JV highlight reel
JV Panthers blow away Bobcats 42-0
By JARED PUTNAM

A hungry Union County defense tumbles over top of one another to down the ball carrier.

The Panthers junior varsity team received a truer test of what it is capable of last week, defeating the Gilmer County Bobcats 42-0.

Coach C.T. Hussion said the game served as a better litmus test, showing that the jv club has often been up against older, more polished competition this season.

Against Gilmer the j.v. Panthers faced only freshmen and sophomores, players at their own age level.

"I think it finally showed the kids that this is who you are going to be playing against," said Coach Hussion. "These other teams in the region are going to be dealing with our kids for the next three years. They better get used to hearing some of their names."

The Panthers special teams and defense put the offense in good position early, pinning Gilmer inside their own 10 yard line on the first drive.

Union County claimed an advantage on the ensuing drive, scoring with 7:30 on the clock when quarterback Kolt Owenby ran one in from just outside the 10 yard line.

Another three and out by the Bobcats led to Jordan Mason executing a big run that set up a short yardage situation for the Panthers. Jared Arrant dove into the end zone with 3:35 remaining in the first period. The two point conversion was good on another run by Owenby.

Michael Driskell makes the reception.

On the Panthers next drive Michael Driskell hauled in a bomb pass, bringing the ball down to the Gilmer County 3 yard line. Blake Gowder capped off that drive with a 3 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 with 17 seconds left in the opening period.

The Bobcats began the second quarter by failing to convert on fourth down at their own 29 yard line. Union County did not even allow their opponent a first down until well into the third quarter.

This time around Blake Gowder punished the Bobcats for not punting the ball away by rolling off a 29-yard touchdown run. Another two point conversion by the Panthers put them out to a 28-0 advantage.

The Panthers next possession resulted in a big Nathaniel Beaver run that left Union County knocking on the door again at the 1 yard line. Manning Thomas lowered his shoulder and ran over a Bobcats defender to put Union County in the end zone again.

Jared Arrant goes airborne for the touchdown.

On the next drive Gilmer County was intercepted by Owenby who was also playing defense. Owenby ran the ball into the end zone and the referee signaled touchdown but it was later ruled that Owenby stepped out at the 6 yard line Beaver ran the ball in from the 6 to push the score to 42-0 with 3:12 remaining in the first half.

A number of these players have been played 12 quarters in the past two weeks, essentially giving them three games of experience in two weeks. Coach Hussion said the benefits are becoming more apparent each week, particularly in this game. "It's starting to show in their tackling and fundamentals," said the coach.

Jordan Mason picks up a big chunk of yardage. Colt Dyer makes the tackle. The Panthers defense gave 110 percent effort all game long. Kolt Owenby scores on the interception but was later ruled out of bounds at the 6 yard line. Kolt Owenby slings the pass over the outstretched arms of the defensive line. Nathaniel Beaver scores on a 6-yard run.