Sports Editor

The Sims' 8th grade football team opened up with a big lead in the first half, as they led 20-0 at the break. Then the Tigers had to hang on, as they pulled out another win with a 20-14 victory over D.R. Hill.

Sims got things started with an interception on defense by Devontae Glenn. The offense moved the ball with some good blocking by the offensive line - Josh Simpson, Jacob Painter, Joseph Cannon, Jarrad Fowler and Michael Stewart - and hard running by Adrian Brown and Dextra Goggins.

Keiston Smith connected with Bubba Means for a 32-yard pass and after a couple of more runs, hit Reggie Morman with a touchdown pass of 11 yards.

The defense held and on Sims' second possession, Smith connected with Dalton Murphy for an 84-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, the kick was a short and was recovered by Chase Ward to give the ball back to the Tigers' offense. On their final drive of the first half, the offense took the ball 41 yards on some good running by Devian Davis and Goggins, who scored on an 8-yard touchdown run and then took the ball in for the 2-point conversion.

In the second half, there were a couple of stalled drives by the Sims offense and an interception that was returned for a touchdown by D.R. Hill.

D.R. Hill drove the ball 70 yards for its first score and then three plays later the interception for a touchdown gave them momentum.

Sims then was able to control the clock for the last six and a half minutes of the game to seal the victory.

The defense of Murphy, Jamarcus Rice, Goggins, Simpson, Curtis Garrett, Kent Foster, Chase Austin, Corey Land, Brown, Means and Glenn played well.

The Tigers (3-0) travel to undefeated Boiling Springs next week.

JMS FOOTBALL

CHESNEE - The Wildcats defeated Chesnee 34-6 on Thursday.

Jonesville Middle forced a fumble on Chesnee's second play from scrimmage. The fumble was picked up and returned to the Chesnee 3 by Tyree Eison. The Wildcats struck first on a 9-yard pass from Quabel Henderson to TJ Jeter.

Chesnee drove the field and tied the game on a 12-yard run. From there it was all JMS.

Quabel Henderson took it in from a yard out and the Wildcats completed the conversion on a pass from Henderson to Cameron Gory, putting the Cats up 14-6.

Jeter intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards. Henderson intercepted a Chesnee pass and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. Henderson completed the conversion on a pass to Keamond Eison, putting the ‘Cats up 28-6.

JMS ended the scoring on a 55-yard touchdown run by Keamond Eison. The conversion failed.

"Our defense gave up an easy drive on Chesnee's second possession, but they more than made up for it with two scores of their own,” said coach Michael Mullinax. “We threw the ball well offensively, but our running game was a little stagnant. We need to get that corrected.

“Coach (Mark) Inman, coach (Marion) Eison and coach (John) Langenfeld challenged our defense after the Chesnee score and they responded well. Our kids fought their hearts out and it showed on the scoreboard."

JMS (3-1) hosts Campobello-Grambling next Thursday.

Players of the Game

Offensive: Keamond Eison - "Keamond stepped in as our QB in the fourth quarter and had a long run for a touchdown. He also made an excellent adjustment on a pass for a conversion.

Defensive: TJ Jeter - "TJ had an interception and a fumble recovery that set us up in a position to take control of the game."

FRESHMAN FOOTBALL

TAYLORS - Union County's 9th grade football team whipped Eastside 46-0 on Thursday.

George McBeth had a fumble return for a touchdown. Taylun Wallace scored on a run. Dierrius Beachum scored on a punt return and a run. Calvin Williams had a touchdown run. Ethan Turner had a two-point conversion.

It was a good team win,” said coach Will Hickson. “Everyone contributed. We continue to play hard and get better every week. I'm proud of our defense, pitching the shutout. I'm proud for the kids to get the win after two tough weeks.”

UCHS (2-3, 1-2) hosts Riverside on Thursday.

JV FOOTBALL

TAYLORS - Union County's junior varsity football team defeated Eastside 44-0 on Thursday.

UCHS (3-1, 3-0) hosts Riverside on Thursday.