Laurel runs all over Union
Union (19) vs. Laurel (33)
Written: Oct 04, 2008
  By DAN IRWIN
d_irwin@ncnewsonline.com
Homecoming is a time for renewing acquaintances.
Perhaps the happiest reunion during Laurel High's alumni celebration last night was between the Spartans and their ground game.
The get-together was spearheaded by senior Bobby Jones, who became Laurel's first 100-yard rusher of the year and scored three touchdowns to lift the Spartans to a 33-19 WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference win over Union.
Jones carried 24 times for 136 yards as Laurel (2-2, 2-4) compiled 220 yards rushing. Prior to last night, the Spartans were averaging just 71 yards per outing on the ground, and Jones' 79-yard effort in a Week Two loss to North Catholic was the only time a Laurel back had topped the 50-yard mark.
"It was rough the first half of the season," said Jones, who scored on a 24-yard run, as well as on a pair of 3-yarders. "It was a little bit frustrating. But we started to execute at practice, and everything went well this week.
"Our line just blocked everything tonight. We really came together and played as a team."
Union (0-4, 1-5) stayed with the Spartans during the first half, trailing by only 10-7 at intermission.
Quarterback Mike Pelto's 50-yard touchdown run offset the first of Jones' two 3-yard scores, and only Jonathan Johnson's 35-yard field goal stood between the Scotties and a tie game.
Laurel, though, broke the game open by scoring on its first three possessions of the second half. Jones added his final two touchdowns, and quarterback Tyler Forbes contributed a 4-yard TD run.
In addition, the Spartans were awarded a safety when Union running back Jason Burkes was tackled in his own end zone.
“We still have kids banged up, but in the second half, they came out and played much better than they did in the first half,” Laurel coach Jerry Holzhauser said. “I think our kids got more physical in the second half.
“Tyler did a real nice job, he was real sick and he overcame that. Bobby ran hard tonight, and the line really came around in the second half.”
Pelto carried the Scotties on his back, rushing for 100 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, while completing 12 of 23 passes for 167 yards and 2 scores.
“Union played tough,” Holzhauser noted. “They were tough up front, and their quarterback is a heck of a ball player. They did a nice job with their passing attack.
“We’ll have to take a hard look at some of the things we did, but give them credit, they had a nice passing game.”
Despite a 306-273 advantage in total yards, Union saw its best opportunities killed by 12 penalties and three turnovers. The latter problem included one interception in the end zone, another at the Laurel 8 and a fumble at the Spartans’ 29.
“That’s been every game this year,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “We play in spurts. When we play good, we play good. But when it’s bad, it’s bad. The penalties, the self-destruction, that’s the frustrating part.
“You’ve got to be able to produce when the pressure’s on and the bullets are flying. You’ve got to be able to hold your ground and do what you’ve been coached to do all week. And we’re just not getting that done.”
On the bright side, Pelto’s touchdown run and his scoring passes of 32 and 7 yards to Burkes did snap the Scotties’ 14-quarter scoreless streak. But that was of small consolation to Robinson.
“I guess it is good to break that drought, and that is a positive,” he said. “But we’re looking to win football games, we’re not looking to keep it close.
“The only game we got stinking trounced this year was Rochester. Everybody else, we’ve had our opportunties to come out on the victorious side. We’ve got to get it together. We’re not going to quit. We got three more games to get it done.”
UNION LAUREL
13 First downs 19
159 Yards Rushing 266
20 Yards Lost 46
139 Net Rushing 220
23 Passes Attempted 12
12 Passes Completed 6
2 Passes Intercepted 0
167 Yards Passing 53
306 Total Yards 273
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 2-1
2-32.5 Punts-Average 3-33.7
12-81 Penalties-Yards 6-40
UNION 0 7 6 6 — 19
LAUREL 7 3 16 7 — 33
Scoring plays
LAUREL — Bobby Jones. 3-yard run (Jonathan Johnson kick).
UNION — Mike Pelto, 50-yard run (Jordan Izzo kick).
LAUREL — Johnson. 35-yard field goal.
LAUREL — Jones. 24-yard run (Johnson kick).
LAUREL — Safety, Union’s Jason Burkes tackled in end zone.
LAUREL — Jones, 3-yard run (Johnson kick).
UNION — Burkes, 32-yard pass from Pelto (run failed).
LAUREL — Tyler Forbes, 4-yard run (Johnson kick).
UNION — Burkes. 7-yard pass from Pelto (run failed).
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