Union County travels to Hancock County for small-town showdown

Another week of Friday Night Lights is upon us. KSR will have boots on the ground all over the state, as per usual. Daniel Hager is headed to Louisville to watch a Top 25 matchup between No. 9 St. X and No. 19 DuPont Manual, Brady Byrdwell will watch Fern Creek travel to Bullitt East in a big 6A matchup, and I’ll be keeping it (somewhat) local to watch a big district matchup between Union County and Hancock County in Lewisport, KY.

The Union County Braves are on an undefeated campaign (7-0) and come into Friday night’s game ranked fifth in the 3A class RPI. They’ll face 5-2 district foe Hancock County — 15th in the 3A RPI — at the Hornets’ stomping grounds. Let’s take a look at how they’ll match up in tonight’s game.

Union County Rush Game

The Braves’ offense is led by junior Jarren Johnson. And no, he’s not just the quarterback. The versatile running back/defensive back has totaled 1,490 offensive yards, leading the team with 324 yards passing and 1,166 yards rushing. That’s 59% of the UC offense generated by Johnson. He’s also tallied 23 total touchdowns on the season (19 rushing, four passing). It won’t be surprising to see him take the snaps tonight, as he is the key player for the Braves.

Sophomore fullback Willem McPeake is the second option for the Braves, with 679 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on the season. UC doesn’t usually opt for a pass play (Johnson has thrown the ball just 37 times all season), but if they do, it’ll be to senior Duncan Mills, who has 205 yards receiving and a touchdown so far.

On defense, Union County has three players with at least 59 tackles. Senior Waylon Wheatly leads the way with 65 total tackles (4.0 for loss) and one fumble recovery while juniors Kamden Davis and Amare Black are tied with 59 total tackles each. Davis and Black have also combined for 8.0 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, junior Koleby Schroeder and sophomore Luke Thomas both have four interceptions apiece.

Hancock County Pass Game

The Hornets’ offense, on the other hand, center their offense around the quarterback and have options in the air and on the ground.

Junior quarterback Dylan Morris has tallied 1,223 yards and seven touchdowns passing coming into tonight’s game, averaging 174.7 yards per game. He’s got a few different options in the air, too. Senior Landen Garrison has totaled 364 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Sophomores Cooper Jones and Jack Roberts have combined for 523 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Morris has options everywhere.

Nearly half of the Hornets’ offense is generated on the ground, senior Aiden Weatherholt leading the way with 368 yards rushing along with five touchdowns. Chris Gillispie and Jack Roberts follow, combining for 346 yards with six touchdowns.

On defense, Weatherholt leads the way with an impressive 96 tackles, including eight for loss and three sacks. He also has two forced fumbles and received two fumbles. Sophomore Ross Powers and junior Hayden Shearn are also noteworthy, as they have 83 and 50 total tackles, respectively, on the season. Powers leads the teams with 12 tackles for loss.

What does this mean?

The two teams run nearly polar opposite offenses. You can bet lots of time was spent in the film room this week for both teams, practicing to adjust and prepare their defenses accordingly. The UC Braves will make the hour-and-a-half trip to Hancock County, facing the long bus ride and away game disadvantage. But, they’re fueled to improve to 8-0 on the season and continue their undefeated season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.