On Friday night the Union Spartans hosted the North Duplin Rebels in a much-anticipated matchup, but the result was not what the Spartans had hoped. North Duplin rolled to a 49-20 victory.

The Rebels’ ground game was dominant. Senior Carnell Phillips ran for 292 yards and four touchdowns, averaging more than 14 yards per carry. North Duplin finished the night with 483 yards on the ground.

For Union, the bright spot came from senior back Tobias Cromartie, who picked up 120 rushing yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth straight game with at least 110 yards.

“We’ve got what it takes physically… now it’s mental,” Union’s head coach Mark Oates said in an interview Monday.

Oates reflected on the performance, saying he’s still searching for consistency from his group.

“Well, it sounds li

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