Union wins state championship

By BRIAN WHITMORE
Sports Editor-Union Daily Times

COLUMBIA - Camden was looking for a second straight state championship, what they got was a trip to the woodshed and a good old-fashioned whipping.

Union defeated Camden 61-28 on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia to become the Class AAA state football champion for the third time in four years. The Yellow Jackets dominated every phase of the game, leaving no doubt who the best Class AAA football team in the state was, while avenging last year's 24-21 overtime loss to Camden in the state title game.

"I could have went ahead and died after the first (championship), but to win three and come to this field to play four in a row, amazing," said Union coach Mike Anthony. "We've got a bunch of blue-collar, hard working kids, no superstars, and I think they wanted to prove tonight that this might be the best team we've had."

Union put the game away in the first half, leading 40-7 at the break.

Turnovers killed any hopes Camden had of repeating as champions. The Bulldogs had seven turnovers, three interceptions, and Union converted those miscues into five touchdowns and 34 points.

"It will probably take two or three weeks to sink in," said Anthony, about the final score. "I stood there in amazement. We did get some turnovers early, but I don't think they stopped us too much and that's a great defense. That's probably about as many points as they gave up all year."

Camden also hurt itself with nine penalties for 82 yards, including some senseless unsportsmanlike penalties, one helping Union convert on fourth down on a touchdown drive following an interception.

"The team that makes the least mistakes is most likely going to win," said Union senior linebacker Curtis Rice, who also kicked, caught two passes and ran for a touchdown in the game. "To come down here four years in a row and win three out of four, it feels great. We came out and made some big plays."

Union played flawless with no turnovers and were penalized just three times for 20 yards. The Jacket offense totaled 386 yards, 240 yards through the air, scoring two passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns.

"We came out and executed everything we practiced and did what we had to do, and didn't have many mess ups like in past couple of games," said Union quarterback Justin Knox. "Everybody was running great routes and the line was giving me plenty of time. Their defense was playing great, they just weren't in the right places at the right time, so we took advantage of the situations.

"It feels great, sort of like an obligation, ever since I've been in high school we've always been there," Knox said of leading Union to a championship in his first year as a starter.

Jacket running back Eirish Stevens led the running attack with 16 carries for 73 yards and four touchdowns.

"I guess they thought they'd come in and dominate us, but they had the monkey on their back," said Stevens. "We came back and took our ring back for coach Anthony. I love him to death, he's the best coach in the world. That's a great job by our offense and defense to put up 61 points. It's a great feeling, you can't explain it."

Knox rushed 13 times for 41 yards. De'Rail Sims ran twice for 74 yards and a touchdown. Chris Owens carried four times for 53 yards and Rice five times for 13 yards and a touchdown.

Stevens gave credit to the offensive line and Rice at fullback.

"The line is just explosive and I've got one of the best fullbacks in the state, he opened up a lot of lanes for me," said Stevens. "I want to congratulate him in going out with a bang. I hope I can do that next year."

The performance even amazed the offensive line.

"I just put another ring on this finger man," said Union senior offensive lineman Eric Young. "I'm so excited and glad we won. And we put up 61 freaking points."

The Yellow Jacket attack was well balanced as Knox completed 16-of-22 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He distributed the ball among six receivers, senior David Smith being his favorite target, hauling in seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

"Coming out here and scoring a touchdown on the college field where you are going to play is a very special moment," said Smith, who committed to play college football for South Carolina before the season began. "We had two factors - revenge and the loss they handed to our fellow teammates (last year). This win is dedicated to them."

Senior Charles Brandon had three catches for 22 yards. Blake Haney, also a senior, had two grabs for 17 yards and Andre Howze one reception for 20 yards.

"We came back hard," said Brandon, who was stopped 2 yards short of a game winning touchdown on the final play of regulation in last year's title game.

"They know it. They know we played hard. It seemed like in the first half they put their heads down like they didn't even want to play no more."

The Jacket defense held Camden to 295 yards total offense, only 59 yards on the ground. Bulldog quarterback Eric McCollom rushed 14 times for 84 yards and running back Randy Hooks ran 10 times for only 18 yards and a touchdown. Union constantly harassed McCollom, sacking him four times for 31 yards and forcing him to throw the three interception and fumble twice.

McCollom completed 11-of-22 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, much after the game was out of reach. Camden's triple-threat receiving corps could do little to salvage the situation - Teo Ellis caught four passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, Marvin Johnson had three grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown and Todd Glee had three receptions for 41 yards.

Rice led Union's defense with four tackles and two sacks for 18 yards. Jay Baylor, a senior, had five total tackles and two sacks for 13 yards. Seniors Antoine Smith and Deon Glenn, and LaMarcus Stewart also had five total tackles.

Anthony said Rice's performances should lead to some college offers.

"I think Curtis Rice came out here with something to prove to college scouts who say he's a borderline player," he said. "Ain't no question, he's as good as we've ever had and is the nicest kid you'd ever talk to."

The Jacket secondary had yet another big game, with three interceptions - two by Kendrick Lyles and one by Colie Gray, a senior. Lyles returned one pick for a touchdown.

"Man we're just that good," said Lyles, of secondary. "They passed and we showed them who the best was."

Union also got the job done on special teams. Nick Maness made seven PATs, Ricky Benvenuti averaged 27.5 yards on four punts and kick coverage didn't allow Camden to break open a big play. The Jackets also had good returns.

Union's first female football player also got in on the action.

"It's an excellent feeling being able to play," she said. "I only got to play one play and wish I could have went out more. I felt bad on the play, because I had to read a pass route and feel if I had pursued the quarterback it would have been a sack. "I've learned a lot from my teammates and coaches, about football and life experience that will go with me," said Rice, a senior.

