By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
November 28, 2002
A week from now, either Union or Puckett will be preparing for a venture neither football team has made before – a trip to the state championship game.
The two will decide which team earns that berth Friday night when the Region 3-1A rivals tangle for the Class 1A South State championship at Union. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Either Weir, 13-0, or Calhoun City, 11-2, will represent the North State.
Union, 10-3, beat Puckett 18-13 three weeks ago at Union for the 3-1A title.
The Yellowjackets beat Lake 31-14 last week, while Puckett, 11-1, put a 42-21 spanking on Nanih Waiya after leading 42-0 at halftime.
Puckett lost six turnovers in the first meeting.
The Jackets have been taking advantage of turnovers in their last three games. In addition to the six in the first game with Puckett, Union had six takeaways against Enterprise-Lincoln, and eight last week at Lake.
Junior wingback Terrell Jackson leads the Wolves in scoring with 19 touchdowns. His 116 total points are second only in 3-1A to Union sophomore running back Anthony Johnson's 148.
Puckett junior running back Zack Parker has 15 touchdowns and junior wide receiver Armundo Robinson has three. Bill Stevens has two touchdowns and has kicked 30 extra points and a 25-yard field goal.
Johnson has a region-best 23 touchdowns to go with five two-point conversions. Union senior quarterback Quincy Patrick has rushed for 13 touchdowns and kicked 19 extra points. Senior wide receiver Derrick Harris has nine touchdowns and senior fullback Ray Harper has two.
For the year, Union is scoring 27.2 points per game and allowing 15.8. Puckett puts up 25.6 points and gives up 10.0.
Taking care of the blocking for Union are offensive linemen Michael Moulds, Will Rouse, Kyle Townsend, Michael Brown, and Kyle Ewing.
Leading tacklers for the Jackets are Zach Robinson with 92, Nikos Harris with 65, Derrick Harris with 58, Darnell Temple with 53, and Harper with 45.
The series is even at 1-1 with Puckett winning 23-20 last year and Union taking an 18-13 win this fall.