On Friday night, the Union County Braves accomplished what no other team in school history has achieved: earning the right to compete for a state championship! In Friday’s Class 3A State Semifinal, Union County defeated the Belfry Pirates in front of a packed house at Baker Field that braved the frigid temperatures. Though Belfry is well known as an eastern Kentucky football powerhouse with 8 state titles to their name, this night belonged to the Braves, who won in impressive fashion, 43-21!
The Braves came out fast, scoring on the second play of their opening drive with a 54-yard TD run by Abe Fletcher. They followed with a disguised 2-point conversion throw from Caton Wilson to Keelyn Gobin that proved successful, making the score 8-0.
Belfry answered with an 8-play drive capped by a 17-yard TD run. The extra point made the score 8-7, Braves over the Pirates.
Union came right back and scored on their next drive, finishing with a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Caton Wilson. Kicker Jerry Sabino’s extra point attempt was good, bringing the score to 15-7.
The Braves got the ball right back when Belfry dropped the kickoff and Koleby Schroeder recovered. That set up a successful Braves drive that ended with a 17-yard TD run by Jarren Johnson. The extra point pushed the Braves lead to 22-7.
Union County added one more TD in the 2nd on a 1 yard run by Johnson. With the extra point, the Braves entered halftime with a 29-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Belfry came out with a 46-yard touchdown run on their first drive. But Union answered right back with a touchdown of their own, a 7-yard run by Johnson. The score was 36-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th, Belfry managed to score on a TD pass from Barney to Caudill to bring the score to 36-21. But shortly after, Johnson sealed the Braves win with another TD run, this one for 49 yards. The extra point made the score 43-21.
On Belfry’s final possession, Willem McPeake intercepted a pass attempt to effectively end the game. The Braves won with a final score of 43-21 over the Pirates.
In all, the Braves racked up 427 total offensive yards. Jarren Johnson ran for 233 yards, surpassing 5,000 for his career. He picked up 4 touchdowns for the night on offense and made 2 interceptions on defense. His amazing performances week after week have earned him serious consideration for the state’s Mr. Football award.
The Braves now head to Lexington to take on Christian Academy of Louisville (CAL) for the KHSAA Class 3A State Championship next Saturday, Dec. 7. The CAL Centurions are the 2-time defending state champions. The title game will be played at Kroger Field, home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, at 11 CST/12 EST. For ticket info, visit https://gofan.co/event/2204173?schoolId=KHSAA
What a run for Union County! Why stop now? GO BRAVES!!!
(Photo Below: Bob & Joe Photography)
