Scotties pull off stunner against Rochester
Union (33) vs. Rochester (0)
Written: Sep 14, 2013
By Kayleen Cubbal
New Castle News
ROCHESTER — The Union High football team won’t soon forget this one.
The Scotties went on the road and stunned perennial WPIAL Class A powerhouse Rochester, 33-0, in WPIAL Class Big Seven Conference action last night.
Union is 1-1 in the conference, 2-1 overall, while Rochester is 1-1, 1-2.
The Rams of Shenango High graduate Gene Matsook returned just three starters from last year’s team that went 7-1 in the conference, 9-2 overall, losing to North Catholic 22-15 in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
Yet the Scotties dominated from start to finish, looking like they, not Rochester, were one of the top teams in the state.
“I told the kids going down there that with Rochester’s winning tradition and their being one of the top programs in Pennsylvania, if you can pull off a victory there, you will remember it for the rest of your life,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “It’s been a long struggle, I’ve played them 14 times in my 17 years here and I’m 1-13. This one was really sweet.”
So was Robinson surprised, not just at the victory, but at the margin of it?
“Not surprised really, but real happy about what happened here tonight,” he said, adding with a grin, “OK, well, maybe a little bit surprised.”
The Scotties wasted no time making a statement against The Rams. Union went 65 yards on eight plays on its first possession. Malik Williams’ 11-yard pass from Anthony Rush was set up by an 8-yard gain by Rush on third down.
Clinging to a 7-0 halftime lead, the Scotties received the opening kickoff and went 87 yards on 12 plays despite two penalties, one a holding call that negated a 78-yard touchdown run by Young. Young eventually took the ball in from 13 yards out. Union tacked on third-quarter TD on a 45-yard interception return by Scott Price.
Two fourth-quarter scores iced the victory, one a 7-yard run by Young and the second a 74-yard interception return by Williams.
Young led Union with 90 yards on 10 carries, while Jordan Best added 87 yards on 12 attempts.
“The offensive line was clicking on all cylinders,” Robinson said. “I believe we have the skill people to move the football and they showed it tonight.
“Of course, six turnovers by Rochester is very unlikely. But we’ll take a win any way we can get it. This definitely was a good one tonight.”
The Scotties travel to Western Beaver at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21.
(Email: kcubbal@ncnewsonline.com)
UNION ROCHESTER
16 First downs 7
210 Net Rushing 92
11 Passes Attempted 12
4 Passes Completed 4
0 Passes Intercepted 3
71 Yards Passing 23
281 Total Yards 115
1-0 Fumbles-Lost 3-3
4-26.5 Punts-Average 4-32.5
8-75 Penalties-Yards 7-45
UNION 7 0 14 12 — 33
ROCHESTER 0 0 0 0 — 0
Scoring plays
UNION — Malik Williams, 11-yard pass from Anthony Rush (Benjamin Young kick).
UNION — Young, 13-yard run (kick failed).
UNION — Scott Price, 45-yard interception return (Young pass from Rush).
UNION — Young, 7-yard run (kick blocked).
UNION — Williams, 74-yard interception return (kick failed).
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