Union comes up short in loss to Western Beaver
Union (13) vs. Western Beaver (16)
Written: Oct 29, 2011
By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News
A spirited effort from the Union High football team came up short last night.
The Scotties hung in against WPIAL Class A playoff-bound Western Beaver but couldn’t come up with the pivotal game-changing play in a 16-13 Big Seven Conference loss.
Union (1-6 conference, 2-7 overall) closed the season on a four-game losing streak. But the Scotties weren’t overmatched against the Golden Beavers (5-2, 5-4), who finished third in the loop.
“We’ve traveled a tough, hard road this year. It’s been tough on us,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “That’s a quality opponent we played tonight. I thought we could come out and play with them. But I think that every week, and you can call me crazy.
“I thought we were capable of winning the game, but we came up short.”
Eric Blinn scored on a one-yard run with 2:08 left, and Dustin Creel added the two-point conversion run to push the Golden Beavers’ buffer to 16-6.
But Union quarterback Joe Salmen connected with Drew Robinson, the coach’s son, on the first play following the kickoff from 57 yards out for a score. Salmen drilled the extra point to cut the gap to 16-13 with 1:49 to play.
The Scotties, though, burned their second timeout before the conversion kick to avoid a penalty. They forced Western Beaver into a three-and-out, using their final timeout as well.
Union took over with 15 seconds left but time ran out on a comeback.
“Our guys had a heck of a game tonight. I’m proud of them,” Stacy Robinson said.
Salmen was 8 of 21 through the air for 196 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Scotties lost a chance for a halftime lead in the opening half’s waning moments. Union had first-and-goal from the Golden Beavers’ 1 but turned it over on downs four plays later, trailing 8-6.
“You try not to look at things like that,” Robinson said. “I’m a firm believer there’s four or five plays that determine the outcome of a football game.
“I told the kids after the game that’s my fault. As a coach, I have to find some way to get the team in the end zone. I’ll take it on my shoulders, and it’s something that will beat me up for a long time.”
(E-mail: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com).
WESTERN BEAVER UNION
16 First downs 8
226 Yards Rushing 59
13 Yards Lost 39
213 Net Rushing 20
17 Passes Attempted 22
9 Passes Completed 9
1 Passes Intercepted 0
114 Yards Passing 198
327 Total Yards 220
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 0-0
2-26.5 Punts-Average 5-31.6
11-65 Penalties-Yards 1-17
WESTERN BEAVER 0 8 0 8 — 16
UNION 0 6 0 7 — 13
Scoring plays
WESTERN BEAVER — Dustin Creel, 23-yard pass from Eric Blinn (Creel pass from Blinn).
UNION — Clifford Clark, 63-yard pass from Joe Salmen (run failed).
WESTERN BEAVER — Blinn, 1-yard run (Creel run).
UNION — Drew Robinson, 57-yard pass from Salmen (Salmen kick).
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