Yellow Jackets try to rebound after tough loss
A beautiful autumn night of football turned into a devastating loss for the Union Yellow Jackets. When the game ended, the score was 48-13, in favor of the Leake Academy Rebels.
The contest was given the nickname the Junction Bowl. Who would walk away with bragging rights when the night was over?
As the game began, much of the first quarter was a defensive battle. At the 4:31 mark of the first quarter, Canon Parks scored for the Rebels. The PAT was successful and Leake Academy led 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Kenyon Clay returned the kickoff 99 yards for a Yellow Jacket touchdown. The two-point conversion failed and the Rebels led 7-6.
Still in the first quarter with 29 seconds left, the Rebel quarterback, Rhett Atkinson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Riley Myers. The kick was no good and Leake Academy led 13-6.
Bragging rights for the Junction Bowl were still undecided. Kenyon Clay completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Casey with 9:53 left in the second quarter. The PAT was good and the score was tied at 13-13. The excitement was building for both teams as the second quarter continued. The Rebels scored quickly on a 5-yard pass by Rhett Atkinson to Levi Brown. The extra point was good and the Rebels led 20-13 with 7:11 to go till halftime.
Even though the Rebels scored quickly, the Union faithful were very hopeful. The hopefulness turned to concern for the welfare of the quarterback, Kenyon Clay. On a third-down run Clay injured his ankle and was forced to leave the game. Then, with 3:30 to go in the second quarter, Atkinson threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Watkins. The PAT was good and Leake Academy led 27-13.
Leake Academy was not finished with its scoring display. Atkinson found Riley Myers again for a 25-yard touchdown and once again the PAT was good. At halftime, the scoreboard read, Rebels 34, Yellowjackets 13.
As the second half began, the Rebels received the kick-off. Atkinson ran for a nine-yard touchdown and the kick was good making the score 41-13 in favor of the Rebels.
After Clay’s injury in the first half, U’Darrian Hickman took over as quarterback for the Jackets. Leake Academy capped off the scoring with a seven-yard TD run by Whitt Welch. Once again, the kick was good, ending the scoring.
Despite Clay’s injury, he led the Jackets by completing all five of his passes for a total of 80 yards. He also ran back a kickoff for 99 yards and a touchdown. His presence was certainly felt in the game, before his injury. Kaleb Casey led the Jackets in receiving with four receptions and 76 yards. Kaleb also scored a touchdown for the Jackets. Matthew Lott caught three passes for 14 yards. Carlos Hickmon led the Jacket rushing attack with 10 carries for 21 yards and Xavier Boler added 5 carries for 19 yards.
The Jackets will take on the Newton County Cougars in the Battle of Highway 15, on Friday.