FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ- The Union High School Farmers varsity football team continued to hang on in a game that featured a scoreless first half and fought, despite trailing at a few points of the second half.
Following a Union punt with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter, Franklin got the ball at the Union 41-yard line and with the Warriors facing third-down-and-14 from the Farmers 45-yard line, senior Tayo Badru came with a huge 33-yard reception, securing the ball and gaining the yardage to keep the Warriors’ drive alive.
They took the lead on a two-yard rushing touchdown from Dalen Merricks and following the extra point, Union trailed 14-7 with 1:43 left, but on the next play, Union immediately responded when they needed to step up to remain in the game.
Senior Andy Martin, who tied the game at 7-7 in the third quarter, got the ball and broke right near an opening right up the sidelines and stormed towards the end zone to shock everyone in attendance with a 76-yard kickoff return for the touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-13.
As Union lined up for the extra point, sophomore Andrew Sanborn kicked the ball, but it was no good. The Farmers attempted an onside kick, but the Warriors recovered it and had an opportunity to ice the game. However, a bad snap led to a lost fumble and suddenly, Union put themselves in a major opportunity to set up to win the game.
With 1:26 left, Union began at their own 49-yard line. They faced fourth-down-and-8, but converted to keep the drive alive. However, the Farmers faced another fourth-down play and couldn’t convert, turning the ball over and the Warriors ran out the clock to secure the win by the final score of 14-13 Friday night in Franklin Township in Somerset County.
Full Coverage of Union HS Varsity Football at Franklin HS Here
