With one half of the season already down, the Union Bears were perfect.
The second half of the season didn’t start off as planned as they suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Paintsville Tigers in a 21-14 slugfest at Bullitt Park.
Penalties were aplenty in Friday nights contest as Union was flagged 7 times for 70 yards and Paintsville had 12 flags tossed on them for 135 yards.… Read the rest Union suffers first setback of season in 21-14 loss to Paintsville
With one half of the season already down, the Union Bears were perfect.
The second half of the season didn’t start off as planned as they suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Paintsville Tigers in a 21-14 slugfest at Bullitt Park.
Penalties were aplenty in Friday nights contest as Union was flagged 7 times for 70 yards and Paintsville had 12 flags tossed on them for 135 yards.… Read the rest Categories:
Big games are nothing new for the Union Bears football program. In fact, Coach Travis Turner and his players welcome the challenge.
“We have some guys on our roster that have played in a lot of big games here at Union. We’ve played in a couple big games this year against Richlands, Graham and even Gate City was a big one for us.” Said Senior Mason Polier. “So, I know we’re all working hard every day in practice to get ready for this last half of the season push.”
“One game at a time is the motto we use around here.” Said Union head coach Travis Turner.… 
With two big games looming in the coming weeks, it would have been easy for Union to overlook a one win Gate City team. The Bears, however, were quick to apply pressure to the Blue Devils.
Two first quarter touchdowns and a 21-0 lead at halftime proved to be enough to propel Union to a 28-14 victory on homecoming night at Bullitt Park.
“One game at a time. That’s the approach we take.” Said Bears head coach Travis Turner.… 
As Koby Crist’s field goal attempt sailed through the uprights, a Bears roar was heard throughout Mitchell Stadium that sent the Union faithful and sidelines into a frenzy. They knew they had just done something special.
Union was viewed as heavy underdogs coming in to Friday nights matchup against defending VHSL Class 2 state champion Graham. But just as bears do, they fought and clawed their way to an impressive victory to remain unbeaten and send Graham to 2-2.… 
Saturday November 17, 2018.
The Graham G-Men came in to Bullitt Park and ended any hopes of a state championship for the Union Bears and the overflow crowd that hoped to see their Bears advance to the Regional Final. The Bears offense was stymied in the contest, only producing points on a long touchdown run from graduated tailback Avery Jenkins. Cameron Allen, who you can now catch on Saturdays playing for the Purdue Boilermakers, completed 16 of 25 passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns to push the G-Men to a 28-7 victory.… 
Patty Loveless and a variety of other artists sing about leaving Harlan alive, the Union Bears just wanted to leave Whitesburg with their unblemished record alive.
It was a Friday the 13th for the books in the deep, dark hills of Eastern Kentucky as the onlookers witnessed plenty of heavy rain, an hour and a half lightning delay, a plethora of penalties and even an ejection. After withstanding a furious effort from the Letcher County Central Cougars, Union was able to hang on for the 42-20 victory.… 
Coming off of 26-3 victory over Richlands last Friday night, the Union Bears set their sights on a trip to Whitesburg to sqaure off against the Letcher County Central Cougars.
The Cougars sport a 2-1 overall record with victories over Bourbon County, KY and most recently, Estill County, KY. The lone blemish on their record came at the hands of Shelby Valley, Ky, a 44-22 drubbing which occurred in the first week of the season.… 
On a night where the 1994 Appalachia Bulldogs state championship team was honored at halftime, it was Travis Turners Union Bears who had the crowd reminiscing about the grit and grind rushing attack from the days at Riggs Stadium.
“We done a lot of things very similar to that 94 team,” noted Coach Turner. “We got big, physical backs that run hard and block well for each other and when you have three or four that you can hand the ball to and you’re comfortable handing it to, it helps.”
The biggest play in the first half came after Unions first possession of the ballgame when Richlands’ Colton Medley squeaked through to block Unions punt inside the Bears twenty yard line.… 
Richlands (0-1) vs. Union 1-0
This one has been a thriller since inception.
The average margin of victory in the series is 3.2 points.
The line at Bullitt Park will be long. The seats will be at capacity.
It is just another Richlands and Union matchup.
The heroes in this one are plentiful. Richlands’ Reece Strong, Gray Baker and John Luke Asbury. Union’s Brandon Hubbard, James Mitchell and Mason Polier.… 
The inaugural football coverage season has come to a close. With the end of the season comes postseason awards—CoalfieldSports.com will recognize the achievements of athletes across the region. During the last month, our staff compiled a list of deserving nominees for a first and second team All CoalfieldSports squad, in addition to an honorable mention. After a list of nominees was finalized, the CoalfieldSports.com staff voted on who made each team.… 
