Steven Edsall caught the first score of the night for Union County and followed with a kickoff return for touchdown to lead the Panthers over Towns County 40-7 Friday in Hiawassee.

Garrett Smith added two scores while Jesse Wright and T Bentley each had one.

"It doesn't show on the scoreboard but we played really good defense tonight," said Union coach Brian Allison.

Union County (1-0) will play host to Lumpkin County at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Towns County (0-1) plays host to Cherokee, N.C., at 7:30 p.m. Friday.