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Local Sports
Wildcats open season with win over Fairbanks
September 01, 2009 at 12:11 pm
By VIRG RANKIN
Pictured left -Fairbanks senior Austin Cain is brought down on a shoestring tackle by North Union sophomore Josh Sowder on the opening kickoff at NUHS on Saturday. The Wildcats notched a 21-13 win over the Panthers in the season opener for both teams.
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Fans from both ends of Union County who filled the stands at North Union High School on Saturday were treated to 48 minutes of intense football. In the end, only the home fans were truly happy.
North Union jumped out to a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter on the way to a 21-13 non-conference victory over Fairbanks in a game where the defenses of each team outshone its offense.
NU limited Fairbanks to six first downs and a meager 88 yards of total offense. The winners’ numbers were also modest, with 10 first downs and 198 yards.
The two teams combined for 17 punts and the kicking game was a major factor in the scoring. The Wildcats scored on a blocked punt and after a short punt, while the Panthers got their first points on an 86-yard punt return by Nick Gibson.
The defenses took control from the opening kick-off, as neither team could manufacture a first down on either of their first two possessions.
North Union forced the first break of the game on the Panthers’ third possession without a first down. Warren Shields broke through to block the ensuing punt and Clay Hastings scooped up the ball and scampered 13 yards for a touchdown. A perfect kick from Blake Taylor gave the Cats a 7-0 lead with 4:37 left in the quarter.
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For the full story, Click here for our E-edition.
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