Union scores 21 in 4th to close out victory

Tyler Coleman led the Rockets in
receiving with 7 catches for 54 yards.

MORGANFIELD, Ky. – Union County scored 21 points in the fourth period to win going away Friday, beating the Rockets 42-21.

Jesse Belt’s interception in the third period set up a Rocket touchdown that cut the host’s lead to 21-13, but Crittenden misfired in the red zone minutes later and its momentum began to evaporate.

Belt picked off a pass by Union quarterback James Robison to give Crittenden the ball at the Union 31. Then, Seth Birdwell caught a pass from Rocket QB Nick Castiller that took Crittenden deep into Brave territory and Castiller punched it in from the one.

It was a one-possession game at that point, and after a the CCHS defense forced Union to punt, Crittenden mounted another drive.

However, Union's boys bowed up at their 23 and stopped the Rockets on downs.

Castiller threw an interception on the next series which set off a series of Braves' fireworks. Union reeled off touchdowns on three of its next four possessions.

“We have to be able to capitalize,” Rocket coach Al Starnes said. “We should have right there (in the third quarter). We just didn’t execute.”

Ethan Hunt and Jacob Russelburg (8) try to
corral Union's Robert Smith.

Starnes did believe, however, that his team “grew up” in the ball game, showing spirit in the third-quarter after trailing 21-6 at he half. Yet, the veteran skipper pointed to a variety of mistakes that let Union seize some energy late in the game and put the Rockets away with a strong running attack in the fourth quarter.

“I was proud of our effort. We showed that we have some fight in us,” Starnes said.

Union used two long pass plays to go ahead 13-0 early, catching the Rockets off-guard a bit.

“We had some busted coverage on those and let them score on big plays,” the coach said. “We knew Union was a good football team and you can’t make mistakes against a team like that.”

Castiller set a school record for the most passing attempts in a game. He and Austin Berry previously held the record at 36. Castiller completed his record-breaking 37th attempt of the game – a touchdown to Dylan Hollis – that pulled the Rockets within 35-21 in the final period. Castiller finished with 221 yards on 23-of-38 passing.

Crittenden plays Fulton City next week for homecoming at Rocket Stadium. It will be the Rockets’ first Class A First District game of the season.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden County 0 6 7 8
Union County 7 14 0 21

SCORING PLAYS

UC-Trey Hutchison 71 pass from James Robison (Nick Moberg kick) 1:38, 1st

UC-Hutchison 80 pass from Robison (kick failed) 10:56, 2nd

CC-Dylan Hollis 10 run (kick blocked) 8:12, 2nd

UC-Donte Smith 59 run (Robert Smith pass from Robison) 3:16, 2nd

CC-Nick Castiller 1 run (Will Perkins kick) 9:04, 3rd

UC-D.Smith 3 run (Moberg kick) 11:46, 4th

UC-R. Smith 9 run (Moberg kick) 5:30, 4th

CC-Hollis 25 pass from Castiller (Tyler Colman pass from Castiller) 2:24, 4th

UC-D.Smith 23 run (Moberg kick) 1:32, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: Crittenden 16, Union 10

Penalties: Crittenden 3-15, Union 6-50

Rushing: Crittenden 41-122, Union 32-227

Passing: Crittenden 21-39-1, 221 yds., Union 7-22-1, 218 yds.

Total Yards: 343, Union 445

Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-1, Union 1-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Crittenden: Hollis 10-39, Alex Cosby 3-17, Maeson Myers 5-15, Castiller 24-51. Union: Robert Smith 11-72, Donte Smith 14-132, Robison 5-17, Matthew Gumz 2-6.

Passing

Crittenden: Castiller 23-38-1, 221 yds., Costy 0-1-0. Union: Robison 7-22-1, 218 yds.

Receiving

Crittenden: Ethan Hunt 1-8, Coleman 7-54, Cosby 5-35, Seth Birdwell 3-86, Hollis 3-26, Myers 1-4, Jesse Belt 1-8. Union: Hutchison 3-159, R.Smith 2-33, Logan Thomas 2-26.

Defense

Beavers solo, 3 assits; J.Belt solo, assist, interception; Birdwell 4 solos, 2 assists; Castiller solo; Fitzgerald 4 solos, 6 assists, TFL; Hicks 5 solos, assist; Hollis 5 solos, 4 assists; Hopper solo, assist; Hunt solo, 5 assists, TFL; Lamey solo, assist; T.McKinney 4 solos, 4 assists; Myers solo, assist; Russelberg 4 solos, TFL; Smith 6 solos, 6 assists. 
Players of the Game: Offense Castiller, Defense Smith, Lineman Fitzgerald.

Records

Crittenden 4-2, Union 4-1