Panthers dominant in win over Indians in Blairsville

Blairsville, Ga. – From the opening kickoff until the final buzzer, the Union County Panthers were dominant Friday night against Towns County in Blairsville, winning 60-7 to earn their second victory to begin the 2019 season.

Head coach Brian Allison put it simply after the game, saying his team did a “great job doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.”

With the visiting Indians virtually unable to make it to midfield, the Panthers spent most of the night playing offense with a short field, scoring the first nine times they touched the ball. 

The Panthers (2-0) were led by senior quarterback Pierson Allison, who finished the night 5-for-7 for 90 yards and three touchdowns in the air, while accounting for 31 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Sophomore quarterback Logan Helcher also had a solid game. Helcher came in late in the first half to throw a 39-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Dalton Allen. The quarterback finished the night with a rushing and passing touchdown after the junior varsity took over the offense and defense in the second half.

“We got some good junior varsity reps,” Brian Allison said. “It’s always valuable when you can get the young guys on the field.”

Junior Jonah Daniel carried the ball just three times on the night, but had 63 yards rushing with a touchdown.

Seniors Kyle Morlock and Sawyer Drake, and junior Mason McCombs each caught touchdowns from Pierson Allison during the first half.

Seniors Zion Ross and Sloan Sutton, and junior Kaston Hemphill each added a tackle-for-loss on defense for the Panthers.

Allison said he hopes the team can build on the momentum from the win against Towns County with “a pretty big rivalry game next week.”

“Let’s role on this,” Allison said to his team after the game. “Let’s really roll on this thing now and get ready to roll next week.”

The Panthers will head south to Blue Ridge to take on Fannin County (2-0) beginning at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 13. Union County put it on Fannin County last season, winning 49-7 in Blue Ridge. The Panthers have won five straight against the Rebels.