Bluefield aerial attack too much for football

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Despite picking off Bluefield quarterback Nathan Herstich four times, the Rams' top-ranked passing offense still had more than enough juice to put up 50 points on the Union defense.

Herstich countered his four picks with five touchdown passes, three of which went to JaQuan Ebron and the Rams earned a 54-26 win over Union at Williamson Stadium Saturday.

CIRCUS CATCHES

Ebron was a one-man highlight reel, hauling in acrobatic touchdown grabs of 20, 17 and 16 yards, while also making a leaping circus catch over two Union defenders for a 43-yard gain early in the third quarter. He finished with 133 yards on seven grabs.

The Rams also got 106 rushing yards from Cortar Gilmore and moved at a fast enough pace to negate interceptions by Union's Terran Cox, Keke McMurry, Isaiah Osborne and Adam Chaney.

The Bulldog passing game showed more vertical presence than it has all season, with Jake Medders throwing for a season-high 184 yards and three touchdowns, equaling his complete season total coming into the game.

Medders found Isaiah Johnson for 34 yards in the second quarter, then just over three minutes later, hit Tony Norman, who made a juggling, one-handed grab in traffic for a 37-yard score. Medders then threw a beautiful 53-yard dime to Chris Thomas for a touchdown on Union's first play of the second half.

Thomas had 84 yards while Johnson finished with 73.

EARLY DISASTER

As has been the case multiple times this season, Union found itself in a big hole, thanks to an early miscue on special teams.

The Bulldogs were already down 28-0 before scoring their first touchdown, and it all started with a blocked punt after an opening drive three-and-out, as Bluefield's Elija Padgett broke through the Union line with ease.

It wasn't the only special teams disaster either. Union missed an extra point attempt after its first touchdown, then had the PAT following its second blocked and returned for two points. A fourth-quarter field goal attempt was also blocked.

And despite all the big plays through the air, Union quarterbacks also combined for three interceptions.

NEXT UP FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union, which falls to 0-8 overall and 0-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, has two games remaining, starting with a 1:30 p.m. road matchup with Kentucky Christian next Saturday.