Last Friday night turned out to be a big night at Freedom Field in West Union as the Dragon football program hosted the Green Bobcats on Homecoming Night. Besides the exciting action on the gridiron, the evening included an abundance of royalty, including Andrew Weeks and Savannah McFarland being crowned as the 2015 King and Queen.
A crowd estimated at over 600 filled the stands to capacity and they were treated to a full evening of entertainment, from the crowning of all the royalty to a Homecoming football game that went down to the wire and saw the visiting Bobcats pull out a 26-24 victory.
“We want to thank everyone who came out to support our local football team,” said West Union varsity head coach Scott McFarland. “The kids have worked hard and are improving each week and it was a great atmosphere and exciting game from start to finish. Congratulations to the Homecoming Court who were elected by their peers which is a big honor.”
“We are so excited to bring another football Homecoming to Adams County as it is a tradition that towns across America get to enjoy. We are so happy to see our kids and community to get to participate in this fall tradition.”
As far as the action on the field, the Dragons took an early lead on just their third play from scrimmage on a touchdown run by senior Devin Whiting. Freshman Jordan Hendricks ran in the two-point try to put the home team on top 8-0. The Bobcats answered with a 10-play drive that culminated in a scoring pass to the tight end, but they missed their two-point conversion attempt and the Dragons still led 8-6.
The Dragons punted on their next possession and Green took the lead, scoring on a 60-yard run to take a 12-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The first Bobcat drive of the second quarter ended with an interception by West Union’s Chris Silhavy, but the Dragons could not capitalize. Whiting intercepted a pass later in the quarter and the first half ended with the Dragons at the Green four-yard line and a turnover on downs, leaving the Bobcats still up by four at the break.
Early in the third period, the Bobcats turned a West Union turnover into a touchdown run to lead 20-8 and after a West Union punt, scored on a 54-yard run to up their advantage to 26-8. The Dragons caught a break and got a safety on a botched snap by Green and trailed 26-10 after three quarters.
In the final period, the Dragons began to mount a comeback, scoring first on a screen pass from Silhavy to Whiting that broke open for a 90-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed but West Union had drawn within 26-16.
“I told my assistant that the missed two-point try here might come back to haunt us and it sure did,” said McFarland.
The Dragon defense forced a punt and got the ball back with 3:15 to play and in five plays were in the end zone on another pass from Silhavy to Whiting. The two-point try was successful on pass to Dylan Grooms and the hosts trailed 26-24. An onside kick was recovered by Green and the Bobcat ran out the clock for the hard-fought win.
“Our kids played so hard tonight and really wanted to get a Homecoming win,” said Coach McFarland. “Too many turnovers and key penalties were too much for our young team to overcome. We had several opportunities to take control of the game and just couldn’t finish drives or capitalize on good field position, plus we gave up too many big plays on defense.”
“Our program is improving each week and we have a bright future.”
