The Yellow Jackets’ JV team came out Thursday night with a lot to do.

Win another game.

Improve as a team and as individuals.

Represent Union County.

The Union County team showed the eighty or so fans on hand, the Jackets future is in good hands.

Gaffney quarterback Shaquille Davidson broke tackles on his way to a 56-yard touchdown with 3:02 remaining to push the Indians over the top in a 34-27 win over Union County.

Although, the Jackets (1-2) did not get a victory, the team looked strong from start to finish.

In a matter of seconds the excitement and clamor on the Jackets’ sideline and stands turned abruptly to the silence of crickets chirping.

Union County received many chances to score in the fourth quarter and on its fourth and final chance Jacket quarterback Nathan Williford found an open receiver who lunged past the goal line for a 26-26 tie. Brandon Shetley’s PAT gave the Jackets the 27-26 lead— their third lead of the game.

The Jackets jumped on the board quickly when Deveon Smith caught the opening kickoff at his own 9 and outraced the Indians’ kickoff team 91 yards for a 6-0 lead. Shetley’s PAT was good and just like that Union County was up 7-0 at The Reservation.

Gaffney answered on their ensuing drive when Robinson found a wide receiver for a 25-yard touchdown. The PAT split the uprights and the Indians tied the Jackets.

Union County’s Williford played in the place of Dakota Ivester—who was injured in last week’s victory vs. Broome. Williford stepped up and threw two touchdows on the night. Michael Edwards was the recepient of Williford’s first touchdown in the second quarter on a 23-yard scoring catch. Shetley’s PAT was blocked and the Jackets reclaimed the lead, 13-7.

Union County’s Smith looked impressive in the Thursday night’s contest. Smith led the Jackets with 221 all-purpose yards and punched in two touchdowns. His second came with 3:19 remaining in the half after Gaffney recaptured the lead. Smith scored on a two-yard scoring dive and the Jackets’ took the 20-20 tie into halftime.

The Jackets’ offense was impressive in the first half. Williford threw for 67 yards and Smith gained 59 rushing yards in the half.

Gaffney broke the tie with 1:31 left in the third quarter when Davidson took it in from 9 yards out. The two-point conversion was denied and the Indians claimed a 26-20 lead.

“Cornbread” predicted shortly after that point, the Jackets would win the game.

“They gonna get this one, watch what I tell you,” Cornbread said.

The Jacket defense gave the team chance after chance to take the lead and the win.

When Union County’s William Holcombe punted to start the fourth quarter, the Jackets defense stepped up and got their first of two fourth quarter turnovers. Edwards recovered the Indians’ fumble and sped 48 yards to Gaffney’s 15, but the offense stalled and Holcombe punted away from the original line of scrimmage.

Union County’s defense did not fret as they handed the offense the ball again after the Jackets’ interception in the end zone.

The Indians took over at the 20 and Union County’s Brandon Parker recovered a fumble on Gaffney’s first play.

Just like that momentum swung to the Jackets.

This time Union County used its second chance to score the go ahead touchdown. Shetley’s PAT made it 27-26.

Two plays and 29 seconds later, Davidson broke several tackles en route to a 56-yard touchdown. The Indians’ 2-point conversion drove the dagger in as Gaffney took the 34-27 lead with 3:02 remaining in the game.

Jackets ninth-grade football

The Jackets’ ninth-grade team showed up at The Reservation Thursday after an open week and came out looking sharp.

Union County could not keep the momentum going as Gaffney scored 20 first-half points en route to their 26-6 win.

Gaffney running back Jo Jo McGill and wide receiver Hylek Foster accounted for the Indians’ four scores.

Union County put six points on the board with 1:58 remaining in the game when quarterback Matthew Barnett found Denzel Means on a 42-yard toucdown strike.

The Jackets’ Jermaine Lindsay deflected a pass and Jimmy Johnson intercepted the Indians pass in the first quarter.

Union County’s Charles Johnson added two receptions for 23 yards.