UNION COUNTY — Turnovers were the Yellow Jackets’ enemy Friday night as Union County fell to the undefeated Fairfield Central Griffins with a final score of 35-11.
Fairfield Central was the first to receive, and during their opening drive Union County defensive back Kennedy Beatty picked off the ball. One minute later in the game, Fairfield Central intercepted a pass from Union County QB Matthew Barnett, leading into another unsuccessful drive by Fairfield Central. With 5:47 left in the first quarter, Union County kicker Blake Berry put the first points on the board with a field goal, and the Yellow Jackets took a 3-0 lead.
With 1:38 left in the first quarter, Fairfield Central offensive standout Larry J. Bell ran in a TD, giving the Griffins a 7-3 lead. In the second quarter, Bell scored another touchdown, and with a two-point conversion, Fairfield Central’s lead increased to 15-3.
Union County turned over the ball again at the beginning of the third quarter, and the following drive led to Fairfield Central’s Kewaun Squirewell scoring the touchdown, making the score 21-3.
Coach Steve Taneyhill then put in QB Ben Beck who had only played one snap in the first half. As Beck threw the ball, it was tipped and intercepted by Fairfield Central’s Shadarius Hopkins for Union County’s third turnover of the game. The following drive ended with Fairfield Central’s Joseph Young scoring the touchdown, making the score 28-3.
When Union County regained possession of the ball, they soon gave up another turnover — their fourth of the game — which led to Fairfield Central QB DeAndre Belton handing off the ball for the touchdown and increasing their lead to 35-3.
In the fourth quarter, Union County’s 10th grade QB Dierrus Smith was put in for his first snap of the season. Smith ran in a touchdown, and then ran in a two-point conversion, making the score 35-11.
After the game, Coach Taneyhill said a lot was expected of the defense during the game, and the team’s problem was simply not being able to move the ball on offense.
Next week, the Union County Yellow Jackets will attempt to get on a winning track as they host the Newberry Bulldogs at Union County Stadium.