Football: Union County faces No. 8 Fellowship Christian for Region 8-2A title

Union County's quest for a region championship is still intact. 

The Panthers (7-2, 4-0 Region 8-2A) have one team left to conquer to win the program's first region title since 1973: eighth-ranked Fellowship Christian (. 

Union County will travel to Roswell for a Thursday night showdown against the loaded Paladins. 

But if it weren't for a dominant performance last week, the opportunity to play for the title wouldn't be there. The Panthers shocked No. 10 Athens Academy, leading at one point, 35-7, to win the game 35-21. 

They used a fierce rushing attack, an efficient passing game and a solid defensive effort to beat the Spartans and stay on the region title path. Braylen Rader rushed 27 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Caiden Tanner was 19-of-21 for 243 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 76 yards. 

"We played our most complete game this seasoning in all phases," Union County coach Michael Perry said. "We held them to their lowest rushing yards they've had all season, and they've got some really good running backs. We have three private schools in our region, and we want to show that we can play with and beat them. So that was a big motivation for our kids. It was actually the first time Union County had ever beaten a ranked private school. So, we had a lot of ammunition and motivation to get this one done."

As for Fellowship Christian, the Paladins will be the best team Union County has played this year, according to Perry. 

"They are very talented," he said. "They have several guys with Division I offers. We've got a tall task in front of us, but we can get the job done. We just can't shoot ourselves in the foot." 

It'll be a battle between two top-five Class 2A offenses. Fellowship is 4th in 2A in scoring (382, 42.4 ppg), while Union County is 5th (363, 40.3 ppg).

Tanner is eighth in passing yards in Class 2A. He's completed 164-of-236 passes for 2,260 yards and 24 touchdowns. He's also rushed for another 488 yards and six scores for the Panthers.

In the backfield, Rader rushed over 1,000 yards for the season with the 178-yard performance against Athens Academy last week, leading the team with 163 carries for 1,020 yards and 18 TDs. Receving-wise, Tanner has connected with four receivers for 300 yards or more this season. Jensen Goble leads the Panthers' receiving game with 54 catches for 741 yards and seven TDs. Taylor Grasty has 37 receptions for 500 yards, and Ethan McBride has 431 yards on 24 targets. 

Fellowship Christian is led by running back CJ Givers (1,114 yards). Jonathan Granby is also efficient at quarterback, and former Atlanta Falcons' receiver Michael Haynes's son, Evan Haynes, is the team's top target. 

Defensively, the Paladins give up 22 points per game and are led by junior defensive end Josh Petty, who has 17 Power 5 offers. Linebackers Charles Sharp and LB James Burrell also are tough to handle.

"They do a great job of forcing turnovers," Perry said. "So, we need to make sure that we take care of the football. We can't put it on the ground or throw it to them. We also have to sustain drives. I know they will score on us at times, but we have to sustain drives to keep them off the field." 

The Panthers did just that against Athens Academy, controlling the clock and finishing with touchdowns. 

Perry says those are the biggest keys to the game and said the defense is going to have to step up again this week. 

"You know, I think they're ready for the challenge," Perry said about his defense. "They did a great job last week versus Athens Academy, so I expect similar results this week." 

The Panthers also received a jolt of confidence after beating Athens Academy. Perry said they were extremely happy but acted like it was just another win.

"It wasn't like we won the Super Bowl or anything," he said. "They know that when we play well, this is what we're capable of doing. "They were extremely happy after the game, but they just want to get to work with their head down, and that's what we're going to do."