HAWTHORNE-It wasn’t pretty but Union County head coach Ronny Pruitt will take the result though.
Moved up a day early due to Hurricane Matthew, Union County played poorly at times but had just enough in a 27-26 District 6-1A win over host Hawthorne.
A week after senior quarterback Ty Cook, who has thrown for over 1174 yards and 9 touchdowns, was sidelined with a possible concussion injury in the first quarter of a loss to Clearwater Academy; Cook wasn’t needed much tonight.
Pruitt turned to junior tailback Charles Strong, an FSU commit, who responded with a career night 315 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Strong, 773 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries now, carved up the Hornets defense with 250 second half yards.
After the defense came up with a goal line stand, Strong’s number was called repeatedly on the ensuing drive and chewed up the final five minutes of the clock on the 94 yard drive to end the game.
The drive was needed after Strong and Cook fumbled the handoff exchange inside the 20-yard line giving the Hornets the ball back again.
Hawthorne quarterback Tazmin Jones got Union County to jump off sides on fourth and one keeping the drive alive.
An off sides call on Union County set off a series of six straight penalties on the Tigers allowing the Tigers to move the ball over 50 yards in three plays.
Roughing the passer followed by another personal foul call put the Hornets inside the red zone and inside the ten yard line.
With first and goal at the 5-yard line, the Hornets looked poised to regain the lead again with five minutes left in the game. However, four James passes fell incomplete as his receivers were wide open but couldn’t haul them in and the Tigers held.
While the second half became a defensive battle, the first half was full of fireworks.
Carlton Hankerson took the opening kickoff back for a score to give the Tigers the lead just seconds into the game; however the Hornets answered back on their first drive of the game cutting the lead to 7-6.
Strong gave the Tigers some breathing room with a score putting them ahead 14-6 late in the first quarter.
James led the Hornets down the field with his arm cutting the lead to 14-12 with 8:45 left in the second quarter, after the 2-point conversion failed.
James struck again with a 50-yard touchdown completion to Deonte Bowie giving the Hornets their first lead of the game at 18-14 with 5:30 left till half.
Strong’s 45-yard run put the Tigers at midfield and his ensuing 1-yard touchdown run with under a minute left in the half put the Tigers ahead 20-18 at the half.
Holding a slim two point lead early in the third quarter, Strong struck again to put the Tigers ahead for good.
Charles Strong breaks one for 58 yards for a Tiger touchdown. Union County now up 27-18 early third. @DuvalSports @SunPreps @FlaHSFootball
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 7, 2016
Charles Strong breaks one for 58 yards for a Tiger touchdown. Union County now up 27-18 early third. @DuvalSports @SunPreps @FlaHSFootball
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 7, 2016
Trailing by now nine points in the third quarter and in a key 6-1A game the Hornets wouldn’t go away and answered quickly.
Deonte Bowie hauls in a TD pass, Union County clinging to a 27-26 lead in third. @SunPreps @FlaHSFootball
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 7, 2016
Cook fumbled it back to Hawthorne on the next possession giving the Hornets all the sudden momentum; but it was short lived.
Hawthorne at 25, Union County Carlton Hankerson picks it off and returns it all the way back to the 25 yard line.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 7, 2016
The team traded field position on the next drives to set up the wild and crazy ending in the fourth quarter.
The win sets up the huge showdown next week as Fort White (4-2, 2-0) travels to Union County (3-3 2-0) with first place in District 6-1A at stake.
First place in District 6-1A will be on the line next Friday when Fort White (4-2, 2-0) travels to Union County (3-3 2-0).
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 7, 2016
District 6-1A
Fort White (2-0)
Union County (2-0)
Baldwin (1-1 )
Hawthorne (1-2)
Hilliard (0-3)
