Union trips up James Kenan in Tri-County opener for both teams

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 25, 2010 11:11 PM

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CLINTON -- James Kenan couldn't make a 15-0 halftime lead stand up in a 28-23 loss at Union on Friday night.

It was the Tri-County 1-A opener for both teams.

Raheem Washington's 5-yard touchdown reception from Zach Alphin and a two-point conversion pulled the Spartans to within 15-8 late in the third quarter.

Raheim Phillips' 4-yard score extended the Tigers' lead to 23-8 with fewer than three minutes left in the third quarter.

Alfredo Garcia had a touchdown run late in the third quarter and a 50-yard score midway through the fourth quarter. Union recovered a Kenan fumble near midfield and Garcia's 2-yard score put the Spartans ahead 28-23.

The Tigers went on offense with roughly two minutes left, but Darius Butler's interception sealed the win for Union.

The Spartans recovered two onside kicks, and converted a fourth-and-20 and a fourth-and-six in the second half.

"We made some mistakes and didn't take advantage of a couple of opportunities," said Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr. "We've got to get some confidence. We don't have a lot of confidence right now."

The Tigers (2-3 overall, 0-1 TCC) visit state-ranked Pender on Friday.