Union Grove slips by Overton in OT

GLADEWATER — It took the second quarter for Overton to reduce a 14-point deficit behind Union Grove and a hard drive in the Third Quarter to balance the scales.

But there was no balancing a 20-14 overtime defeat for the Mustangs, who fell to 0- 2, but could very easily be 2-0.

The Mustang defense kept Union Grove empty-handed in the second half, but turnovers cost the Mustangs a winning drive in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime. Another fumble cut short an Overton drive and set up a Union Grove overtime touchdown by Richard Pittman to put the 'Stangs away. Pittman was impressive, rushing for two touchdowns, including the game-winner, and 219 yards on 29 carries.

The victory moved Union Grove to 2-0, and left Overton on the short stick once again.

The Green Machine sputtered in the first quarter. Its first offensive was snapped by a fumble on second down and the second ownership of the ball never made it past the 35-yard-line. Meanwhile, the Lions scored in their first and second possessions by runs from Corey Adkinson and Pittman, respectively. Beau Davis successfully kicked the extra points following both.

A tighter Mustang defense kept the Lions starving in the second quarter and the second half. Union Grove quarterback Dalton Melton, on third down in the beginning of the second quarter, handed the ball to Dalton Penn. Peyton Crawford took Penn down for a loss. Melton gambled on fourth down, but overthrew a pass to Josh Carnes. Overton owned the ball at its 5.

On second down, Scott Osburn moved the ball to his 13. But a fourth down soon stared at Overton, and the Mustangs, too, took a chance. Telvin Darden called the signal, and ran the ball himself up to the 20. Darden increased his mileage with another run, 44 yards through the center past the clutches of Lion Tanner Chambliss until Brad Carter brought him down at the UG 37.

In the Lion's lair for the first time, Casey Rinehart made a left turn down to the 23. Darden went airborne and completed a pass to Draze Kennedy just shy of the 13 and first down. Darden played keeper again and sped from the middle past Carnes and Brannon Cary for the touchdown. Robert Gonzales booted the extra point and OHS trailed by just one score, 14-7.

Mustang motivation opened the third quarter from Union Grove's opening kick by Davis to the guests. Kennedy took the ball to his 33. Darden took to the air and John Michael Florey's hands wrapped around the prize 30 yards away. The Lions grounded Florey at their 41. Darden carried the ball to the 35. Rinehart in the next play, settled at the 32. Overton lacked inches for a first down. Darden played the scrambler again and got those inches and 30 more yards for the score. Gonzales split the poles again and the teams were 14-all.

Overton's second drive in the fourth ended with an interception by Cary. Overton got the ball back from a Pittman fumble at the bottom of the fourth, but the clock ran out with the scoreboard reading 14-14.

Overton got the ball first in OT, but on the second snap Jacoba Gardner fumbled and Union Grove had its turn at the 25. Williamson stopped carrier Pittman twice in is two carries, but Pittman's third attempt made it into the end zone.

"Turnovers did us in, and we've got to stop beating ourselves," said Overton first-year coach Ty Robinson. "The first and second quarter, they were kicking our butt. But these kids fought back and stepped up. We deserved to win this game and it hurts that we didn't."

Union Grove coach Marty Moore called the game "A hard-fought match. I'm proud of [Union Grove's] kids for overcoming mistakes, battling back and taking the game in overtime."

Moore also praised Robinson, saying he "should be proud his team fought with such determination. Overton is better than 0-2."

The Mustangs travel to Big Sandy Friday.