Union , Shenango to lock horns
Written: Oct 01, 2015
 By Andrew Koob
New Castle News
The Shenango High football team has been proving it belongs in the conversation for one of the best WPIAL Class A teams all season.
A win over reigning Big Seven champion Neshannock and just an eight-point loss to last year’s WPIAL runner-up in Avonworth has made the rest of the WPIAL pay closer attention to the Wildcats.
A victory against Shenango, however, may catch even more eyes for Union as it travels to Frank Bongivengo Field for a 7 p.m. contest Friday.
The Wildcats (3-0 Big Seven, 3-1 overall) are enjoying their hottest start since the 2009 season. They can surpass that start with a win Friday and avoid the eventual letdown of the ‘09 campaign, one that ended with Shenango finishing the season 1-3 and missing the WPIAL playoffs.
“We’ve been talking all week about the conference schedule that’s before us,” Shenango coach Mike Commesso said. “Each game you win, you put yourself a step closer. If we are able to get a win, that would put us in a nice position.”
The Scotties, in their own right, have flown under the radar but have been successful as well in the first four weeks of the season.
Union (2-1, 2-2) opened up the year 2-1, its best start since 2012, before falling to South Side Beaver last week in its first Big Seven setback and putting itself in a precarious position in the conference playoff race.
“There’s a lot of big games moving forward and we have to try to stay in the race,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “It’s not a game that can knock you out, but it doesn’t help you out if you lose.”
The Scotties currently sit fourth in the conference and would earn a playoff spot if the standings hold. Vincentian Academy (1-1) and Riverside (1-2) trail the Scotties, with Union holding a win over Vincentian.
The Wildcats remain as the only undefeated Big Seven team.
Shenango’s defensive unit will be tested by a Union offense that is averaging 26.7 points in three conference games. The offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Joe Gunn, running back Jordan Best and wide receiver Garrison Bell.
“I think they do some nice things on offense with Gunn,” Commesso said. “They have some good weapons with Best and some of the other guys at wide receiver.”
The Wildcats defense currently is holding Big Seven foes to just six points in three contests.
“Defensively, they’re big and physical,” Robinson said. “I think they built for this year and they’re hitting on all cylinders. We have to play the game, we can’t be in awe of them, hit them with authority because if we don’t, it could be a long night for us.”
Added Commesso, “One of the things we’re doing right now is playing fast and aggressive and that’s worked so far. Hopefully we can keep that attitude and mentality. It’s a challenge, but hopefully we can keep it up.”
(Email: AKoob@ncnewsonline.com)
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