Cleveland — Union County fell to 0-2 following a heartbreaking 20-14 overtime loss at White County, where the Panthers led 14-0 before the Warriors stormed back with 20 unanswered points.
“Our kids played very hard — maybe the hardest they’ve played since I’ve been here,” Union County head coach Rob Stowe said. “They laid it on the line to the very last play, and I can’t ask for anything more. I hurt for the kids, and I want it bad for those kids because I know all the hard work they’ve put into it. So I have to believe their harvest is still coming. We just have to keep working.”
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Senior Chetley Cox got the start at quarterback for the injured Kamden Kendrick and guided Union to a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, rushing for one and hitting Jax Dillinger for the second score.
The Panthers were limited to just 141 yards of offense, including 91 through the air, on a rainy night in Cleveland, but were aided by a Micah Wallace interception return to the Warriors’ 5-yard line that set up Dillinger’s touchdown catch.
“We had a great week of practice and we started off really well,” Stowe said. “We knew White County has a very good defensive line, but we were able to get out ahead and we felt like it was going to be one of those nights where everything goes our way.”
White County answered with rushing scores in the second and third quarters before both teams were held scoreless in the fourth. In overtime, Union County freshman quarterback Joe Moses was hit from behind in the pocket, resulting in a Warriors fumble recovery. Three plays later, White County completed a quick pass along the sideline for a 13-yard, game-ending touchdown.
Union’s first score came after the defense forced a three-and-out, aided by senior Rob Thompson’s first-down sack. Cox and the offense took over at their own 23 and immediately faced third-and-14, but Cox rolled right and hit Mikey Davis for 23 yards along the Panthers’ sideline. Later in the drive, Cox hit Wallace for 15 yards on another third-and-long rollout, setting up his 18-yard quarterback keeper around the right side for a 7-0 lead.
After the offenses traded punts, White County set up shop at its own 32 when Wallace intercepted a pass over the middle and returned it 41 yards to the Warriors’ 5-yard line. Three plays later, the defense bit on Cox’s play fake, and he found Dillinger all alone in the back of the end zone.
White County got on the board in the second quarter with the help of three straight offsides penalties against the Panthers’ defense, eventually turning third-and-6 into first-and-5. The Warriors capped the 82-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.
“That’s not being disciplined,” Stowe said of the costly penalties. “We practice that all the time. It’s crazy because we had (White County) backed up and we let them out with penalties; gave them some free yards.”
Right before the break, the Panthers’ defense denied a White County heave to the end zone, and then Haze Burnett blocked a 42-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the first half.
“I’m proud of the defense,” Stowe said. “We had a blocked kick and an interception. In the second half, they kept battling and they gave us a chance by getting us into overtime.”
The third quarter was spent dealing with wet conditions under a steady rain that moved over the stadium at halftime. The Panthers went three-and-out on their opening possession, and White County responded by driving 67 yards on 10 plays to even the score at 14-14.
With the offense spinning its wheels, the defense kept Union County in the game, stopping the Warriors three straight times from inside the 10-yard line and eventually forcing a missed field goal to keep the score even early in the fourth.
Looking for a late spark with the rain easing up, Moses entered the game and had the offense moving through the air, completing three passes to the White County 34-yard line. Unfortunately, a holding penalty negated a 16-yard pass to Davis that would have put the Panthers inside the red zone. A second-down sack dropped Union into third-and-30, resulting in a punt a play later.
“I felt like we had a couple drives going in the second half but we had a huge drop and a couple of calls made against us,” Stowe said. “That derailed two drives, and right now we’re handcuffed with our youth because of injuries. We have to play perfect and we weren’t able to do that.”
Neither offense crossed midfield for the remainder of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the fight of our team,” Stowe said. “Our players still believe and they know they can get this thing going. They know that if they keep playing hard, good things are going to happen.”
Moses finished the game 3 of 8 with 46 yards through the air. Cox went 6 of 9 for 45 yards and a touchdown pass. He also rushed for 25 yards and a score.
Stowe addressed the quarterback situation after Cox and Moses split snaps at White County.
“We need Chetley on defense and he just gets tired,” he said. “Sometimes he needs a break, and Joe is a good quarterback as well. At the end, we felt like Joe had the better arm and we needed to throw the ball to have the best chance to win.”
Davis caught three passes for 52 yards; senior Brandon Lynch had two grabs for 17 yards; Wallace caught one pass for 15 yards; Dillinger had one touchdown grab; and Sean Rosa added one reception.
On the ground, the Panthers mustered only 50 yards on 26 carries, led by Lynch’s 10 rushes for 26 yards.
“I want to give a special shout-out to Brandon Lynch and Alan Godinez,” Stowe said. “They weren’t the only ones but those two were really big leaders last week and they set the tone in practice.
“I also want to mention Christiaan Jordan, our backup sophomore kicker. He did a fabulous job filling in with the punting and kicking duties. Under the circumstances, with a wet ball and having to handle some bad snaps, I thought he did a fabulous job.”
Up next: The Panthers visit 0-2 Stephens County, which has suffered losses to Habersham Central (45-7) and Gilmer (43-28). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Interestingly, Friday marks the first meeting between Union County and Stowe’s alma mater. However, the Panthers did face Toccoa High School during the 1965 postseason, losing 41-18.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Stowe said. “It means a lot to face my alma mater. I feel like part of who I am today is from growing up in Toccoa.
“We’re excited about it. They’re one of the blue bloods of this area and we know we have our hands full. This is their home opener, and at 0-2, you know they are hungry for a win.”
Adding another layer to Friday’s matchup, Stowe will find himself on the opposite sideline from his nephew, Stephens County’s starting quarterback.
“He’s a very good junior quarterback that can sling it a country mile,” he said. “I’m very proud of him, he’s a great kid and I hope he has a good night, but I hope he comes up on the short end when it’s all said and done Friday.”
Injury update: Senior offensive tackle Logan Clason tore his ACL against Fannin and will require season-ending surgery.
