Union City gives No.1 North Muskegon all it can handle, Chargers fall in D7 football playoffs

NORTH MUSKEGON – On a sunny Saturday afternoon the Union City Chargers gave the No. 1 team in Division 7, the North Muskegon Norseman, all they could handle before dropping a heartbreaking 27-14 loss in the first round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 7 District tournament.

“There were just a few plays we could not connect on that would have put us over the top,” said Union City head coach Doug Counterman. “The plays were there and the guys made plays left and right, we just came up short. We played great against the number one team in the state, I am so proud of the effort.”

Chargers choose to grind it out, Norseman go deep

The two teams entered the game with two vastly different philosophies on the offensive side of the ball, and it showed from the very start.

North Muskegon has ridden the strong right arm of junior quarterback James Young to its 9-0 record and No. 1 ranking, and for good reason, as the Norseman average over 220 yards per game through the air. That air attack is exactly where North Muskegon went on play number one and it worked to perfection as Young fired deep on the first play of the game, connecting with Alec Newville on a beautiful corner route for a 62-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, giving the Norseman the quick 7-0 lead with 11:40 left in the first quarter.

Union City did not panic however and proceeded to employ its vastly different game plan. The Chargers simply ground out the ball, methodically moving down the field, slowing the game to a near crawl. The Charger offensive line was physical at the line of attack and kept the chains moving, before it was senior Riley Laird finally breaking through the line, speeding away for the huge 42-yard touchdown run, closing the score to within 7-6 after the extra point was partially blocked.

More: Preview: Union City travels to North Muskegon for D7 football playoffs

That would be the gameplan for both teams throughout the contest, as North Muskegon went to the air for its next score, a 21-yard touchdown pass from Young to Lance Christensen, pushing its lead to 13-6 with 3:25 left in the first quarter.

Union City defense bangs with top team in the state, little miscues derail offense

The first quarter was rough for the Union City defense with the two big pass plays, however the Charger defense made the necessary changes and started to make big stops on the high-powered Norseman offense.

This defensive effort even led to just the third interception thrown on the year by Young, as it was Laird picking off a pass in the end zone to stop a potential Norseman scoring drive.

After Union City turned the ball over on downs late in the half, North Muskegon went back to the deep ball. Charger defensive back Rick Austin had near perfect coverage on the North Muskegon wideout TJ Byard, however Byard made a spectacular catch down the sideline, moving the ball inside the red zone with 1:30 left in the half. Three plays later it was Tristian Thompson running in the 3-yard touchdown, extending the Norseman lead to 19-6 with 32 seconds left before the half.

Union City made one more effort to find the endzone in the first half and came close, as a last second heave to the endzone was hauled in by Laird out of bounds by mere feet, leaving the score at 19-6 at the half.

Teams play to near second half stalemate, questionable call helps Norseman ice game

The two teams played to a gritty stalemate throughout the second half, as Union City continued to grind the ball down the field, just coming up short on two key fourth downs

The Norseman essentially iced the game midway through the fourth quarter, and it did not come without a little controversy. On a fourth and long on the Union City side of the 50, the Norseman ran a play near the sticks. The Charger defense appeared to make a big stop, however upon measurement, despite the ball appearing a chain link or two short, the officials gave North Muskegon the first down with 5:30 left in the game. Less than a minute later it was Thomas finding the end zone for the second time, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 27-6 with 5:12 left.

Union City was not about to give up just yet, answering the Norseman touchdown with a long drive of its own, using the hard running of Landyn Crance to move down the field before the senior found his way into the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown run, closing the score to 27-14 with 3:36 left in the game.

Union City had one last chance after a quick 3-and-out by the Charger defense, however the Norseman picked off a late pass attempt to end the drive. North Muskegon finished off the game in victory formation and two snaps later it was North Muskegon advancing on to the Division 7 District Finals with a 27-14 win over Union City.

Stat Leaders

Union City was led on the ground by Laird who had 23 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown while MacDonald added 21 carries for 91 yards. Crance added five carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Eli Payne led the Charger passing game, finishing 9 of 17 for 112 yards and one interception. Rick Austin pulled in five catches for 61 yards while Aidan Decker added three catches for 40 yards.

The Union City defense was led by senior Owen Jackson, Ryan Zweng, Caden Hughes, and Hunter Gillies. Exact stats were not made available at press time but will be printed when they become available.

They Said It

“This started with these seniors four years ago when they were freshman. We were helping the junior varsity team at the time, and we really grew to appreciate this group of guys,” said Counterman. “We developed a deep bond with these guys and as a coaching staff we so appreciate everything this senior class does on and off the field. Practices were fun and intense, and you never had to worry about them being locked in. I am really going to miss this group of guys.”

Up Next

With the win North Muskegon improves to 10-0 and now moves on to face Lawton in the Division 7 District final next week.

Union City meanwhile sees its 2023 season come to an end with a record of 6-4. The Chargers will now have to say goodbye to an impressive core of seniors in Jeremy Zehr, Nathaniel Maurer, Landyn Crance, Luke Fletcher, Brendan Snyder, Riley Laird, Ryan Zweng, Owen Jackson, Willie Dunn, Hunter Sours, and Hunter Gillies.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Union City falls to No. 1 North Muskegon in D7 District football