The Yellow Jackets non-region schedule is tougher than any other 3A school in the state.

So, it is easy for fans to become discouraged when their team loses its first three games but the season is not over yet. Not a single one of the three losses count towards the Jackets’ quest for a second straight region title and Union County High School’s first state title.

The journey is not over and the county’s fan base is needed along the way now more than ever.

The Yellow Jackets football team lost their first three regular season games and look to get on a winning run starting Friday at Laurens. However, the three losses were against Spartanburg, Broome and Gaffney who all are in the top ten of their respective classifications.

Gaffney had a lot to prove coming into last Friday’s game at the Union County Stadium and, unfortunately, Union County was the victim.

Last Friday’s lopsided victory came against a very good Gaffney team led by senior quarterback DeEdward Burris. Burris is the best quarterback the Jackets’ defense will face all year and he showed just how good he was against the Yellow Jackets. Burris threw two touchdowns to Quinshad Davis and ran for another as he led the Indians’ rushing attack with 75 yards. More importantly, he converted on several key third downs with his ability to scramble and created time for a receiver to get open.

Burris and the Indians’ offense did not need any help but in the first half the Yellow Jackets gave Gaffney opportunity after opportunity.

Union County’s first possession netted -5 yards and an interception, but more than just a possession it gave the Indians the ball on the Jackets 32. Gaffney’s average first-half starting position was on their own 47, compared to the Jackets average line of scrimmage which began at their own 23. A staggering statistic considering one team begins near midfield and the other starts their drives closer to their opponent’s end zone.

Turnovers played another key role in last week’s defeat. Union County quarterback Keiston Smith struggled against the Indians, who were much faster and athletic than either team Union County faced in its first two contests. Gaffney was in the sophomore quarterback’s face all night, hurried many passes and knocked the Jackets’ signal caller down multiple times. The Jackets turned the ball over three times assisting with the Indians’ 28 second-quarter points. The turnover that hurt the Jackets most came on a third and 10 from their own 20 when Smith was pressured by the Gaffney defender and in an effort to throw the ball out of the bounds, Smith’s ball did not have enough on it and fell into a Gaffney defender’s hands and he raced 24 yards for a 27-7 lead. Union County received the following kickoff and a Union County penalty moved the ball to the Jackets 7. After a sack and an incomplete pass, Gaffney came up with another interception. The Indians converted on fourth and four and on the first down play Burris hooked up with Davis for the duo’s second touchdown connection.

The Yellow Jackets’ offense never seemed to find a rhythm as the Indians held Union County to a mere 12 yards on the ground. The Jackets’ offensive line will need to take a closer look at its game plan if they expect to contend when region play rolls around. Yes, the Indians have superb athletes on both sides of the ball, but Laurens, Clinton and other Yellow Jacket opponents will try to exploit the offensive line’s weaknesses.

Take away Victor Ruth’s 74-yard touchdown catch and Union County had -10 yards on its six first half drives. In the game, Gaffney earned 21 first downs compared to the Yellow Jackets’ four.

The Jackets must establish a running game first and look to throw the ball second. I hate to keep harping on this same note, but it begins up front on the offensive line. Union County is too talented at the specialty positions not to make plays, but it rests on the offensive linemen’s shoulders. Each lineman must step up from this point today and take responsibility for the Jackets’ offensive productivity.

SILVER LINING

Union County senior Jordan Sims played a superb game from the linebacker position coming up with two key sacks and a tackle for a loss. Gaffney was forced to punt in the first quarter when Sims shot the gap and took down Burris for an 8-yard loss.

Punter William Holcombe had an impressive showing for the Yellow Jackets vs. the Indians, the sophomore averaged 35.5 yards on four punt attempts. Kicker Brandon Shetley was perfect on the night going two for two on point after attempts.

Union County received a stellar performance from sophomore wide out Kalay Jones. Jones had three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown vs. the Indians. He is the fourth Yellow Jacket to score this year.

The Jackets cut their penalties dramatically from the embarrassing 174 penalty yards vs. Broome. Union County committed only four penalties for 51 yards vs. Gaffney.

The Jackets’ next chance to improve comes Friday night at Laurens High School. The Raiders are coming off a 34-0 defeat by county rival the Clinton Red Devils. jpettit@heartlandpublications.com

The Yellow Jackets non-region schedule is tougher than any other 3A school in the state.

