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Bryson FB loses in bi-district

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 5:00 am

TIOGA – To get better, you have to play better than you in most cases.

Gilmer Union Hill, which was ranked anywhere on the top 10 in Class A, brought its unbeaten ledger here, ready to do battle with Bryson, a veteran ball club with 11 seniors on its roster.

Union Hill got out to a quick start and knocked the Cowboys out of the postseason with a 68-22 bi-district win Nov. 12 at Bulldog Stadium here.

The Bulldogs (10-0) scored every offensive time they touched the ball and added a kickoff return and a pair of interceptions for scores to end the game at halftime by mercy rule. Union Hill needed just nine plays to outscore Bryson for good, using Zak Hatcher touchdown runs of 12,30, 11, and 41 yards to take control.

Bryson got on the board after the third Hatcher score, marching 41 yards in six plays. Halfback Marcos Espinoza found Drake Huffman with a 15-yard strike with Huffman hitting Zander Tinney with a 34-yard completion to set up first-and-goal at the Bulldog 12. On fourth and goal Landon Stephens found Espinoza with the second completion of the drive for the score. a turnover on downs setKeeston Whitaker’s kick was good to cut the lead to 20-8.

Ragen Register came through with a fumble recovery on the ensuing drive but a turnover on downs kept Bryson from delving any deeper into the deficit.

Over the next quarter, Union Hill would extend its lead from 20-8 to 68-8 with still two minutes and change left in the half. Wanting to go out strong, Bryson used an Espinoza kickoff return on the ensuing kick and went 75 yards with it. Whitaker was again true with 2:24 left in the half.

The strong finish continued as Tinney recovered the onside kick from his teammate. Tinney had a reception with three Espinoza runs set up a first-and-goal from the three.

One play in, Tinney had a touchdown grab as time expired. The point after was off the mark and the game called.