UNION — In a back and forth contest on Friday night, Union County emerged with its first home win of the season, defeating Broome, 51-37.

“Tonight was about never giving up,” said Coach Steve Taneyhill. “There were a bunch of times we could’ve just folded up shop but we didn’t.”

Broome started off as expected with nine straight hand offs, chewing time off the clock and eventually reaching the end zone with a 3-yard Corey Bennett quarterback keep. With 6:55 left in the first quarter the point-after-kick was good for the early 7-0 lead.

Union County got on the board with a 35-yard connection between quarterback Keiston Smith and receiver T.J Foster. Brandon Shetley’s PAT was on the money for the 7-7 tie.

Broome shook things up in the second quarter when Bennett aired it out three times in a single possession which was one pass more than he attempted in an entire game last week at Clinton.

The Centurions reclaimed the lead when Bennett found his receiver for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The successful PAT made it a 14-7 ballgame with 8:28 left in the half.

Union County responded with a 35-yard pass to Kalay Jones that set up a 5-yarder to Victor Ruth for six points and Smith ran in the two-point-conversion that gave the Jackets a 15-14 lead.

The Centurions were held to their first three-and-out but a Union County pass was picked off and returned the length of the field for a touchdown and with the PAT Broome took a 21-15 lead.

Jones reeled in a 20-yard touchdown pass and Shetley’s PAT allowed the Jackets to carry a 22-21 lead into the locker room.

Broome opened the third quarter with its second onside kick of the night and recovered at the Union County 37 where Cameron Dawkins put the Centurions back in front with a touchdown carry.

The two point conversion was unsuccessful for a 27-22 score with 10:52 on the clock.

Smith connected with Ruth for 21 yards to the 10-yard line where he took it the rest of the way on a quarterback keep. The two point conversion was successful for a 30-27 Union County lead.

Late in the third quarter, Smith ran in his second touchdown, giving the Jackets a 10 point advantage before Broome cut the margin to seven with a field goal.

The Centurions hit pay dirt once in the fourth quarter knotting the game at 37-37 before Union County broke away with a pair of touchdown runs courtesy of Trayvon Davis and Smith for the 51-37 final.

For more game details and stats, visit our website at www.uniondailytimes.com and pick up a copy of our Tuesday print edition.

Sports Editor Tiffany Grady-Hudgins can be reached at thudgins@heartlandpublications.com or by cell at (864) 251-4330.