Titans win 4A GSHL debut

Union’s first game in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League looked a lot like most of their other games against Southwest Washington opponents in recent years.

No contest.

Zak Browning scored four touchdowns, two running backs cracked the 100-yard barrier, and the Union defense did not give up any points, leading the Titans (5-1, 1-0 GSHL) to a 56-14 victory at McKenzie Stadium.

It was Union’s 20th consecutive victory against teams from either the 4A or 3A GSHL — league and non-league games — with the last loss coming in 2007.

This one was special for the Titans because it was the first league game as a Class 4A program. The Titans, winners of the past two 3A GSHL championships, are looking for a third title in a row.

They got off to a fast start Friday.

Union’s defense, which had back-to-back shutouts the past two weeks, held Heritage to 25 yards of offense in the first half.

Browning rushed for three touchdowns and more than 100 yards in the first half alone. Brandon Brody-Heim later joined him in the century club.

Browning finished with 140 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Brody-Heim nearly matched him with 136 yards and three scores on 25 carries.

In all, the Titans had 483 yards from scrimmage, including 346 on the ground.

“It definitely demoralizes the other team,” Union lineman Matt Smith said. “You could feel we were in better shape. You feel really good about yourself when you can move the ball at will.”

“We work hard so they can get in the end zone,” added lineman Max Proudfit.

Browning and Brody-Heim were appreciative.

Brody-Heim has battled the injury bug this season and was temporarily out of this game after a hit in the first quarter. Then he bounced back with authority.

“This is big for me,” he said. “It was easy, too, when you have guys blocking, making holes.”

“Having two backs like us, it’s a dual threat,” Browning said. “It makes it hard for people to game-plan. It opens up big runs for both of us.”

Union led 28-0 at the half, then Browning got another touchdown — this time from the defensive side of the ball. He picked off a pass early in the third quarter and returned it 21 yards, matching his jersey number, for a 35-0 lead.

Heritage had some highlights, too.

Michael Quintana returned the kickoff following Browning’s interception return 82 yards to make it 35-7.

Later in the quarter, Rajheem Carrie returned an interception 81 yards for a second Heritage TD.

Of course, that also means the Union defense did not give up a score for the third week in a row. Heritage ended up with 95 yards of offense, much of it coming in the fourth quarter when the game was long gone.

The first league win is not the long-term goal, though, for the Titans.

“We’re going to have to do it the next three games, too,” Smith said. “This is a great way to start the league season, but we have to play like this every game.”

Union coach Cale Piland agreed.

“Our mindset is it’s a four-week schedule,” he said. “This was step one. I was pleased with our performance tonight.”

Union was stopped on its first drive of the game, then scored touchdowns on its next four possessions. Browning scored on runs of 5, 36, and 1 yard, while Brody-Heim cashed in from a yard out.

Brody-Heim got an 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, then a 1-yard TD plunge to open the fourth.

Ryan Stanford got the bulk of the carries on Union’s final score, and he found his way into the score sheet with a 1-yard touchdown run.

A week ago, the Titans scored 10 points in a win over Mountain View. The Titans challenged themselves to get better.

Smith said it looks like that challenge worked.

“We met as a team and figured out what was wrong,” he said.

To the tune of 56 points and another victory in Southwest Washington.

UNION 56, HERITAGE 14

Union 7 21 14 14—56

Heritage 0 0 14 0—14

First quarter

U — Zak Browning 5 run (Hudson Poissant kick)

Second quarter

U — Brandon Brody-Heim 1 run (Poissant kick)

U — Browning 36 run (Poissant kick)

U — Browning 1 run (Poissant kick)

Third quarter

U — Browning 21 interception return (Poissant kick)

Her — Michael Quintana 82 kickoff return (Garrett Worle kick)

U — Brody-Heim 8 run (Poissant kick)

Her — Rajheem Carrie 81 interception return

Fourth quarter

U — Brody-Heim 1 run (Poissant kick)

U — Ryan Stanford 1 run (Poissant kick)

Leaders

Rushing — Union: Browning 17-140, Brody-Heim 25-136, Stanford 5-34; Heritage: Michael Rivers 5-23.

Passing — Union: Kaben Humphrey-Butler 6-7-0-117, Tanner Nelson 2-5-1-20; Heritage: Riley O’Dell 10-21-2-51.

Receiving — Union: Browning 3-55, T.J. Boatright 2-42, Tre Christensen 1-28, Brody-Heim 1-11, Gabe Rego 1-1; Heritage: Nate Mitchell 5-38, Steven Nichols 1-6, Rivers 1-3, Ben Lyons 2-2, Trey Robinson 1-2.