Rice and her teammates will take a lot of good memories from the championship game.

It got started with Lyles' interception to end Camden's opening drive. Union was forced to punt, but Ellis fumbled the return and it was recovered by Brandon. A 13-yard pass from Knox to Smith set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Stevens for Union's first score.

Camden gave the ball right back to the Jackets. McCollom fumbled and Rich Kelly, a senior, recovered. One play later, Knox connected with senior Andre Howze on a 20-yard touchdown strike. The PAT was blocked by Camden's Ron Mackie and Union led 13-0.

Union then went on a 9 play, 47-yard drive. Haney caught a 16-yard pass and Brandon and 11-yard pass to help set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Stevens. A two-point conversion pass failed.

Lyles again intercepted McCollom on Camden's next drive and returned the pick for a 54-yard touchdown and the first score of the second quarter.

After a Bulldog punt, Union went on a seven play, 49-yard drive. A 26-yard pass from Knox to Smith set up a 1-yard Stevens touchdown. Another good kick by Maness and Union led 33-0.

Camden coughed up the ball again, this time Rice forced a McCollom fumble recovered by senior Antoine Smith, who returned the ball to the Camden 11-yard line. Knox found Smith for a 19-yard touchdown.

With 1:13 left in the half, Camden finally got on the board. McCollom scrambled for 25 yards to set up his 36-yard touchdown pass to Johnson. Jake Broom's kick was good and the score was 40-7 at the break.

The second half was more of the same. Union drove 67 yards in 11 plays for a score on its opening drive. Knox and Stevens ran hard, plus Knox found Smith, Brandon and Stevens on short passes to set up a 16-yard Stevens touchdown run.

Camden showed some spirit, coming right back. McCollom found Ellis on a 60-yard touchdown strike.

But McCollom was again intercepted on the Bulldogs' next drive, this time by senior Colie Gray, who returned the pick 21 yards to midfield. On fourth down, Camden was hit with a 15-yard pass interference penalty and then a 10-yard unsportsmanlike conduct flag to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Rice. Maness' kick gave Union a 54-14 lead, early in the fourth quarter.

Camden didn't quit. McCollom completed a 15-yard pass to Johnson, survived another fumble forced by Rice, completed a 22-yard strike to Ellis and ran for 30 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Hooks.

Union answered quickly, with a 74-yard Sims' touchdown. Union led 61-21

The final score came with 2:56 remaining. McCollom completed a 15-yard pass to Johnson, a 14-yard pass to Ellis and a 33-yard pass to Glee to set up a 17-yard touchdown strike to John Peebles.

During the celebration following the game, Anthony said he had the best coaching staff in the state and downplayed his role in the victory, giving them the credit. He also thanked his wife, Dale, and the wives of all the coaches for allowing them to do what they love, while raising children in their stead.

Anthony also downplayed the revenge factor.

"We didn't talk too much about revenge," he said. "We didn't have too. Our kids felt they got it taken away last year. They have been doing this a long time and they know how important it is."

Union 61, Camden 28
Camden    0    7    7    14  -  28
Union       13  27   7    14  -  61

Scoring summary
First quarter:
Union - Eirish Stevens 13-yard run (Nick Maness kick), 5:50. Drive: 3 plays, 34 yards, 1:14.
Union - Andre Howze 20-yard pass from Justin Knox (kick blocked), 4:54. Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:06.
Second quarter:
Union - Stevens 1-yard run (pass failed), 11:08. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:45.
Union - Kendrick Lyles 54-yard interception return (Maness kick), 10:12. Drive: 1 play, 54 yards.
Union - Stevens 1-yard run (Maness kick), 4:29. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:52.
Union - Smith 19-yard pass from Knox (Maness kick), 2:38. Drive: 4 plays, 11 yards, 1:41.
Camden - Marvin Johnson 36-yard pass from McCollom (Jake Broom kick), 1:13. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:21.
Third quarter:
Union - Stevens 16-yard run (Maness kick), 5:54. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 6:06.
Camden - Teo Ellis 60-yard pass from McCollom (Broom kick), 5:04. Drive: 2 plays, 64 yards, :50.
Fourth quarter:
Union - Curtis Rice 1-yard run (Maness kick), 11:24. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:25.
Camden - Randy Hooks 1-yard run (Broom kick), 6:56. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:28.
Union - De'Rail Sims 74-yard run (Maness kick), 5:10. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 1:46.
Camden - John Peebles 17-yard pass from McCollom (Broom kick), 2:56.

Team stats
  Camden / Union
First downs:  11 / 19
Rushing attempts 25 / 42
Rushing net yards 59 / 240
Passing attempts 22 / 22
Passes complete 11 / 16
Passes intercepted 3 / 0
Passing net yards 237 / 146
Total Net yards 296 / 386
Fumbles, lost 5-4 / 1-0
Penalties, yards 9-83 / 3-21
Punts, yards 3-91 / 4-110
Average punt 30.3 / 27.5
Possession time 18:46 / 29:14

Individual stats
Union
Rushing: Eirish Stevens 16-73-4; De'Rail Sims 2-73-1;Chris Owens 4-49; Justin Knox 13-41; Curtis Rice 5-11-1; Jarvis Rice 1- -1; Charles Brandon 1- -6.
Passing: Justin Knox 16-22-146-2.
Receiving: David Smith 7-83-1; Charles Brandon 3-22; Blake Haney 2-17; Curtis Rice 2 - -1; Andre Howze 1-20; Eirish Stevens 1 -5.
Defense: Curtis Rice 6 tackles, 2-18 loss, 4 sacks; Jay Baylor 5, 3-16, 2; Antoine Smith, LaMarcus Stewart, Deon Glenn, 5.

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