Tough breaks, talented Rochester spell doom for Union
Union (0) vs. Rochester (37)
Written: Sep 19, 2009
 By TODD KRISE
t_krise@ncnewsonline.com
ROCHESTER — Someone get Stacy Robinson a time machine.
The Union High football coach certainly needed one during his team’s 37-0 Big Seven Conference loss to Rochester last night.
The Scotties (1-2) had two critical plays called against them, which would have turned the momentum in their favor heading into halftime.
“They were both backbreakers for us,” Robinson said. “Maybe by 2050, they’ll have instant replay in high school.”
The first questionable call came with 3:12 left in the second quarter when Rochester fumbled on a punt return. Union claimed the recovery and the sideline official signaled that the Scotties gained possession, but an official from the other side of the field overruled the call and gave the ball to Rochester.
The Rams (3-0) capitalized by scoring two more touchdowns in taking a 30-0 halftime lead.
“The whistle was blown dead and our offense was on the field, but yet it was still their ball,” Robinson explained. “You’re not going to get much of an answer out of the referees, you know. Is that going to help us win the game? No, but it might help us turn the momentum.”
That actually was a possibility on the last play of the first half when Union quarterback Anthony Forletta completed a 44-yard toss to Devonta Thomas. The Scotties’ wide receiver appeared to stretch across the goal line only to be ruled a yard out.
“I thought his arm was over the pylon,” Forletta said. “The ref made the call and he was back 20 yards.”
Controversy aside, Union was defeated by a deeper and quicker Rochester team.
The Rams, who came into the game ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class A and No. 2 in the state by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, used its overwhelming speed to pound the Scotties on the ground and through the air.
The Rams got three first-half touchdowns from running back Trey Johnson, who also threw for another score on a flea-flicker to quarterback Jason Adamson.
The mercy rule came into effect late in the third quarter when Rochester notched its sixth touchdown with a methodical 11-play, 73-yard drive — all on running calls.
The Rams outrushed the Scotties 226-155.
“We lost our heads,” Scotties running back Matt Moore said. “The defensive line was getting pushed back. The secondary was blowing coverages. We bit on the run.”
Was that all?
“We got suckered in,” Forletta said, referring to Rochester’s two touchdowns on well-executed play-action fakes.
Rams’ coach and 1981 Shenango High graduate Gene Matsook said he saw certain things in the Scotties’ defense in order to take advantage.
“Our kids did a good job of executing,” Matsook said. “We’ve got some speed. There’s no doubt about it. We’ve got to use it different ways.”
Added Robinson: “They move and that’s what we tried to tell our guys in practice. Unfortunately, it’s hard to simulate the speed with our low numbers and so many young guys. When we get into a situation like that with their guys moving with the way they do, we just never caught up to it.”
A positive for Union was the play of its offensive line, which was the main reason for the Scotties’ success on the ground. Forletta also was given plenty of time to throw, despite his three interceptions.
“I still think they gave an effort,” Robinson said. “It was a bit frustrating. I didn’t think they expected to get beat like that. We got to straighten some things out. It’s a lesson to be learned.”
Union is still in search of its first Big Seven Conference win since last year’s realignment. Forletta said the Scotties’ practice this week was a mix of good and bad.
“And you can’t have that when you’re playing the No. 1 team in the WPIAL,” he said.
UNION ROCHESTER
6 First downs 18
155 Yards Rushing 226
5 Yards Lost 5
150 Net Rushing 221
17 Passes Attempted 11
7 Passes Completed 9
3 Passes Intercepted 0
93 Yards Passing 176
243 Total Yards 397
3-2 Fumbles-Lost 3-2
3-30 Punts-Average 1-31
6-60 Penalties-Yards 8-55
UNION 0 0 0 0 — 0
ROCHESTER 6 24 7 0 — 37
Scoring plays
ROCHESTER — Trey Johnson, 10-yard run (pass failed).
ROCHESTER — Johnson, 2-yard run (pass failed).
ROCHESTER — Johnson, 8-yard run (kick failed).
ROCHESTER — Terry Gettings, 46-yard pass from Jason Adamson (pass failed).
ROCHESTER — Adamson, 10-yard pass from Johnson (kick failed).
ROCHESTER — De’Andre Moon, 16-yard run (A.J. DeLuca kick).
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