Friday, September 12, 2014

Union wrecks Rockets' unblemished record

Noah Dickerson stands up a Union County running back.
MARION, Ky. – Union County's rushing juggernaut rolled over the Rockets 42-12 in virtually trouble-free fashion Friday night, rocking Crittenden County's previously unscarred record in front a big crowd.

Crittenden, now 1-2, couldn't handle the Braves' powerful, option ground attack that featured three backs with more than 100 yards apiece. Union County – which has the state's top rushing offense through the first four weeks of season – was undaunted against CCHS, posting nearly 500 yards on the turf.

Meanwhile, the Crittenden backfield struggled. Rocket senior Lane Wallace, one of the state's top 10 scorers going into the matchup, was held without a touchdown. A shoulder injury, which was sustained on his team's first offensive series and persisted until he was sidelined late in the game, kept him from being much of an offensive factor. 

With Wallace limited in his effectiveness, sophomore Maeson Myers carried a large load, rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns. 

Union (2-1) took command early with 21 first-period points and the Rockets never posed a threat.

Crittenden managed to get on the board for the first time about halfway through the final period when receiver Noah Dickerson picked up 53 yards on a reverse to the Union seven-yard line. Myers scored two plays later. Both teams starters played until late in the game.

Myers tacked on another TD on the contest's final play. By then, Union had subbed for many of its starters.

The matchup became somewhat tainted in the second half as Union was marked with 10 penalties. Most of them were personal fouls or unsportsmanlike sanctions. The Braves were penalized 140 yards in the game. Crittenden was penalized for about a third as many yards.

The Rockets will host Webster County (1-3) next week in the annual homecoming game. 


SCORE BY QUARTERS
It took a gang of Rockets to slow Union's rushing attack.

Union County 21 7 7 7
Crittenden County 0 0 0 12

SCORING PLAYS
U-Isaiah Skinner 3 run (Tim Pike kick) 8:23, 1st
U-Davis Joiner 19 run (Pike kick) 6:18, 1st
U-Skinner 8 run (Pike kick) :33, 1st
U-Robert Smith 48 run (Pike kick) 2:01, 2nd
U-Joiner 27 run (Pike kikc) :01, 3rd
C-Maeson Myers 3 run (kick failed) 5:38, 4th
U-Smith 68 run (Pike kick) 4:01, 4th
C-Myers 5 run, :00

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 17, Union 22
Rushing: Crittenden 48-261, Union 39-493
Passing: Crittenden 4-12-1, 25 yds., Union 5-10-0, 88 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 286, Union 581
Penalties: Crittenden 5-52, Union 15-140
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 2-0, Union 1-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 
Rushing

Crittenden: Myers 17-78, Nick Castiller 5-39, Noah Dickerson 3-57, Lane Wallace 16-74, Dylan Hollis 4-21, Team 2-(-11). Union: R.Smith 10-197, Dontae Smith 8-112, Skinner 10-66, Joiner 8-124, Takquez Avery 1-(-6).
Passing
Crittenden: Castiller 4-11-1, 25 yds., Dickerson 0-1-0. Union: Joiner 5-10-0, 88 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: Myers 2-6, Wallace 1-19, Hollis 1-0. Union: James Robison 3-54, D.Smith 2-34.
Defense
Beavers solo, assist; Belt assist; Birdwell 4 solos, 5 assists, fumble recovery; Castiller 2 solos, assist, TFL; Coleman solo, 3 assists, TFL; Cosby solo; Dickerson 6 solos, 4 assists, caused fumble; Fitzgerald 2 solos, assist, fumble recovery; N.Greenwell 2 solos, 3 assists; Hicks solo; Hollis 3 solos, 4 assists; E.Hunt 3 solos, 3 assists, caused fumble; McConnell assist; T.McKinney 2 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Myers 7 assists, TFL; Robinson 2 assists; Wallace 5 solos, 2 assists, 4 TFL.
Pizza Hut Players of the Game
Defense Noah Dickerson, Offense Maeson Myers, Lineman Travis McKinney.
Records
Crittenden 2-1, Union 2-1