SPRINGPORT, MI (WTVB) – The Union City Chargers saw their six-game winning streak, and perhaps their hopes of winning the Big 8 Conference title, come to an end Friday night as they were beaten at Springport 28-14.
It was a frustrating night for the Chargers ,who had to endure the Ray Charles classic “Hit the Road Jack” being played over the PA system as the time ran out.
Union City never had the lead in losing to the Spartans for the second straight season in a showdown for first place in the conference. Up until last season, the Chargers had an all-time record of 41-11 against Springport.
Springport quarterback Rip Overweg accounted for all four Spartan touchdowns as he ran for two scores and passed for two others.
His 31-yard touchdown pass to Jake Kregel put Sparty ahead 6-0 in the first quarter. A big momentum swing took place in the second period. After Union City failed to convert on fourth down inside the Springport 15, the Spartans drove 87 yards for a touchdown. The drive was capped off on a 10 yard TD scamper by Overweg. The two point conversion gave Springport a 14-0 halftime lead.
The Chargers finally got on the board in the third quarter on a three yard touchdown run by Kenny Case. The two point conversion cut Springport’s lead to 14-8.
Overweg and Union City’s Trey McDonald then exchanged touchdowns and Union City only trailed 20-14 as the third quarter came to an end.
But Overweg sealed the deal with a 19-yard TD pass to Tucker Wiginton in the final period.
Unofficially, McDonald had 112 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown for Union City while Case finished with 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Total yards were nearly even with Springport finishing with a 243-241 edge.
Both teams are 6-1 overall. Springport now has sole possession of first place in the Big 8 with a 6-0 conference record while Union City is now 6-1 in the conference. The Spartans will host Quincy next Friday, while the Chargers entertain Centreville at Alumni Field.
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