Scotties take to the air,
but loss leaves them deflated
Written: Oct 19, 2009
By JOE SAGER
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
INDUSTRY — The Union High football team took to the air Saturday afternoon.
The plan almost worked.
Western Beaver stuffed the Scotties’ ground game and came up with a deflating 20-13 win at Rich Niedbala Field in a Big Seven Conference battle.
The Golden Beavers (2-3 conference, 2-5 overall) played strong defense against Union — especially in the trenches. They forced the Scotties (1-4, 1-6) to minus-10 yards on the ground on the rainy and cold afternoon.
With the ground game nullified, Union had to move the ball through the air — with mixed results. The Scotties enjoyed plenty of success on their first drive as quarterback Anthony Forletta connected on his first four passes for 79 yards, including a 19-yard TD strike to Matt Moore for an early 6-0 lead. Damian Trott’s PAT kick failed.
However, Western Beaver’s defense adjusted and Union’s offense struggled the rest of the day.
“They were a one-dimensional team all day. We knew we had the advantage up front. I think we’re bigger than them. Eventually, it took its toll. We just wore on them, wore on them and wore on them. That’s what ends up happening,” Western Beaver coach Matt Gray said. “They were hurting us in the beginning with the pass because we couldn’t get any pressure on them. So, they could sit back there and throw. Eventually, we put in some stuff to get some pressure on them and it worked out fine for us.”
With the running game shut down, the Golden Beavers were all over Forletta after the TD. He completed three of his next 14 passes for just 39 yards and an interception.
“I give my quarterback credit. They had us back on our heels. When you can’t run and they know you’re going to throw, they can come with blitz packages and limit your offensive capabilities,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “I am still proud of the kids — they hang in there each week and they come to fight. Somehow, we just don’t pull it out.”
The Scotties’ defense gave a solid effort in the first half. Eventually, though, Western Beaver was able to get its offense going, thanks to a distinct advantage in time of possession. Dustin Creel found the end zone on a 9-yard jaunt with 1:52 left in the third quarter and a 7-6 lead.
Michael Kennedy’s interception and 21-yard return to the Union 21 helped set up the Golden Beavers’ second TD. Quarterback Joe Dawida scrambled into the end zone from 10 yards for a 14-6 edge with 4:31 remaining in the contest.
The Scotties continued to struggle offensively and turned the ball over on downs at their own 26 on the ensuing possession. Five plays later, Creel plowed into the end zone from the 1 for a 20-6 advantage.
Union struck back in a big way, though. On its first play after the kickoff, Forletta lofted a 56-yard bomb to Devonta Thomas in stride and he rambled into the end zone untouched to trim the Scotties deficit to 20-13 with 1:04 to go.
“I told the kids not to hang their heads,” Robinson said. “I said, ‘Let’s get the score, get the onside kick and come down and win the game.’”
Union had the potential to tie the game, but Western Beaver recovered the Scotties’ onside kick to seal the outcome.
*****
UNION W. BEAVER
6 First downs 16
31 Yards Rushing 188
41 Yards Lost 13
-10 Net Rushing 175
19 Passes Attempted 15
8 Passes Completed 7
1 Passes Intercepted 0
174 Yards Passing 78
164 Total Yards 253
2-0 Fumbles-Lost 3-0
6-28.9 Punts-Average 3-33.7
5-38 Penalties-Yards 3-30
UNION 6 0 0 7— 13
W. BEAVER 0 0 7 13— 20
Scoring plays
UNION — Matt Moore, 19-yard pass from Anthony Forletta (kick failed)
WESTERN — Dustin Creel, 9-yard run (Michael Graham kick)
WESTERN — Joe Dawida, 10-yard run (Graham kick)
WESTERN — Creel, 1-yard run (kick blocked)
UNION — Devonta Thomas, 56-yard pass from Forletta (Damian Trott kick)
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