Panthers Raid the Jackets Nest 60-7!

UCHS Football

Union County Panthers vs Hayesville Yellow Jackets

Varsity Football

September 1, 2017

Location: Hayesville, NC

Friday night’s local matchup between the 3A Union County Panthers and the 1A Hayesville Yellow Jackets was an interesting one to say the least.  Hayesville High School,  is just 15 miles across the GA/NC border from Blairsville, GA where the Panthers reside.   

The Union County Panthers are ranked 11th in their 7-AAA Region and 144th in the State of Georgia.  Hayesville on the other hand, are ranked 41st in their 1-A SMC Region and 341th in the State of North Carolina according to MaxPreps.com.

With a combination of rainy weather and negative expectations from the Jackets side, the fan base for the game was rather small.  However, that didn’t keep the Panthers from putting on a show! 

#2 Chayton Schafer (Pre-Game Prayer)

The Panthers built a quick 28-0 lead during the first quarter against the Yellow Jackets.  Within the first four minutes of play the Panthers had scored 2 touchdowns; an 18-yard pass to #4 Kanon Hemphill and following that, a 2-yard rush by #24 Chad Buzzard.  

TOUCHDOWN #4 Kanon Hemphill 

The Panthers went on to score two more touchdowns in the first quarter; a 5-yard run by #8 Cole Wright and a 7-yard pass to #18 Logan Dyer!

The Jackets rushed for their first, first-and-ten at the Panther 30-yard line for the last play in the first quarter just as the buzzer sounded.  With three failed chances to score at the beginning of the second quarter, the Jackets were forced to turn over the ball at the their own 23-yard line.

The Panthers dominated and reeled off the next 32 points for a 60-7 road win; the second of the season!

The game featured Panther Senior quarterback #8 Cole Wright.  Wright was 7 of 15 passing for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns; and 6 carries for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Wright was replaced with Sophomore #17 Pierson Allison at the half.  

Union held Hayesville to a total of 182 yards for the entire game; they went 11 for 18 passing with 58 yards and rushed 124 yards on 38 carries with 1 touchdown.  

The remaining touchdowns were a combination of passes to #22 Austin Pattee, #84 Kyle Morlock, #16 Nathaniel Underwood. They combined for 48 of Union’s 155 passing yards.

Sophomore quarterback #17 Pierson Allison went 4 for 4 passing for 54 yards and rushed 10 yards on 1 carry.  Kicker #36 Brian Smith went 6 for 6 on extra points. 

#17 Pierson Allison & #36 Brian Smith

Pressbox discussion consisted of brutal remarks regarding the Panther’s intentions of playing the small 1A school.  Later on, volunteers were saying that the Jacket’s former head football coach had signed a contract stating that they would play the Panther’s for another 3 years.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Panthers: #8 C. Wright 6-97 (2 TD); #24 C. Buzzard 11-76 (1 TD); #15 C. Dockery 5-27; #3 K. Hemphill 1-23; #17 P. Allison 1-10; #6 S. Sutton 3-9; #25 P. Ivester 2-4.  Total: 246 Rushing Yards

PASSING — Panthers: #8 C. Wright 7/15, 72; #17 P. Allison 4/4, 54; #3 K. Hemphill 1/2, 29. Total: 155 Passing Yards

RECEIVING — Panthers: #20 C. Rich 2-35; #84 K. Morlock 3-29 (1 TD); #16 N. Underwood 1-29 (1 TD);  #4 K. Hemphill 3-26 (1 TD); #22 A. Pattee 1-20; #21 S. Drake 1-9; #18 L. Dyer 1-7 (1 TD).

With another win under their belt, the Panthers look forward to hosting the Andrews Wildcats (NC) for another non-conference game on September 8, 2017 at 7:30PM.  The Wildcats are in the same conference as the Yellow Jackets; however, the word on the street is that this year they are expected to be good.  

Also, support the Panthers JV team this Thursday, September 7, 2017 as they face the Fannin County Rebels on the road at 5:30PM for the 1st game of the season!!

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