Sullivan Starts Fast, But Union Sprints Ahead

Sullivan jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter of Friday's Week 3 contest against Union, but were unable to finish.

Union scored 27 straight points, gave up a touchdown before the half, then scored the game's final 20 points in a 47-19 win.

Union shredded the Eagles on third and fourth downs. In the first half, the Wildcats converted four third downs, one that ended with a touchdown. Union also converted a fourth down into a touchdown.

In the second half, the Wildcats scored two touchdowns on third downs and one on fourth down.

Sullivan turned the ball over on four straight drives late in the first quarter through the second and Union took advantage. During that span, the Wildcats ran 22 plays to Sullivan's 3.

Injuries mounted for the Eagles throughout the game. Quarterback Tanner Jackson left with an injury, along with Cole Richardson and Trey Eplin.

The Eagles (1-2) clobbered Union through the first quarter. Blaine Blankenship ran the ball 40 yards for a touchdown on Sullivan's first offensive play, giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead 68 seconds into the game.

After a thrilling win in Week 2 against Festus, the Eagles came out firing.

Wildcats quarterback Derek Hulsey was erratic and pulled halfway through the quarter for Jacob Fleming, who proceeded to move Union's offense at will.

In lieu of a running game, Union mixed in screen passes and short routes intended to get their receivers into space.

In the first quarter, Sullivan made sure there was nowhere to run. They closed out receivers in the open field and forced Union to punt on their first three drives.

On the third drive, Isaac Peregoy came through with a blocked punt, his second special teams block in as many weeks.

Sullivan took over on the Union 17 and scored from three yards out on a run from Blankenship with 5:37 left in the quarter. The kick was no good and Sullivan led 12-0.

Union's initial switch to Fleming produced similar results. The Wildcats went three-and-out and Sullivan started the ensuing drive at their own 37. They quickly moved into Union territory before Tanner Jackson threw an interception to Braden Watson. That set up a drive that would spark the Wildcats. Fleming's 5-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-5 got Union on the board five seconds into the second quarter.

Union then recovered an onside kick and converted a fourth-and-1 on a run by Fleming. On the next play, Fleming hit Brandon Robinson over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Union took a 13-12 lead with 9:15 left in the half.

Sullivan turned the ball over on their next two drives. Both turnovers led to Union touchdowns. Fleming tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass on third-and-goal with 7:59 left, then a 40-yard touchdown pass to Eli Klenke with 5:39 to go. Fleming's two-point run gave Union a 27-12 lead.

The Eagles bounced back on their next drive. Balor Bartolotta's 1-yard touchdown run with 2:39 left got Sullivan back within a score, 27-19.

Blankenship took the kickoff to start the second half to the end zone, but it was called back on a penalty. Sullivan started at midfield and proceeded inside the Union 10. Sullivan went for a field goal attempt, but Blankenship's kick sailed left.

Union wasted no time moving the ball down the field. They scored on eight plays, ending with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Fleming to Burke for a 33-19 lead. Fleming hit Robinson for a 15-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left in the period for a 41-19 lead, then Hulsey returned to the game and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass.