The Union Grove High School Wolverines, the Bainbridge High School Bearcats’ first-round State Class AAAAA playoff opponent Friday at 7:30 p.m., in McDonough, Ga., feature a hard running senior running back and a strong-armed sophomore passer.

During a Friday 35-14 home victory over Mcintosh in a Region 4-AAAAA play in game that clinched second place, senior running back Derrick Craine, the leading rusher in Henry County, rushed for 286 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bearcats, who are third in Region 1-AAAAA, enter Friday night’s game with a 7-3 record. The Wolverines come in with a record of 9-1.

The Wolverines offense is led by first-year sophomore starting quarterback Jonathan Slade. For the season, Slade has completed 59 of 106 passes for 862 yards and nine touchdowns. He stands 6-feet-5 and is a traditional pocket passer. Four of his passes have been intercepted.

The Wolverines’ defense is led by senior tackle Tyler Vaughn, the team’s leading tackler.

Bearcats head coach Ed Pilcher said the Wolverines will often line up in a wide-open spread formation, and are equally affective running or throwing the football.

“Our defense will have to be ready for multiple formations,” Pilcher said. “In addition to the spread, Union Grove will also line up in the I-formation and run some slants or throw from it.

“Defensively Union Grove will usually line up in a five man front and they have some quickness.”

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