SPARTANBURG — On a night when lightning delayed the start of the game for more than 90 minutes, Union County provided the final fireworks.

Desmond Floyd caught a 22-yard scoring pass from Nick Mebane with 19 seconds left in the game to lift the Yellow Jackets (2-3) to a 17-14 victory over Broome Friday night.

“That was a stomach-twister,” coach David Lipsey said afterwards. “We talked about manning it up in the second half and we did. We showed a lot of guts coming back. It was a big-time play.”

All appeared lost for Union County with 2:07 left in the game when Michael Mebane’s halfback pass was intercepted in the end zone on fourth down, after the Yellow Jackets had marched 77 yards in 17 plays, eating up most of the fourth quarter in the process.

On second and goal from the 14-yard line, Mebane took a handoff and was hit at the 3, spun and dove into the end zone as two officials signaled a touchdown. Another official, however, ruled Mebane was down at the 3. Mebane was stopped for no gain on third down, setting up the desperation play on fourth down.

Union County’s defense stopped Broome and the Centurions were forced to punt with 36 seconds left. Tyler Massey’s kick was short and the Yellow Jackets took over at the Broom 26, setting up the final, thrilling seconds.

Broome (2-3) scored first when quarterback Chase Henry hit wide receiver Thomas Weeks on a slant pattern for a 59-yard touchdown. Massey’s kick gave the Centurions a 7-0 lead with 5:32 left in the first quarter.

Union County came right back, marching 74 yards in five plays to tie the score on Mebane’s six-yard scoring run. Mebane tallied 46 yards on three carries during the drive. On the night, he gained 125 yards on 19 carries.

Henry connected with Weeks again on the first play of the second quarter and the 25-yard scoring pass gave Broome a 14-7 lead. Henry was red-hot in the first half, completing seven of 10 pass attempts for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Alex Tucker pulled the Yellow Jackets to within 14-10 on his 41-yard field goal with 2:28 left in the third quarter.

Union County returns home next Friday to entertain Greer as region play begins.

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Union County 7 0 3 7 — 17

Broome 7 7 0 0 — 14

Broome — Weeks 59 pass from Henry (Massey kick)

UC — Mebane 6 run (Tucker kick)

Broome — Weeks 25 pass from Henry (Massey kick)

UC — Tucker 41 field goal

UC — Floyd 22 pass from Monroe (Tucker kick)

Statistics

First downs – Union County 15, Broome 13

Yards rushing — Union County 202, Broome 71

Yards passing — Union County 45, Broome 175

Passing, A-C-I — Union County 4-11-1, Broome 10-15-0

Rushing — Mebane (UC) 19-125, Monroe (UC) 6-27; Crocker (Broome) 5-19, Lipscomb (Broome) 5-14

Receiving — Johnson (UC) 3-10, Floyd (UC) 1-22, Beacham (UC) 3-11; Massey (Broome) 4-39, Weeks (Broome) 4-99, Foster (Broome) 2-22

Fumbles- lost — Union County 2-1; Broome 0-0

Penalties — Union County 6-35, Broome 7-55