Union’s Spartans didn’t secure the gridiron win in Thursday night’s game against East Columbus, but they still feel like victors today given one of their players, injured during the third quarter, did not suffer any broken bones and was back in class Friday.
Running back Anthony Sabido was injured during the kickoff return at the start of the third quarter. Union wound up losing the game 24-12.
An Airlink helicopter landed on the East Columbus field and airlifted the young player to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.
The freshman player did not suffer any broken bones or major medical injuries and was present at school Friday, an email from Principal Dan Chabot noted.
“We are very thankful he is OK,” Spartan head coach Mark Oates said Friday morning during a telephone interview.
It was the approximate 45-minute delay in the third quarter — as helicopter rescue arrived and prepared to transport Sabido — that served to deflate some of the energy the Spartans had shown early in the game, the coach said.
“Emotions were running high after the incident,” Oates attested, “and it seemed like we lost momentum after the delay. We just got flat.”
Dealing with adversity, and that kind of stress, Oates noted, is something he is trying to teach his young players. “It’s hard for them when something like that happens. His brother is on the team, too, so emotions were high.”
Playing on Thursday because of possible stormy conditions Friday night, Union was up 12-2 when the injury happened, and afterward, the momentum swung to East Columbus, who scored the last 22 points of the game to claim the conference victory.
“We were originally down 2-0 because of a safety, but then we went up 12-2. Then East Columbus came back” with a vengeance, Oates said
“That was our first conference game; we let it slip away.”
Despite the loss, Oates said he thought on the defense, particularly, there were some improvements.
“We are starting to tackle better,” he pointed out.
According to MaxPreps, Union rushed for 224 yards. Combined with 35 passing yards, the Spartans gained a total 259.3 yards in the game.
Leading the way for Union was Tobias Cromartie with a total 172 yards; Derik Aycock had 35, and quarterback Manny Adams had 20. Elijah Wright was credited with one sack.
Thursday’s loss moves Union to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. All their losses have been away games.
“We have talked about that,” Oates said of the home wins. “You know, this group of guys, the team seems more comfortable at home. There’s a different energy there. As a coach you can see it. If I can figure out what is causing that, maybe we can fix it and start having that same type energy on the road.”
The Spartans return to their home field Oct. 3, facing off against in-county rival Hobbton. Game time is 7 p.m.
“That will be a tough one against Hobbton,” Oates attested. “They have a good running game, and they’ve got some big, athletic players. It should be a good game.”