Elizabethtown looks to continue its winning streak over District 1 teams Friday when they host Union County in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs.
The Panthers are one of two unbeaten teams left in Class 3A. The other is Ashland Blazer.
Union County [5-4] has won five straight games since losing its first four. All five wins came against district opponents.
The Braves have been solid on defense all season, allowing 19.7 points a game. They give up just over 100 rushing yards a game and just under 100 passing yards.
The Brave defense will be put to the test against a 10-0 Elizabethtown team that is putting up 45 points and 430 yards a game.
Ross Brown took over the head coaching reins this season from his father Mark Brown, who retired after six seasons at Elizabethtown and 38 seasons overall. The elder Brown won 59 games at E-town and 331 games overall. Ross Brown was the defensive coordinator under his father during his six-year stay.
Panther quarterback Clay Games has thrown for 1,927 yards and 26 touchdowns without an interception.
Three different receivers have over 20 receptions, led by Khia Sherrard’s 566 yards and six touchdowns.
Camran McNeil leads the Panthers with 927 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Elizabethtown defense gives up just 13 points a game and has 27 takeaways in ten games.
Meanwhile, Union County will look to rely on its run game that averages 195 yards a contest. Corithian Seales-Portee has the bulk of that average, running for 1,215 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Braves are averaging nearly six yards a rush behind an experienced offensive line.
Cannon Sheffer has thrown for 1,280 yards and 10 touchdowns with Kristopher Hughes and Ben Shreve combining for 51 catches, 802 yards, and six touchdowns.
The Braves will also be playing on artificial turf for the first time this season.
Friday will be the first playoff meeting between the schools. Elizabethtown will be looking to advance to the state semifinals for the fourth time in six years. They last played for a state championship in 2003 and have one state title, that coming in 1969.
E-town has won 11 straight games over District 1 schools.
Derek Johns is in his fifth season as Union County head coach and has the Braves in the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Friday’s game has a start time of 6:30 central time with no tickets available at the gate.
