Kaiden Hatchett caught two passes in the opener for the Phoenix as the offense erupted in the first half.

Football 9/6/2024 10:10:00 AM

Phoenix Football Head to Union For Week 2

LEBANON, Tenn.--The Phoenix picked up a big win in week one, but now have refocused for week two on the road at Union Commonwealth.

Cumberland will travel to Union and look to avenge a season opening loss from a year ago where the Bulldogs prevailed at Nokes-Lasater 27-0. The Phoenix will look to flip the script and return the favor.

Cumberland had all cylinders clicking offensively in the first half scoring four touchdowns and posting 364 yards in the half, but the second half was a different story. Missouri Baptist made some adjustments at halftime and brought the deficit back to as little as three at 28-25. Cumberland made a big defensive play where Joey Samples scooped and scored a 33-yard touchdown to get the win.

The Phoenix picked up their run game where they left off with 225 yards on the ground and three scores. Jeremiah Bryant exploded for a 74-yard touchdown on the second play of the game. Quarterback Luke Holloway was sharp in the first half finishing going 10-of-18 for 186 yards and a touchdown. Tim Freel is the leading receiver after being the recipient of a 73-yard touchdown. Nate Stephens has caught three passes and Isaiah O'neal and Kaiden Hatchett each picked up two passes.

On the defensive end, the Phoenix had three sacks on the Spartans in week one. Dez Wallace picked up Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors with eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Linebackers Boston Follis, Knox Watson, and nickel Cannon Johnson made plays all over the field. Derek Taylor had a huge momentum killing sack. Corners Kion Threalkill and Trevon Dangerfield each had a pass break up on the outside.

Union made a lot of strides last season finishing 4-6 after going 1-19 the previous two seasons. The Bulldogs led by head coach John Lutrell scored 19.0 points per game giving up 23.1. The Bulldogs averaged 303.7 yards of offense going for 183.4 in the air and 120.3 on the ground. Lutrell earned the Appalachian Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors.

The Bulldogs graduated quarterback Walker Russell who threw for 1,536 yards and 15 touchdowns. Union will turn to true freshman Kolton Chapman out of Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina to be the starting signal caller. Chapman led Daniel to a 15-0 record last season and AAA State Championship. Chapman will have the Bulldogs leading receiver from last season back in Tony Norman. Norman caught 50 passes, double the next closest for the team last year, with 643 yards and five touchdowns.

Bryon Gee and Samuel Hawthorne return at defensive end and linebacker for the Bulldogs. The duo were each Second Team All-Conference selections last season. Gee was the third leading tackler on the team last season picking up 46 with 8.5 sacks. Hawthorne posted 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Jamarious McClellan is back at safety for the Bulldogs. McClellan intercepted three passes to lead the team last season.

We should see Union in a 3-4 base defense. The Bulldogs gave up 219.8 yards per game through the air and 111.1 rushing. The Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers last season including three interceptions and one fumble to Cumberland last year.

This will be the 23rd meeting between the two sides dating back to the resurgence of the program in 1990. Cumberland leads the overall series history 14-8. The Bulldogs won last year's game, but prior to that the Phoenix had won six straight.

The weather looks to be nearly perfect at kick off tomorrow. After early a.m. showers the sun will come out by kick off with temperatures in the low 70s in Barbourville.

The game will be aired on WANT FM 98.9 with play-by-play commentator Christian Kaposy and color commentator Bob Lea. Pregame coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. central time.

Union Commonwealth will provide a live stream for free on their youtube page found here. Live stats will also be available for the game here.

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Players Mentioned

#39 Trevon Dangerfield: DB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#46 Boston Follis: LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#15 Kaiden Hatchett: WR; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#3 Luke Holloway: QB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#8 Cannon Johnson: DB; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#40 Joey Samples: DL; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#9 Nate Stephens: WR; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#14 Derek Taylor: DB; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#19 Kion Threalkill: DB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#6 Dez Wallace: LB; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#39 Trevon Dangerfield
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#46 Boston Follis
: 6' 0"; Junior
: LB

#15 Kaiden Hatchett
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#3 Luke Holloway
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#8 Cannon Johnson
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: DB

#40 Joey Samples
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: DL

#9 Nate Stephens
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: WR

#14 Derek Taylor
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DB

#19 Kion Threalkill
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: DB

#6 Dez Wallace
: 6' 2"; Senior
: LB