So, it is easy for fans to become discouraged when their team loses its first three games but the season is not over yet. Not a single one of the three losses count towards the Jackets’ quest for a second straight region title and Union County High School’s first state title.

The journey is not over and the county’s fan base is needed along the way now more than ever.

The Yellow Jackets football team lost their first three regular season games and look to get on a winning run starting Friday at Laurens. However, the three losses were against Spartanburg, Broome and Gaffney who all are in the top ten of their respective classifications.

Gaffney had a lot to prove coming into last Friday’s game at the Union County Stadium and, unfortunately, Union County was the victim.

Last Friday’s lopsided victory came against a very good Gaffney team led by senior quarterback DeEdward Burris. Burris is the best quarterback the Jackets’ defense will face all year and he showed just how good he was against the Yellow Jackets. Burris threw two touchdowns to Quinshad Davis and ran for another as he led the Indians’ rushing attack with 75 yards. More importantly, he converted on several key third downs with his ability to scramble and created time for a receiver to get open.

Burris and the Indians’ offense did not need any help but in the first half the Yellow Jackets gave Gaffney opportunity after opportunity.

Union County’s first possession netted -5 yards and an interception, but more than just a possession it gave the Indians the ball on the Jackets 32. Gaffney’s average first-half starting position was on their own 47, compared to the Jackets average line of scrimmage which began at their own 23. A staggering statistic considering one team begins near midfield and the other starts their drives closer to their opponent’s end zone.

Turnovers played another key role in last week’s defeat. Union County quarterback Keiston Smith struggled against the Indians, who were much faster and athletic than either team Union County faced in its first two contests. Gaffney was in the sophomore quarterback’s face all night, hurried many passes and knocked the Jackets’ signal caller down multiple times. The Jackets turned the ball over three times assisting with the Indians’ 28 second-quarter points. The turnover that hurt the Jackets most came on a third and 10 from their own 20 when Smith was pressured by the Gaffney defender and in an effort to throw the ball out of the bounds, Smith’s ball did not have enough on it and fell into a Gaffney defender’s hands and he raced 24 yards for a 27-7 lead. Union County received the following kickoff and a Union County penalty moved the ball to the Jackets 7. After a sack and an incomplete pass, Gaffney came up with another interception. The Indians converted on fourth and four and on the first down play Burris hooked up with Davis for the duo’s second touchdown connection.

The Yellow Jackets’ offense never seemed to find a rhythm as the Indians held Union County to a mere 12 yards on the ground. The Jackets’ offensive line will need to take a closer look at its game plan if they expect to contend when region play rolls around. Yes, the Indians have superb athletes on both sides of the ball, but Laurens, Clinton and other Yellow Jacket opponents will try to exploit the offensive line’s weaknesses.

Take away Victor Ruth’s 74-yard touchdown catch and Union County had -10 yards on its six first half drives. In the game, Gaffney earned 21 first downs compared to the Yellow Jackets’ four.

The Jackets must establish a running game first and look to throw the ball second. I hate to keep harping on this same note, but it begins up front on the offensive line. Union County is too talented at the specialty positions not to make plays, but it rests on the offensive linemen’s shoulders. Each lineman must step up from this point today and take responsibility for the Jackets’ offensive productivity.

SILVER LINING

Union County senior Jordan Sims played a superb game from the linebacker position coming up with two key sacks and a tackle for a loss. Gaffney was forced to punt in the first quarter when Sims shot the gap and took down Burris for an 8-yard loss.

Punter William Holcombe had an impressive showing for the Yellow Jackets vs. the Indians, the sophomore averaged 35.5 yards on four punt attempts. Kicker Brandon Shetley was perfect on the night going two for two on point after attempts.

Union County received a stellar performance from sophomore wide out Kalay Jones. Jones had three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown vs. the Indians. He is the fourth Yellow Jacket to score this year.

The Jackets cut their penalties dramatically from the embarrassing 174 penalty yards vs. Broome. Union County committed only four penalties for 51 yards vs. Gaffney.

The Jackets’ next chance to improve comes Friday night at Laurens High School. The Raiders are coming off a 34-0 defeat by county rival the Clinton Red Devils.