Okay, okay, I was wrong. In last week’s Union County vs. Broome football preview I wrote, “If the Jackets hold Broome to 130 yards rushing, Union County could win big. If not, expect this one to come down to the fourth quarter for a second straight week.”

Well, I did not consider several factors like penalties, turnovers and point after attempts.

The Yellow Jackets suffered a heartbreaking loss Friday night vs. Broome 20-13. Union County led most of the game before surrendering 14 fourth-quarter points on two costly turnovers.

Union County’s defense held the Centurions to only 48 rushing yards.

Point after attempts are crucial to maintaining momentum and adding to the lead after the touchdown. It is even more important to convert on the first try, so that there is no catch up to play. The Jackets will need point after conversions if they plan on playing deep into November.

Sophomore Brandon Shetley looks solid when the young kicker has time. The coaching staff and the entire team depend on this—oh, so special— team. Prime numbers like 19 and 13 are odd football scores. Multiples of three or seven like 28, 21 and 14 are solid, winning football scores.

It takes time to master kicking fundamentals and Shetley is constantly working on it by playing in eight live play quarters every week.

Union County showed in spurts during the first two games they can contend against a pair of playoff teams.

However — fundamental mistakes vs. Spartanburg and Broome stripped the (0-2) Jackets of a “2” in the win column.

Broome is (2-0) because vs. York and Union County the Centurions clicked at the right time to take two wins.

Broome’s offense had fewer possessions but instead the Centurions capatilized when needed.

Football —like a few other sports— is all about getting the most when it counts.

The Jackets need a few more vocal leaders to energize the team when times get tough like the fourth quarter agatinst two talented and well-coached ball teams.

Due to our 10:30 p.m. print deadline, I left the game at the end of the third quarter and was forced to listen to the game’s end on ESPN Radio 1400 AM. The story line seemed clear and relatively easy to write. However, Broome had other plans to the story’s conclusion.

Not only was the game of a tale of two halves, but it was a mysteriously weird turn around.

What seemed like Jacket luck with the first-half kickoff recoveries quickly turned for the worse in the second half.

In the game, the Jackets committed 17 penalties for a staggering 164 yards and Union County’s penalty yards more than doubled their 78 passing yards.

The penalties were crucial, but not more than in the second half when it seemed like the Jacket offense was in rewind. Most coaches say a game should never come down to the official’s overthrown yellow hanky. And, agree or disagree, the penalties were issued and the offense’s production fell backwards as they coughed up the ball three times in the game’s final half.

No turnovers were more costly than the pair midway through the fourth quarter. The Centurions’ defense recovered a Jacket fumble and picked Smith and the offense turned it into 14 points and their second victory.

The Jackets have many things to learn and use from these two defeats. First, Union County must protect the ball. The defense and special teams are providing ­­extra opportunities for the offense. The Jackets’ offense must challenge itself to score every time they touch the ball.

If the Jackets can begin minimizing mistakes Friday vs. Gaffney, then Columbia is still a possibility. The time is now for the Jackets. The media puts a lot into every scheduled game, but it’s the last five regular season games that count the most. The Jackets must minimize mistakes from the Broome game to Friday’s game vs. Gaffney, because come region play time, mistakes won’t be overlooked as easily. Union County goes on the road for four out of their five region games.

Friday night’s highlights were the impressive running game by Smith, Union County’s sophomore quarterback, and the defense’s ability to shut down Broome’s strong suited running game.

Smith led the Jackets with 18 carries for 58 rushing yards. However, the Jackets need more from seniors Michael Johnson and Dierris Beacham. The big play backs Johnson and Beacham combined for only 55 yards on 18 rushes vs. Broome.