Union Co. hangs on, downs Devils, 28-21

 

UNION – Host Union County scored the go-ahead touchdown with just over three minutes to play, and the Yellowjackets’ defense stopped Clinton’s last-ditch drive to hold on for a 28-21 Region 3-3A victory Friday night.

A Jykorie Gary catch-and-run set up the Red Devils at the Union 5-yard line, but a call for an illegal chop block nullified a touchdown run Shy Kinard.

A 47-yard field-goal attempt fell short, allowing the Yellowjackets to take over and quickly move down field for the victory.

With the win, Union County (3-2) handed the Red Devils (2-3) their third region loss and eliminated them from playoff contention. Due to COVID-19, the South Carolina High School League has cut this year’s playoff field in half

Senior running back Ke’Avis Savage finished with 161 yards on 27 carries and a pair of touchdowns for Union County.

The Red Devils managed to roll up 400 yards of total offense, including 252 on the ground.

But it wasn’t enough to keep Clinton’s playoff hopes alive.

Clinton was able to hold its own, but was thwarted by penalties, with nine penalties for 151 yards, including the call that nullified the go-ahead score for Clinton late in the game. Union County was penalized once for 10 yards.

“I thought we played hard, but things didn’t go our way in the second half,” said Clinton head coach Corey Fountain. “We had some bad breaks and some turnovers, and you just can’t have turnovers.”

Kinard led the Clinton ground attack with 149 yards on 15 carries.

The Red Devils will travel to Johnston next Friday (Nov. 6) to face Strom Thurmond. They will return home on Nov. 13 to take on their intra-county rival Laurens District High School at Wilder Stadium.