Union celebrates Homecoming with win over East Webster

The Union Yellowjackets celebrated Homecoming Friday night with a 45-21 victory over East Webster in prep football action.

Not only was it a happy Homecoming. The Yellowjackets avenged last year’s 27-20 loss to the Wolverines as they improved their record to 3-1. The Yellowjackets open Region 6-2A play Friday night when they host the Newton Tigers.

Union got back to its high scoring ways after hitting a bump in the road last week against Newton County. As usual on a Friday night in U Town, it was Kenyon Clay who wowed the home crowd. Clay ran the ball 20 times for 207 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns, while adding 109 yards through the air and a touchdown.

Cameron Jackson made his two touches count for 39 yards, along with a 43-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Jaheim Gill added seven carries for 22 yards and a touchdown for UHS. Dylan Harrison had his best game of 2020, leading the Jacket receivers with five catches for 50 yards. Markus Jones caught four balls for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Matthew Lott caught a pass for 11 yards. Henry Thornton kicked a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter.

East Webster running back Steven Betts had a big evening, carrying the ball 23 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Chandler Hodges had a solid game, completing 6-of-11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Jontavis Cunningham caught a touchdown and finished with 112 receiving yards in the losing effort.

“ I’m really proud of how the team bounced back,” Coach Jordan Wren said. “I appreciate their effort, attitude and execution. The defense played great, other than three big plays that resulted in touchdowns. They kept playing hard. Offensively we controlled the line of scrimmage and did a great job of mixing up run and pass.”