Yellowjackets defeat Leflore County to stay in playoffs
After back-to-back losses to end the regular season, the Union football team was left for dead.
But it appears the Yellowjackets are alive and kicking.
Union used a stingy defense and steady offense to take a 36-14 win over Leflore County in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs on Friday.
Union improves to 5-7 on the season and will host Northside in third-round action after two back-to-back long road trips.
“I think the biggest thing is we didn’t turn the ball over and we tackled well,” Wren said. “I feel like our energy and effort as been good all year long. We just haven’t taken care of the football at times and that has hurt us. I promised them after the Leake Academy game the if they continued to work hard and have good preparation that good things would eventually happen. It wasn’t that they were bad football players, they were just young players. But they have finally matured and we have played really good football lately and it’s a good time to be playing good football.”
Leflore got the ball to start the game and went 50 yards in five plays and scored on a 15-yard run and converted the try for two to go up 8-0 early in the first quarter.
Union then answered with a five-play, 52-yard drive and scored on a 25-yard run by Quinn Harris. Aiden Davis ran in the two-point conversion as Union tied the game at 8-8.
After a Leflore punt, Union went back to work on offense and went 48 yards in six plays. Myilan Moore then hit Mason Tucker on a 23-yard touchdown pass. The try for two failed and Union led 14-8.
The defenses started to take over but Union added one more first-half score. After getting the ball at the Leflore 20 after a short punt, Harris scored on a 20-yard run two plays later. The try for two failed and Union led 20-8 at the half.
Union got the ball to start the second half and went 60 yards in eight plays as Moore scored on a 16-yard run. Moore hit Tucker on the two-point conversion and Unin led 28-8.
Leflore answered with a seven-play, 45-yard drive and scored on an 8-yard run to cut the lead to 28-14.
After an interception by Omarri Holliday, Union went 80 yards in 10 plays and scored on a 3-yard run Quinn Harris. Davis ran in the two-point conversion and Union led 36-14 for the final margin.
Union had 265 yards rushing on 38 carries and 48 yards passing for 313 yards of total offense. Moore was 6-of-9 passing for 48 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 111 yards on 19 carries with one TD. Harris had 143 yards on 18 carries with three TDs. Mason Tucker had four catches for 37 yards with one TD.
After going on the road for the first two rounds of the playoffs, Union will be at home this week and host Northside.
The Gators are 9-3 on the season and are coming off a 26-6 win over Philadelphia. They also beat Leflore County 30-6 in the regular season.
“They have been a good program since consolidation,” Wren said. “They played Charleston really well last yer and played them to overtime three weeks ago. They are really fast and athletic and will be a tough test for us. I think our strength of schedule will come into play. I don’t think they are as good as Forest but they are comparable. They are well coached and you won’t get them out of position. They are a solid program for sure.”