Published: September 06, 2008 02:30 am            

Strong second quarter helps Union survive

UNION — A strong showing in the second quarter proved just enough to carry the Union Yellowjackets to a 21-19 victory over Clarkdale Friday night.

Union dominated the second period, outscoring the Bulldogs 14-0 and gaining 186 total yards while holding Clarkdale to just three.

That advantage came in handy as the Bulldogs outscored Union 12-0 in the fourth quarter and had the ball at the ‘Jackets’ 35 in the final three minutes.

“We kind of let up,” said Union head coach Brad Breland. “We had a chance in the third quarter. We drove a little bit and had a chance to possibly put them away.

“Any time you let anybody hang around, it’s always going to be trouble. I knew that. I just hoped we could hold it to 21-6.

“Credit to them. They fought back and never gave up. We knew that they were going to run the ball hard. (Eric Houston) is a good back and they’ve got a big strong line. I was proud we held them in check in the second quarter like we did, but I knew eventually if they kept getting opportunities that they were going to run the ball.

“It’s still a good win for us. I’m proud of it.”

The waterlogged field made it hard for either team to establish a lot, especially in the second half.

“It was tough,” Clarkdale head coach Jud Gartman said. “But it was that way for both teams.”

After an error free first quarter, the teams combined for eight fumbles with three going over to the opponent.

Union, 2-0, went up 7-0 on its first possession, covering 66 yards in seven plays with quarterback Shunadrick Landfair scoring from a yard out with 4:56 left in the opening period. Roderick Hawkins added the first of his three extra points. Hawkins set up the score with a 51-yard run on an option toss from Landfair around right end.

Clarkdale answered with a nine-play, 69-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard run by Micah Redmond with 1:24 showing in the first quarter. The extra point try sailed wide left, leaving Union up 7-6.

The Bulldogs outgained Union 102-78 in the first quarter with all of Clarkdale’s yardage coming on the ground. Union upped its lead to 14-6 with a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive.

Hawkins got the touchdown on a 7-yard run with 8:48 to go in the second quarter. The drive’s two big plays were 34 and 28-yard passes from Landfair to Michael Holley.

Landfair and Holley hooked up over the middle on a 75-yard scoring bomb to put the ‘Jackets up 21-6 with 2:11 to play in the first half.

For the game, Holley had three catches for 137 yards.

Union threatened again late in the third quarter only to have E.J. Cunningham stopped for a loss of a yard on fourth-and-1 at the Clarkdale 43.

Clarkdale then put together a 12-play, 56-yard scoring drive. Houston took a pitchout seven yards around right end to close Union’s lead to 21-12 with 8:21 left in the game. A two-point pass by Dillon Boatner was broken up in the end zone, leaving Clarkdale still needing two scores for the win.

The Bulldogs forced Union to punt on fourth-and-6 following a delay of game penalty with 5:52 showing. Clarkdale quickly covered 51 yards in only five plays to pull to within 21-19 with 3:54 still remaining. Dusty Sullivan raced 35 yards for the touchdown. David Dennis added the extra point.

Then came a series of controversial calls. The first was on a fumble by Hawkins that was originally ruled a Clarkdale recovery, then reversed twice with the Bulldogs finally taking over at the Union 38.

Controversy wasted no time in returning as Houston apparently fumbled on the next play following a 7-yard run. When the officials were unable to decide if the fumble came before Houston hit the ground, the play was ruled a ‘do over.’

Union then held Clarkdale to just one yard on the next four plays and was able to run out the final 1:29 for the win.

“We showed a lot of character,” Gartman said. “What it came down to was extra points.

“That’s a big improvement from last week because that’s a fine football team with a lot of skill there.”

Union had 368 total yards to Clarkdale’s 222.

        

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