The moment was to big for Union. Union was close, but Appo is well coached and special teams were SOME of the difference, but the huge portion was the QB for Appo's ability to take the game over when necessary, and as I told Graham fans (no offense) this was the difference in the two QB's against Union. One QB, early in the game with 2 wide open receivers on different plays overthrows the pass and what did I tell you Graham fans would happen early on if the QB does not throw the ball accurately when he has guys open early in the game? I wrote it would get out of hand. As for Appo, I wrote the same thing and two big facets.....Union can not turn the ball over early or give up a huge special teams score, and Union has to be ready for the early long ball pass as Appo will struggle to drive consistently between the 20's. What did the Appo QB do? Ball from point A to point B on the money early in the game. The moment wasn't to big. The stage or on the road or the crowd didn't matter, and the ball was placed on the money, and it's why Appo has 2 state titles with a chance for 3. Additionally, Union turned over early. The QB for Appo is a WINNER, period. He's the kind of kid that if it's close, he's going to win. If it's ping pong and he is down 20-17, he scores 5 straight points to win 22-20. You simply DO NOT beat him in a close game and to beat Appo, you better be 10 points better or you are in trouble.
As for Union, a fantastic team and it's sad Union lost its QB early in the season because I understand he could rifle the ball and Union could throw it as well as run it. This injury might have been the difference in a state title appearance for Union. Union fans, never blame the officials. You played on your home field, not even a neutral field, not at Appo. Additionally, you shouldn't automatically assume you stop Appo EVEN IF a holding call is made on the special teams return for a score. You understand that if holding is called, that gives Appo first down and no TD of course, but that still kills 3 minutes off the clock if you hold Appo in 3-4 plays, and if they get just 1 or 2 first downs on that drive, it kills 5-6 minutes, and that limits your possessions. It wasn't the officiating. It was Appo and specifically the QB who took the game over and equally important, the moment was not to big for Appo.
As for Appo and fans, I've been reading how you describe this team as your worst or "least good" team of the 3 year run. I disagree with that some. I think this team is better than the 2015 team slightly. Remember, the 2015 team is often remembered for the great year and blow out in the title game, but they were all but done against Richlands in the state-semi's. My point is, other than Heritage who is much larger of course and not AA, Appo has really never been in a game in the last 3 years against an AA team that has been a true threat (down to the final seconds of the game) to beat them other than Richlands of 2015. I know Dan River was close that year also, but Appo had the game in control and even though Union got the late score and no doubt, this game was a battle as Appo tangled with a beast, they pretty much controlled the game other than the short 20-14 stretch that Union had until the field-goal put it away. What I'm saying is Appo fans, I disagree with you. At this point in the season, I think this team is better than 2015, even though you have a loss, the 2015 team would have lost to this year's Heritage team as well, and it might have lost (maybe) to this years Union team. It would have been close like this past game. Only my take. Union Bears, I truly believe the injury to your QB early in the year was the difference in you guys playing for a state title. The well-balanced offense with the wicked defense and ability to kill an opponent, if they put 8 in the box on you would have been tough even for Appo to deal with, but you have to play the hand you are dealt, and the QB injury was a huge factor. Good luck to both teams next year and I hope Union comes out of that very tough region out West in 2018.
