Late TD Pass Halts Union's Six-Game Win Streak Over Rebels
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Page 2C THETHE NORTH NORTH GEORGIA GEORGIA NEWS NEWS September September 9, 2020 9, 2020 SportsSee the Sports Section at nganews.com Late TD pass halts Union’s six-game win streak over Rebels Panthers’ star running back Jonah Daniel out indefinitely with ankle injury By Todd Forrest outs, followed by a dropped flare Sports Editor pass on first down. On second [email protected] down, another drop, this time at the 2-yard line, potentially took Clinging to a late 20-17 six points off the board. A third- advantage over rival Fannin down rollout pass sailed wide County, the Panthers were the and off a diving Union receiver’s victims of a 24-yard touchdown fingertips, bringing on the field strike with 5:50 to play, dealing goal unit to even the score. Union County its first season- But that wasn’t the case. opening defeat since 2003. McCombs, who was per- The Panthers suffered fect on field goal tries in 2019, another loss on the night when hooked the 26-yarder wide left senior All-Region running back from the right hash. Jonah Daniel sustained an ankle More problems followed injury early in the third quarter. in the kicking game after Fannin Daniel would leave the County shot itself in the foot, game with 54 yards on seven coughing up the ball at the Union carries 33. Spurred by Trace Wright’s According to head coach fumble recovery, the Panthers Brian Allison, the injury is be- took their first lead of the night lieved to be a fractured ankle. As with an 8-play, 67-yard scoring of Monday morning’s deadline, drive. how much time Daniel will miss Unfortunately, the snap is unsure but it will likely be was low on the point after and significant, Allison said. Union County was left nursing Sandwiched between a a 20-17 advantage with 1:03 left pair of bookend Rebel touch- Senior running back Jonah Daniel gets his ankle rolled up during the in the third. downs, Union County scored early stages of the third quarter. Photo/Todd Forrest Highlighting the drive on two quarterback keepers scoring drive, a Rebels receiver Three plays later, a first- Junior Dalton Allen eyes nothing but green turf between himself and the was a 3rd-and-13 catch-and-run by junior Logan Helcher and a hauled in a bobbled pass and down carry by junior Carson goal line following Elijah Helton’s strip sack. Photo/Todd Forrest by Walker for 15 yards, followed first-quarter scoop-and-score by turned it into 13 yards on 2nd- Walker kept the drive alive until endzone. and that was the difference in the by a 50-yard deep ball to Chit- fellow junior Dalton Allen. and-12.) a flag moved Union back five Union had one final drive ball game.” wood on 3rd-and-7. With another After Fannin County took With 1st-and-goal from yards. On 2nd-and-15, a counter before the break, but a fourth- Down 17-14 to open the 1st and goal from the 10, the the season’s opening drive 67 the one, a quarterback keeper handoff to Daniel picked up 20, down fumble kept points off third, the Union County offense Panthers kept it on the ground, yards on 13 plays, capped off put Fannin County back in front then a 21-yard leaping grab by the board after moving inside suffered a three-and-out and allowing Helcher to find paydirt by an 11-yard slant that went for 14-7 at the 11:55 mark of the Mason McCombs and a 9-yard the Fannin County 37-yard line. punted back to Fannin, who on back-to-back keepers. six, the Panther offense sputtered second period. completion to Chitwood had the A 14-yard connection to Mc- was denied on fourth and inches Helcher wrapped up his to a quick three-and-out. But on This time, Union County Panthers inside the red zone. Combs on second down had the when the Panther defense stuffed first home start with two scores the ensuing Rebels’ possession, would answer the bell with an A 16-yard rush by Daniel Panthers on the move, then a a QB sneak near midfield. and 70 yards on 13 carries. He Elijah Helton stripped the Fan- impressive 13-play, 88-yard scor- set up 1st and goal from the pair of 10-yard runs by Helcher Daniel took a misdirection also completed 12-of-25 passes nin quarterback from behind, ing drive that spanned just over three, and two plays later, an had the offense in business at the carry for one yard when his leg for 