Union bests Chestatee to get their first win of the season

In a battle of two football teams who were still looking for their first 2020 win, Union County (1-2) was able to handle Chestatee (0-2), beating the War Eagles 39-19 thanks to a couple of big plays.

The Union County Panthers are one hundred percent in a rebuilding year after the loss of their starting quarterback Pierson Allison to graduation last year. The does not mean that now starting quarterback Logan Helcher is going to let this team slip into the shadows. Helcher was able to find some success through the air which in turn opened up the running game and allowed Carson Walker to have a huge night on the ground, including taking the opening half kickoff back for 6. Walker had 125 yards and 2 TDs on 14 carries in the first half alone

Union County started the game off with a bang as Eli Peugh intercepted a Chestatee War Eagle pass and ran it into the endzone for a pick six.

Chestatee’s defense buckled down and blocked a Union County punt that they recovered on the three yard line which allowed Chestatee tie the ball game up as the buzzer rang to end the first quarter as Luke Bornhurst found Drew Knickel in the corner of the endzone. Both teams headed into the second quarter tied at 7 all.

The Panthers would then fire back quickly and Carson Walker would get his first touchdown of the night, putting the Panthers in the lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter.

After a quick defensive stop the Union, Carson Walker found the ball in his hands again and tip toed up the sideline for 50 plus yards, giving the Panthers a 21-7 lead over the War Eagles.

Chestatee would not go away however, finding the end zone again on a 30 yard bomb from Luke Bornhurst that made it 21-13 with 4:28 left in the first half.

Union County drove down the field and notched a quick field goal as time expired in the second quarter, taking a 24-13 lead into the locker room.

Carson Walker would quickly extend that lead, getting the crowd fired up by taking the opening second half kickoff 90 yards to the house and giving Union a 32-13 lead.

Luke Bornhurst, Chestatee’s quarterback answered Carson Walker’s house call with his third touchdown pass of the night, keeping the War Eagles in it and making it 32-19 Union.

Logan Helcher threw a little dump pass to Noah Underwood underneath and Noah ran it in for 6, giving Union a 39-19 lead, which they would hold onto for the rest of the game.

In their next game, the Panthers face the George Walton Academy Bulldogs (Monroe, GA) in a non-league bout, on Friday, September 25. Union County will attempt to build on its 1-2 season record during this rebuilding year for the Panthers. The Bulldogs enter the matchup undefeated with a 2-0 record after their 21-17 non-league win over Stratford Academy (Macon, GA).