LINDEN, NJ- The Union High School Farmers varsity football took to the road, looking to end their season on a winning note and 13 days following their NJSIAA Regional Crossover win over Hackensack HS, which snapped a six-game losing streak. They knew their opportunity was there.
With an overall, balanced effort on offense, the Farmers defeated their longtime Thanksgiving Day rival, the Linden High School Tigers by a final score of 22-19 Wednesday night at Tiger Stadium at Cooper Field in Linden.
It was the Farmers’ second straight win, following a stretch that featured three games where they came up short, losing three of the games by one point each.
“Our guys did their best to stay positive throughout the season. We knew we had some tough breaks and were a good team,” Union head coach Lou Grasso, Jr. said. “Our coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team on task and enthusiastic.”
Earlier on for Union, positive signs for the future were directed towards the performances of some of their underclassmen players. On a drive of just over four minutes produced the Farmers’ first score of the game.
As the second quarter started, Union junior Michel Lucien took the ball and ran through the defense for a 25-yard rushing touchdown. The Farmers took the lead following the extra point, leading 7-6 with 10:21 left in the second quarter.
Lucien finished the night with 71 rushing yards on 11 carries, to go along with his 25-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
