Union rolls past Rebels

By David Miller
Published in Sports on October 2, 2005 2:17 AM

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CALYPSO -- With conference play just one week away, visiting Union ended its non-league slate with a 42-21 victory over North Duplin at H.E. Grubbs Field on Friday evening.

Union amassed 450 yards rushing on 34 plays in its single-wing formation, a throwback scheme that earned popularity in the 1930s and 40s.

"Teams only have one week to prepare for something they've either seen before or won't again all season," said Spartan coach Dr. John Ward, who is executive director of the National Single-Wing Coaches Association.

North Duplin (1-4) played Union (4-1) even in the opening half.

After the Spartans jumped ahead 7-0, Rebels quarterback Doug Lloyd got his team rolling. He and halfback Montreal Garner shared rushing duties on a 67-yard, 11-play drive.

Lloyd capped the drive with a game-tying, 5-yard run at the 2-minute, 17-second mark. Lloyd added a 56-yard touchdown gallop later in the first quarter to give the Rebels a brief 13-7 lead. He concluded the night with 281 yards total offense -- 130 rushing and 151 passing.

Mental lapses thwarted the Rebels' chances the remainder of the evening. An illegal procedure penalty erased Garner's 22-yard touchdown run. The Rebels lost possession on a fumble inside the Spartans' red zone.

Yet another heartbreaker occurred at the 3:14 mark of the second quarter. A spirited defense, led by Luis Villalion, Ryan Killette, and Chris Warren, stopped Union cold at their own 47.

Ward caught the Rebels napping when he called a fake punt. Lamont Lamb took the direct snap and could have run home unscathed.

"That took a little wind out of our sails," said North Duplin coach John Bert Avent.

Garner tied the game just before half on a 1-yard plunge. The score was set up by a Lloyd's 45-yard pass Sherman Hyatt. Hyatt snagged the two-point conversion pass to forge a 21-21 tie at intermission.

Union broke the tie with big plays in the second half.

Alfred Williams, who rushed for 167 yards on 21 carries, scored his second touchdown of the night on a 25-yard scamper. Lloyd uncorked a 41-yard punt which pinned Union at its own 10-yard line. But Josh Childress gave the visitors a two-touchdown advantage with a 90-yard scoring jaunt.

Meanwhile, Union defensive adjustments totally throttled the North Duplin offense. The Rebels were forced to punt on each of their series in the third quarter. The fourth quarter got no better.

"We did a lot of things right tonight, on both sides of the ball, especially in the first half," said Avent. "Those letdowns, however, really cost us. If we can just execute a little better, we'll be all right. We have to get it right all the time."

Each team kicks off league play next Friday.

Avent faces older brother Ken and his unbeaten North Johnston squad in Calypso for their Class 1-A Carolina Conference matchup. Meanwhile, Union attempts to defeat Midway for the first time since 1984 in their Super Six battle in Clinton.