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Union senior shines in season-opening win

Union senior shines in season-opening win

Written: Sep 08, 2015
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By ANDREW KOOB

New Castle News

It's an issue that constantly stares the Union High football team in the face.

Union, one of the smallest schools enrollment-wise in the WPIAL, constantly fights the numbers game. This year, the Scotties have just 27 players, a number that actually is a bit higher than in some previous years.

But for its team members, the lack of numbers means players get more time on the field, on both sides of the ball — and with it, more chances to shine.

That's just fine with Jordan Best.

Best, a running back and three-year letterman heading into this season, made his presence felt in the Scotties' 20-6 victory over host Rochester.

The senior rushed for 111 yards on 23 carries and a pair of scores. Along with one reception, Best touched the ball 24 times on offense, six more than the next Union player in quarterback Joe Gunn.

The large workload is expected from both Best and Union coach Stacy Robinson. In fact, Friday night's performance was a light day for the tailback.

“I expect to take a lot of the load," Best said. "We have 27 kids and we don’t have a backup running back, so you have to take control. I expect them to keep coming. I want the carries, I feel good.”

Added Robinson, “He’s probably going to get more. That was a light load for him. We expect him to lead us on both sides of the football. There can be more than one leader, that’s for sure, but since he’s been here the longest and has the most stripes, he’s the guy we’re looking to in moments of crisis to lead us and show us which way to go.”

As the most tenured player on the Scotties roster, Best, who holds offers from the FCS's Valparaiso and the NAIA's Avila College, has to lead by both mouth and by example. His performance against the Rams was a good start, yet Robinson hopes continued success catches the eyes of the younger Union players.

“That’s the main thing," Robinson said. "You can talk a good game, but leaders lead by example. He showed it on the field Friday night and, hopefully, he’ll be the influence for some younger players and show them how to play the game.

“That’s his job this year. He’s in 12th grade, he’s the only fourth-year player that I have. The pressure that he’s under to lead us, it comes with the territory and I think he understands that.”

The issue becomes, as Best gets more and more touches as the season progresses, keeping him fresh. As a two-way player at running back and defensive back, Robinson wants to make sure Best is up to the task.

Yet the coach knows exactly who he will turn to with a game on the line.

“That’s a delicate line you want to use," Robinson said. "We have some other people that can relieve some of that load but, when the chips are down, we need something big that he’ll step up to the front anyway.”

Best and the rest of the Scotties enjoyed their season-opening victory, but they know that the focus must be on the next week. Union fell into a similar trap last year, defeating Rochester in the season-opener then losing out the rest of the way.

“It felt good but, at the same time, it brought us back to last year," Best said. "We won a game and nothing after that, so we have to stay on the path and keep working like we did all offseason, all summer. You can’t let that win get to your head.”

(Email: AKoob@ncnewsonline.com)

JORDAN BEST

Position: Running back/Defensive back

Grade: 12

Parents: Mary Million and Dante Best

Known for: Rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-6 win over Rochester.

Favorite player: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers. “He’s quick and shifty, can make people miss.”

Favorite team: Miami Dolphins. “I liked Ricky Williams when I was growing up and they always stuck with me.”

Future plans: “I want to play college football and major in sports management.”
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