UC prepares for season finale

Union County will close out its season this evening, facing off in what they are calling their rivalry game.
Traveling to Byhalia, UC will take on Potts Camp, winners of its last two games.
“They’ve improved and made adjustments since their early season losses, so their personnel is where they want them to be, and they’ve improved on defense a lot,” UC coach Scott Duley said.“They have a solid defense that has posted two straight shutouts, and that’s something we’re having to prepare to face.”
The Cardinals’ last two games have come against Middleton, TN (36-0) and Immanuel Christian from Columbus (35-0). UC has the tough task of not only preparing offensively, but slowing down the Cardinals, something Duley said the team focused on in practice this week.
“We spent all day yesterday working on defense because we know they’re going to have good speed and they’re well coached,” he said.
“We’ve focused on the defense in practice because ultimately we want to hold Potts Camp to 21 points or less. Really, I’d like to hold them to 14 points or less, and I think if we’re able to complete one of those goals, we will have an opportunity to compete.”
Senior Gradon Pannell also talked about the more complex offense the team will use this week, hoping to throw off the Cardinals’ defense.
“We’re just going to try passing the ball more against because no one else has really seen that yet, so we’re going to try and put a passing attack on them and run a more complex offense and give them more to prepare for instead of just two plays,” he said.
Pannell and his fellow seniors will play in the final game of their high school career, and tonight, it about leaving everything on the field and finishing as winners.
“It’s a big rivalry game and it’s big for us seniors because this could possibly be the last game we play ever. It’s going to be a lot of excitement, and we’re just going to leave it all out on the field,” he said.
“Football is my passion, and without Coach Duley and Union County football, I would have never had the opportunity to play the sport I love, like most of the other county kids. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to play.”
Friday’s season finale game for UC is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Byhalia.

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