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Jets ground Wildcats

MORRISTOWN — Union Local has made it to the midway point unscathed.

It did so impressively, too.

The Jets shot out to a 34-7 lead at halftime and didn’t look back en route to a 47-14 homcoming victory against Edison before a large turnout at Jets Stadium Friday night.

“We played well and it’s pretty exciting for everyone to be 5-0, but we know we have a lot of areas in which we can continue to improve,” Union Local head coach Bruce Stiles said. “With Homecoming, I was worried about all of the distractions that come with that, but I think our kids handled it pretty well.”

Indeed.

On both sides of the ball, the Jets were all business. And Edison simply didn’t have an answer.

“Union Local is an athletic football team,” Edison head coach Derrick Stickles said. “We didn’t come to play football tonight. I have to do a better job of getting my kids ready to play.”

With big-play threats Brian McWhorter, Shane Smolenak and Josh Bolyard all finding the end zone in the first half, the Jets set the tone early.

Union Local amassed 348 yards and 19 first downs in the opening half as Stiles spread the wealth equally, which put Edison’s defense on its heels. All told, the Jets finished 505 yards, including 328 on the ground, and 26 first downs.

Those numbers even surprised Stiles when he heard them.

“Shane made a lot of good decisions at quarterback and our running backs run hard,” Stiles said. “We have some guys who are sneaky fast. We don’t look like we’re really that fast, but once the kids get out in the open, they can go. Our receivers do a heck of a job (blocking) down field, too.”

The offensive showing actually didn’t start well for the Jets. Smolenak was picked off on the first UL offensive play from scrimmage. However, the Jets’ defense, which limited Edison to 88 yards in the first half and 179 for the game, forced a three-and-out.

“Hats off to (McWhorter), he’s a heck of a back who runs hard, never stops his feet and breaks a lot of tackles,” Stickles said. “(Smolenak) does a nice job of reading the back-side end and changing up the pace a little bit.”

The Jets evidently received clearance for takeoff because it proceeded to score on their final five possessions  of the first half and first of the second half, which pushed the game into the OHSAA’s mercy rule.

“We’ll take that (offensive production),” Stiles smiled. “We’re trying to show people that we can run and throw the ball because I think we can do both, successfully.”

Smolenak got things going with his legs when he dashed to the end zone from 20 yards out with 5:47 to go in the first. Isaiah Meyer booted the PAT, making it 7-0.

Another three-and-out put the Jets in business once again. Smolenak showed off his arm on the next drive, which took just over three minutes off the clock. He found speedy senior Josh Bolyard from 32 yards out.

With the defense hanging tough against the Wildcats’ running game, the Jets struck up the band once again. The Smolenak to Bolyard combination was good from 32 yards away once again.

McWhorter, who finished with 119 rushing yards, plunged in from a yard out to cap a 9-play drive, which included a big 26-yard pass from Smolenak along the way.

Edison answered right back and made it 27-7 on a 55-yard burst by junior Seth Cade, but the Wildcats left too much time on the clock.

Just 11 seconds before the half, Union Local went on an 11-play drive that ate 3:30 off the clock. Smolenak covered the final 5 yards.

The Jets showed no signs of a letdown in the second half. The first unit marched 65 yards before Smolenak raced to the end zone from 19 yards out. All told, Smolenak accounted for 295 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed 12 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Through the air, he completed 10-of-16 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Edison’s Joe Nave returned the game to regular timing rules when he scored early in the fourth quarter from 19 yards out. Rachel Cline’s PAT kick was perfect.

Nathan Bomboris closed the scoring. The Jets sophomore ripped off a 40-yard touchdown with four minutes to go.

Union Local goes on the road to Weirton to tangle with Weir, while Edison returns home next week to meet Oak Glen.

Union Local 47, Edison 14

Edison                           0       7    0     7 — 14

Union Local     14   20     7     6 — 47

UL: Smolenak 20 run (Meyer kick).

UL: Bolyard 32 pass from Smolenak (Hansen kick).

UL: Bolyard 32 pass from Smolenak (Meyer kick).

UL: McWhorter 1 run (kick failed).

E: Cade 55 run (Rogers kick).

UL: Smolenak 5 run (Meyer kick).

UL: Smolenak 19 run. (Hansen kick).

E: Nave 14 run (Cline kick).

UL: Bomboris 40 run (kick failed).

Rushing: Edison, 28-131-2td (Nave 7-23-Td; Kosegi, 1-3; Cade, 9-73-Td; Pappas, 4-10; Waggoner, 4-12; McAfoose, 3-10). Union Local, 40-328-5td (McWhorter, 14-119-1td; Smolenak, 12-118-3td; Howell, 6-31; Bolyard, 2-9; Palko, 1-(-2); C. Kildow, 1-(-6); Bomboris, 3-64-Td; Team, 1-(-5)).

Passing: Edison, 5-9-48 (All by Nave). Union Local, 10-17-177-2td-1x (Smolenak, 10-16-177-2td-1x, C. Kildow, 0-1).

Receiving: Edison, 5-48 (Waggoner, 1-7; Cade, 4-41). Union Local, 10-177-2td (Bolyard, 4-84-2td; Menges, 2-17; T. Kildow, 1-15; McWhorter, 2-55; Koscoe, 1-6).

First Downs: Edison, 8; Union Local 26.

Fumbles: Edison, 4-1; Union Local, 1-0.

Penalties: Edison, 3-25; Union Local, 6-40.

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