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Local News
10-0 and playoff bound
November 02, 2009 at 8:22 am
By VIRG RANKIN
Pictured left - North Union junior Warren Shields gains valuable yardage against Buckeye Valley on Friday. Shields rushed for a game-high 163 yards in the Wildcats’ 15-13 victory over the Barons.
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Wildcats hold off Buckeye Valley to win MOAC; finish unbeaten
Perhaps the biggest drive of the year for North Union yielded no points.
It came in the final 6:53 of the fourth quarter at Buckeye Valley and it ran out the clock on a 15-13 win over the Barons that wrapped up the first perfect season in the 40- year history of North Union.
The previous 41 minutes were action packed for a game with just two touchdowns for each team. Of course, that was no surprise in a game where the outright championship of the MOAC’s Red Division was on the line and a possible playoff spot for the Barons as well.
By winning the game, the Wildcats claimed the conference title all to themselves at 9-0, one game ahead of Highland. The loss dropped the Barons to third at 7-2 and dashed their slim hopes of slipping into the playoffs.
It was a very physical game, as both teams ran the ball with success and struggled throwing the ball on a very windy night. NU junior Warren Shields led all rushers with 163 yards, while BV’s Cody Hughes tallied 146 and went over 1,000 yards for the season.
When the game was on the line in the second half, Shields was virtually unstoppable, posting key runs time after time, including 37 yards during the drive that sealed the win. His inspired play definitely has impressed NU coach Jesse Miller all season.
“Warren is the best player in the league in my opinion,” Miller said. “He is the most competitive, driven player I have ever coached.”
Each team possessed the ball twice in the first quarter. Both of BV’s turns with the ball ended with a punt, as did the Wildcats’ first attempt.
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