practice, but coach Brad Breland said he wants to see his team step it up as the schedule ramps up over the next four weeks.
“We’re still not playing with intensity like we just love it,” Breland said. “We’ve got be intense. We’ve got to play hard. We’re just kind of playing. We’re really not playing with a lot of fun and effort and everything like that. I know that sounds bad with winning 53-8, but our expectations are high. And we’ve got some tough teams coming up, and we’ve got to get better.”
Newton coach Zack Grady had nothing but praise for the Yellowjackets.
“That’s a really good football team right there,” Grady said. “We made too many mistakes. We’ve got to keep our heads up and get better. And we still have a chance to make the playoffs. That’s what we have to believe.”
Union outgained the Tigers 364-185 in total yards. Most of that advantage came on the ground for Union, as they rushed for 264 yards on 34 carries.
Kenyon Clay was the led all rushers in the game with 137 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half. His first score came after Newton gave Union a short field after bad snap on a punting play. Clay finished it off with a 14-yard touchdown.
A failed fake punt by Newton allowed Clay to add his second touchdown on a 5-yard run to give Union a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Clay’s final touchdown came on an 86-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Jaylon Buckley added the two-points to give Union a 20-0 lead.
Jaheim Gill then got in on the action on 31-yard pass from Colby Ferguson. Henry Thornton’s extra point gave Union a 27-0 lead with 9:47 left in the second quarter.
Dontea Flowers finally had an answer for Newton, as he raced 82 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing possession. Tyreke Snow added the two points to cut Union’s advantage to 27-8 at halftime.
Gill added his second touchdown of the night, this time on 25-yard interception return early in the third quarter.
Ferguson then found Jamarian Harmon for a 53-yard touchdown. Moments later, Carlos Hickman returned another interception 18 yards for the final score of the third quarter. That gave Union a 47-8 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The final score came with 59 seconds left after Newton failed on fourth down deep in their own territory. E.J. Campbell scored from 14 yards out to give Union it’s final points.
Ferguson finished 5-for-10 for 100 yards and two touchdowns for Union. Peyton Posey led Union with eight total tackles including a sack and another tackle for loss.
A Smith led Newton with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Derrick Alford had eight tackles with a sack and another tackle for loss.
