SPARTANBURG — What to do on a Friday night in late August?

Football, of course, and fans of the Union County High School Yellow Jackets weren’t disappointed.

The pre-season hype disappeared when Spartanburg kicked the ball off at home to Union County and officially started the 2010 high school football season Friday night.

The Yellow Jackets put up a fight right up to the end of the fourth quarter but unfortunately couldn’t come up with a Week 1 win, falling to rival Spartanburg 27-19.

Late in the fourth quarter, Union County had one last chance from their 1-yard line but failed to gain the needed yard and turned the ball over on downs.

The scoreboard resembled an offensive showdown but the Vikings and Yellow Jackets contributed great field position to set up a high-scoring first half.

Spartanburg quarterback Adrian Kollock had a dominating first-half performance, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another to give the Vikings a 24-13 lead at halftime.

Spartanburg scored on its first possession. Kollock threw a 5-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.

The Jackets answered the Spartanburg touchdown with a big play of their own in the first frame.

Union County quarterback Keiston Smith found sophomore wide receiver Victor Ruth down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown pass. Robert Shetley's PAT tied the game 7-7.

Union County's defense contributed an interception but the Jackets offense stumbled and gave the ball back to the Vikings at the Union County 11-yard line.

The Vikings took advantage of the second chance. Kollock sneaked in the end zone from one yard out and the Vikings took a 14-7 lead by the end of the opening quarter.

The Vikings added to their lead on the first possession of the second quarter.

On the drive's first play, Kollock found a wide-open receiver for a 30-yard touchdown and the 21-7 lead.

Spartanburg added to its growing lead with 7:38 remaining in the half.

The Vikings field goal attempt was good for the 24-7 lead.

Just when the Vikings seemed to control momentum, Ruth returned the ensuing kickoff 28 yards to the Jackets 37-yard line

With 6:34 remaining in the first half, Union County's Michael Johnson burst through the middle and hit the numbers for a 58-yard touchdown. Brandon Shetley's PAT was no good and the Jackets trailed 24-13. The score remained 24-13 as the teams took the field for second half action.

Union County scored its last six points of the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Floyd around the eight minute mark in the third quarter.

The Vikings added to their lead with a field goal early in the third quarter, making the score 27-13.

Late in the fourth quarter, Union County recovered a blocked punt on the Vikings 1-yard line but failed to score.

On fourth and two, the Jackets had one last chance for the win. The Vikings blitzed and forced an incomplete pass ending the Jackets fourth quarter charge.

The Jackets turned it over on downs and the Vikings were victorious 27-19.

Smith had two touchdown passes on the night, one for 12 yards to Floyd and a 62-yard completion to Ruth.

Johnson was Union County's leading rusher and the senior running back had a 58-yard touchdown run to lead the Jackets.

The Jackets defense forced four turnovers and intercepted Kollock three times. Josh Armstrong, Rickey Rice and Robert Littlejohn had interceptions.