170 yards. allowing Allen to scoop up the four minutes of game time. Underwood block paved the way Fannin 37. was rolled up awkwardly under- Both squads traded punts football and trot untouched into Starting from their own for Helcher’s first varsity rushing On fourth and inches, neath a Fannin County defender before the Rebels took over at the endzone from 22 yards out. 12, the Panthers overcame a pair touchdown. Helcher kept the QB option and on the ensuing possession’s first their own 38 with 8:02 remain- Tied at 7-7 with 2:37 left of first-down negating penalties “I couldn’t have been more picked up a quick four yards play. But Helcher picked up the ing. in the opening frame, Fannin only to move the chains once pleased with Logan (Helcher),” before the ball was jarred loose slack on the ground, taking off After four running plays County responded by regaining again. On the verge of another Allison said. “He had some at the 33 and recovered by the for 11 yards to the Rebels’ 35. picked up 14, 13, 4 and 7 yards, the lead 14-7 on the first play three-and-out, Helcher found mistakes but he played hard, he Rebels with 1:35 on the clock. Later, on 3rd and 14, respectively, Fannin went deep of the second quarter. With the senior Noah Underwood over ran hard and I thought he played “We made mistakes, but Helcher and Chitwood connect- over the middle, taking the Rebels facing a 1st-and-15 from the middle on 3rd and 2, but an very well overall.” for the most part, I thought our ed for 16 yards. Two plays later, lead for good on a 24-yard post midfield, blitzing linebacker ineligible receiver penalty made Fannin used a 22-yard guys played hard,” Allison said. the Union signal-caller returned route. Clayton Lester deflected a deep Helcher convert once again - this field goal to go back on top “But (mistakes are to) be ex- to his go-to target, Chitwood, for Starting from the 31, pass that still went for 49 yards time, rolling right and connect- 17-14 following an 18-yard run pected. We’re a young team and 10 more before using his legs to Union’s final drive of the game when the Fannin receiver came ing with the 6-foot-3 junior to start the drive and a 29-yard we didn’t make the crucial plays move the chains on 3rd-and-1. was aided by a second-down back to make a play on the wob- Keyton Chitwood on an 18-yard completion to move inside the like we have in the past. With 1st-and-goal from helmet-to-helmet penalty on bly football at the 1-yard line. out route. Union 10. The Panther defense “Fannin is an experienced the nine and primed to regain the Fannin when McCombs was (Fannin’s second big play Chitwood would finish would batten down the hatches, team with several three-year lead, the Panthers offense began tagged while leaping for an of the half that was the result of with a team-high 110 yards on and with the help of a delay of starters, and they obviously to self-destruct. Confusion on the winning a 50-50 ball. On the first six catches. game, kept the Rebels out of the made the plays necessary to win play call led to consecutive time- See Football, Page 3C Cross Country: Gambrell sets Meeks Park record, Gregory places third By Todd Forrest 27:23. Sports Editor Rounding out the Union [email protected] County ladies’ top five was Al- lie Brey in 13th place (27:38), Campbell Chambers in 16th Luke Gambrell set a new (28:19) and Natalie Payne in Meeks Park course record, 27th (30:47). clocking in at 18 minutes, one Other Union runners were second, narrowly edging the Katelynn Rash in 28th with a previous mark held by 2018 time of 31:00 and Abigail Pruitt Union County graduate Lance in 38th at 34:59. Underwood (18:02). The Lady Panthers would As the senior entered the place third overall. final straightaway with the fin- For the guys, Zander ish line and course record in his Rotko placed 15th at 21:25 sights, Union head coach Paige and Zach Jackson was 23rd Dyer began shouting words of at 22:39. In the 24th spot was encouragement. Brady Guild at 22:45. Daniel “C’mon, Luke, you’ve Griggs came in 31st with a time got 30 seconds,” Dyer shouted of 23:29. as the clock passed 17:30. Wes Seiler crossed the “Fifteen seconds. Ten line three seconds later at 23:32, seconds,” Dyer continued as he followed closely by Brady neared the finish. Hussion (23:33) and Benton At 18:01, Gambrell Gregory (23:38).