What a great night for Brave Nation on Friday as Union County earned the 2024 KHSAA Class 3A Region Championship and earned a spot in the State Semifinals! The Braves went on the road to face the Hart County Raiders, a team that ended Union County’s season in last year’s Regional Final and came into this year’s matchup undefeated. But on Friday, the Braves avenged last year’s heartbreak by earning a commanding 41-21 victory over the Raiders!
In the first half, the Braves jumped out to a 21-0 lead with a touchdown by Caton Wilson and two TDs by Jarren Johnson including an electrifying 75-yard TD run. Hart County scored with 1:25 left in the half to make it 21-7, but the Braves quickly attacked on their own drive and scored just before the half on a TD pass from Johnson to Koleby Schroeder. The Braves led 28-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Braves added 2 more TDs from Johnson, one coming on a one-play drive that Johnson took 51 yards to the end zone. The Raiders added one TD of their own, making the score 41–14 going into the 4th. Hart County scored another TD with 2 minutes left in the contest, but by that point, the game was decided. The Braves won by a final score of 41-21 over the Raiders!
Coming into the game, Union County was the underdog according to RPI rankings, but the Braves dominated the contest on both sides of the ball. In all, Union County racked up 372 total rushing yards, 283 of those coming from Johnson. Jarren added 98 passing yards in the game to cap off an impressive showing of 4 rushing TDs and one passing TD.
Coach Derek Johns credited his team’s preparation in practice and film study to earn the program’s most significant win in recent history. The victory sends the Braves to the State Semifinals for the first time since 2008. And for the first time ever, Union County will get to host the semifinal contest at home. They’ll take on Belfry High School this Friday night at Baker Field.
The Braves want everyone to come out and help them keep this special run going! GO BRAVES!!
