Titans’ loss to Eastside Catholic was not as bad as it appeared
Union Titans (2-1)
Week 1: Union 35, Hermiston (Ore.) 21
Week 2: Union 26, Mountain View 21
Week 3: Eastside Catholic 35, Union 0
Week 4: Tumwater vs. Union, 4:30 p.m., Friday at McKenzie Stadium
That score looks a lot worse than it was for the Titans, who proved they could move the ball against the top-ranked Class 3A school in the state.
A blowout in score only:
Usually, a blowout score does mean it was a blowout, that the losing team looked, well, looked lost.
Union lost this game but certainly did not look lost.
It was a 7-0 game until the final two minutes of the first half.
The Titans moved the ball consistently all night.
Turnovers, though, ruined them. The Titans turned it over six times.
In the first series, Aiden Nellor took a huge hit but still caught the ball for a 19-yard gain and a first down. Darien Chase made a diving catch for another first down. Later, the drive ended on a turnover.
It was like that for much of the night.
In the second quarter, the Titans started a drive inside their own 10-yard line. They marched down the field, getting into the red zone before losing the ball on downs.
If Eastside Catholic is one of the three or four best teams in the state (in all classifications) then Union knows it is not too far away from the top.
Yeah, 35-0 looks like a long way. The stats, and the video, say it was not as bad as that score.
Coach Speak:
What did Rory Rosenbach learn about his team in Week 3? “We have the potential to play with anybody. The reality is they scored twice in the first half. One was me, going for it on fourth-and-1. … They had short fields.”
Union, Rosenbach noted, had more yards through three quarters.
“The biggest thing is they finished. We didn’t. I told them after the game, ‘You guys can be pretty good. We just have to learn to finish, be consistent.’”
MVP on offense: “Hard to have an MVP on offense when you get shut out,’’ Rosenbach said. “Proud of how we battled.”
MVP on defense: “Secondary was really good. Hard to single out one guy.” Carter Sutton had two interceptions. Darien Chase had one.
Thoughts on Week 4 vs. Tumwater: “Everybody is pretty excited,’’ Rosenbach said. “It’s one we let get away from us last year. They are super disciplined with a great tradition. It’s an opportunity to see the steps we have taken, last year to this year, against one of the best programs in the state. And a chance to bounce back (from Week 3).”
