Second-half explosion propels Sto-Rox past Union
Union (21) vs. Sto-Rox (48)
Written: Oct 06, 2012
By Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
Sto-Rox’s high octane offense refused to flame out against a second Lawrence County team this season.
With a six-point advantage in the third quarter, the Vikings scored four consecutive touchdowns for a 48-21 win against Union last night at Socs Roussos Stadium.
The loss drops the Scotties to 3-2 in the Class A Big Seven Conference and 4-2 overall.
“They took it to us,” said Stacy Robinson, Union’s head coach.
In mid-September, Sto-Rox lost to Neshannock, 35-34, as the Lancers staged a come-from-behind upset. The Scotties weren’t afforded the same opportunity.
“It was 20-14 in the third quarter, and the bottom just dropped out,” Robinson said.
The Vikings (4-1 conference, 5-1 overall), jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half. Brendan Blair scored on runs of 18 and 2 yards, while quarterback Lenny Williams threw a 38-yard score to Ben Shackelford.
Sto-Rox’s offense ended the half with approximately 300 yards.
Benjamin Young started Union’s comeback effort with 3:32 in the second period. Taking Sto-Rox’s kickoff at the Union 18, Young faked a handoff to Drew Robinson and went 82 yards into the Vikings’ end zone.
When the third quarter opened, Union used six plays and covered 70 yards for its second touchdown. Joe Salmen hit Austin Smith on a 14-yard pass for six points.
Salmen, who was limited to two completions overall, hit the two extra points.
Robinson took a chance on a onside kick, which Sto-Rox recovered and converted into a touchdown drive.
“You choose your poison,” the coach said. “You kick it deep, and they have people who can take it to the house.
“You try to squib it, and they get good field position.”
The Vikings’ drive finished with Williams’ 2-yard run. He threw for 206 yards and rushed for 109.
On the following kickoff, Sto-Rox recovered its onside kick attempt. The drive ended with Williams’ 5-yard rush at the start of the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ defense placed a clamp on Union’s offense as it limited the Scotties to 19 plays in the second half.
“We had opportunities early, but they controlled the clock and controlled the ball,” Robinson said.
Blair’s 19-yard touchdown run and Jason Rippole’s 31-yard interception return of a Salmen pass completed Sto-Rox’s scoring.
Robert Clark’s 35-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter completed Union’s scoring.
Robinson led Union rushers with 141 yards.
With three games remaining, Union is working to secure a playoff spot.
“We got to keep moving,” said Robinson, whose team faces Shenango, South Side Beaver and Neshannock down the stretch.
“We’ve got to win out. We can’t slip up again.”
(Email: plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com)
STO-ROX UNION
22 First downs 8
278 Net Rushing 226
29 Passes Attempted 12
15 Passes Completed 2
2 Passes Intercepted 2
206 Yards Passing 19
480 Total Yards 245
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
0-0 Punts-Average 4-29.7
13-115 Penalties-Yards 6-45
STO-ROX 7 13 7 21 — 48
UNION 0 7 7 7 — 21
Scoring plays
STO-ROX — Brendan Blair, 18-yard run (Elisha Bonner kick)
STO-ROX — Blair, 2-yard run (Bonner kick)
STO-ROX — Ben Shackelford, 38-yard pass from Lenny Williams (kick failed)
UNION — Ben Young, 82-yard kickoff return (Joe Salmen kick)
UNION — Austin Smith, 10-yard pass from Salmen (Salmen kick)
STO-ROX — Williams, 2-yard run (Bonner kick)
STO-ROX — Williams, 5-yard run (Bonner kick)
STO-ROX — Blair, 19-yard run (Javelle Kirkland kick)
STO-ROX — Jason Rippole, 31-yard interception return (Javelle Kirkland kick)
UNION — Robert Clark, 35-yard run (Salmen kick)
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