Last week’s trip to Ball  State University was a long one, but well worth the drive to see the Patriots blank the Wes-Del Warriors, 20-0, and the UCHS Band and fans in the stands offering their support. 

Union County scored in their opening possession with  quarterback Michael Eversole  going 9 yards for the Pats’ first touchdown and 6-0 lead.  

 “Defensively we played really well to stop their run-heavy attack,” UC coach Joel Hofmann said. “They (WD) averaged less than 1 yard per carry which is fantastic and a testimony to how well our guys prepared.”

 Offense was absent in the second and third quarters but filled with penalties and/or turnovers. 

“Offensively and special team-wise we just seemed to have really bad-timed penalties/turnovers that killed a few scoring chances,” Hofmann said. “But offensively Eversole was really efficient throwing the ball (71 yards passing) and Evan Wolf nearly over the 100-yard mark for rushing with 98 yards.”

Union County offense returned in the fourth quarter with two TDs – Wolf’s short 3 yard run at the top of the third quarter and Marek Whitsell’s pass interception return for a touchdown near the end of the game. The 6’4” senior lineman picked off the pass at the goal line and appeared to fall backward over the goal line for the score. 

“Whitsell's interception  return for a TD is an example of his mental prep and film study,” Hofmann said. “He's very attentive to tendencies and plays smart to gain advantages.”

Kicker Rhett Hollen made good on two fourth-quarter PAT kicks to give UC a 20-0 shutout. 

“We have to play better with Tri coming to town for Senior Night,” Hofmann said. “They average 413 yards rushing a game.  We give up less than 60 yards rushing per game.  We have an opportunity to play a really, really strong team right before the playoffs start and make our fans proud in the final home regular season game.”

  Patriots host Tri  this week
The Senior Night game with Tri starts at 7 p.m. at  Curry/Phenis Field. 

Football Sectional
Union County hosts Eastern Hancock Friday, Oct. 21 at Curry/Phenis Field. Game time is 7 p.m.

“Hopefully we can get a really big crowd out to support these seniors and see a great game,” Hofmann said.

Other first round Sectional 38 football games include...Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter at Shenandoah, Heritage Christian at Northeastern and Winchester at Lapel. 

Quarter scores:
Union County     6   0   0   14 - 20
Wes-Del              0   0   0   0 -    0
First Quarter
UC - Michael Eversole 3 yd. Run, 7:04. PAT - Kick failed.              6-0
Fourth Quarter
UC - Evan Wolf 3 yd. Run, 8:28. PAT - Rhett Hollen kick.                  13-0
UC - Marek Whitsell 1 yd. Pass interception return, 1:51. PAT - Rhett Hollen kick.                   20-0                                                     
                               UCo       WD
First downs               14          8
Total plays                43         54
Total yards              209       104
Rushing yards         138         26 
UC-Wolf 16/89, Eversole 8/25, Takara 6/23, Wooley 1/-8.
Passing yards            71        78 
UC-Eversole 4/5-71 yd.
Receiving yards Wooley 2/37, Fritts 1/19, Takara 1/15.
Turnovers                   2          2 
Fumbles lost              2           0 
Interceptions             0          2
Penalties                4/20     5/45 
Uco Tackle Leaders - Wolf 9 (2 assists, 1 sack). Takara 6 (1 assist).  Wooley 6 (4 assists). Dishmond 5 (1 assist). Tom 3 (4 assists). Snyder 2. Tipton 2 (1 assist). Whitsell 2 (2 assists, 1 interception). Fritts 1 (1 interception). Darter 1. Boyd 1 assist. Tidrow 1 assist. Herring 1 assist. Taylor 1 assist.