In a cross-county rivalry, the Hobbton Wildcats pulled out a nail-biter 28-19 over the Union Spartans. The game was close until late in the fourth quarter.

Union coach Doug Burley summed his team’s effort in one sentence: “Too many mistakes.”

Wildcat coach Jeff Byrd said, “This was probably our best game all around. Defensively, we gave up that one long touchdown. They have a heck of a team. They have some unreal athletes. They came out in the “I” and we hadn’t practiced it all week. I thought we adjusted very well. We have two starters out for the rest of the season. We had some people step up and do a good job. Our backs never came off the field. This was an all-around team effort … probably the best game we’ve played.”

The Wildcats had first chance at the ball. They bogged down and on fourth and 7, punter Brad Evans decided to run the ball and picked up a first down keeping the drive alive. Xavier Thompson scored on a 43-yard run with 10:27 left in the first. Evans kicked the point after giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

Union turned the ball around but Ira Moore put a stop to the drive with a pick of Zach Alphin at the 5:38 mark in the first. The Wildcats however did not convert and punted the ball away. Union ran three and kicked again.

The Wildcats started over at their 45 yard line early in the second period. Henry Barnes finished the 55-yard drive with an 11-yard run 46 seconds into the second quarter. Evans again kicked the point after for a 14-0 Hobbton lead.

Union made it to the end zone on their next possession only to have it brought back on one of the many penalties in the game. After the flag, the Union drive stalled and they gave up the ball on downs at the Hobbton 12 yard line

The Wildcats were unable to get down field and wound up punting with 2:43 left in the half.

Union took over at the 47-yard line. Ron Gray got outside around the right side and scampered 58 yards for Union’s first score. Antonio Garcia kicked the point after for a 14-7 game with 1:46 left in the half.

Union was not finished in the half. They recovered the on-side kick and marched 39-yards for the score. Alphin hit Larry George on a 38-yard pass with 1:13 left in the half. Garcia’s point after kick was wide leaving the score at 14-13, Hobbton.

The Wildcats got the ball back and promptly fumbled it away with Union recovering.The score at the half was 14-13, Hobbton.

After the break, Union had first try. They ran three and were forced to punt. The Wildcats started on the 40 yard line with 9:28 left in the third. Burning nearly 2 minutes off the clock, the Wildcats marched 60-yards for the score on a 28-yard run by Henry Barnes. Evans’ point after kick made it 21-13.

Early in the fourth quarter, Gray scored on a 14-yard run to raise the score to 21-19. The Spartans elected to go for two and came up short on a run.

Both teams battled defensively for most of the rest of the final period. The Wildcats forced Union into a punting situation deep in their territory. With 5:39 left, bad snap over George’s head put the ball nearly in the end zone. George picked it up and ran it out to the 20 yard line still short of the first down.

The Wildcats took over. Evans hit Barnes on a 20-yard pass for a score only to have it brought back on a penalty. The Wildcats finally were able to bull it in a one yard run by Thomson with 1:29 left in the game. Evans’ point after kick made it 28-19.

The Wildcat defense shut down the Spartans when Barnes picked Alphin at the 20 yard line with 45 seconds left in the game Union was threatening again.

Statistically, Union beat the Wildcats. They had 290 yards total offense against 216 for the Wildcats. Barnes had 14 carries for 126 yards and two touchdown for the Wildcats. Thompson added 69 yards on 13 attempts.

Union’s Gray had 179 yards on 21 attempts. Alphin was 6 of 10 for 116 yards in the air.

The Wildcats host Trask next week for their homecoming. Union is slated to host Midway.