Carson Smith of North Union runs across the goal line during the first quarter of a ball game at North Union on Friday. The touchdown was the only one of the night for the Wildcats as they slipped to 3-3 after a 26-7 loss to Pleasant.
(Photo submitted)
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There is an old coaching mantra in football that says you have to play four quarters to win ball games. Unfortunately for North Union, the saying doesn’t ring more true than Friday night’s game in Richwood as the Wildcats lost a late 7-6 lead and ended up losing 26-7 to Marion Pleasant.
The lose puts the Cats back at .500 on the season at 3-3 with all of their victories coming on the road.
NU head coach Nick Hajjar says it comes down to playing hard.
“We started off fast, but we just didn’t finish tonight,” he said. “That is a credit to them (Pleasant). They played harder down the stretch and found a way to win.”
The Cats did play fast in the first quarter. They chose to kick to open the game, but the defense made sure they didn’t stay on the field long with a three-and-out.
The Cats took over possession and drove 69 yards on 12 running plays. The series was capped by Carson Smith’s nine-yard TD run.
Drake Price added the extra point to put the Cats up 7-0.
NU’s defense kept the Spartans’ ground game in check through the first quarter.
The second period closely mirrored the first as each team make solid efforts at driving the ball deep into enemy territory.
The Spartans made some headway, thanks to the strong leg of their kicker. Senior Logan Thompson blasted field goals of 39 and 38 yards to put the Spartans within one, 7-6.
That score would stay put through the half.
The third quarter turned into a defense grind with neither team able to put points on the scoreboard.
With the time running low in the period, the Spartans made a push for the end zone with the help of Matt Chase and Patrick Blubaugh.
Going into the final quarter, the Spartans found themselves 44 yards away from a touchdown. Those yards came and went on one play by Blubaugh as he weaved his way through the Wildcat’ defense for a touchdown.
The two-point conversion failed, but the Spartans held a 12-7 lead.
“I think we will have to get into the film and see,” said Hajjar. “Sometimes in games likes this, it’s just a matter of finding a way and tonight they did and we didn’t.”
The Cats had no answer for the Spartan touchdown as they had to punt after a Pleasant sack put them at “three and a mile.”
The Spartans made quick work of their offensive possession by scoring their second touchdown on five plays. After a successful PAT, the Spartans held a 19-7 lead.
The visitors weren’t finished with their scoring.
North Union was feeling the pressure and decided to throw the ball with more frequency. The air attack led to a North Union interception.
The Spartans scored one final time for the victory.
Hajjar reflected on the setback with the hopes of figuring it out in time for Marion Harding next week.
“After a loss, you can’t point fingers and you can’t divide,” said Hajjar. “You’ve got to stay together and in tough games like this it is hard.
“We’ve got a big game again next week on the road and just like after a win, you’ve got 24 hours to figure out what you did right and what you did wrong to get ready and move on.”