Browning, Bauer rush Union past Mountain View

The only thing that stopped Caleb Browning on Friday night was the end zone at McKenzie Stadium.

Browning rushed for 215 yards and four touchdowns, leading Union to a 52-21 victory over Mountain View in both team’s Class 4A Greater St. Helens League opener. It also was the first time these two schools played a league football game.

When Browning needed a breather, Jack Bauer found plenty of daylight as well. He rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. (Bauer, a jack-of-all-trades, also kicked a field goal and was a perfect 7 of 7 on extra points.)

Union quarterback Nolan Henry was a steady 10 of 14 for 158 yards. The Union passing game set up several of the rushing touchdowns.

Union improved to 3-0 while Mountain View fell to 0-3.

Union was a Class 3A team when it started playing football in 2007. When the Titans moved to the 4A ranks, Mountain View dropped from 4A to Class 3A. This school year, Mountain View moved back to the 4A ranks.

It is the first time all four Evergreen School District football programs are in the same league. They all played at McKenzie Stadium on Friday. Evergreen defeated Heritage 47-31 in the early game. So, this must be a scoring district, huh? The teams combined for 151 points.

The numbers favored the Titans all night, but this was a close enough game for a half.

Browning opened the scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run. But Mountain View responded with a 91-yard drive, capped by Garrett Jones’ 7-yard TD run to tie the game.

Alex Berfanger responded for Union with a 37-yard TD run.

The Titans scored the first 10 points of the second quarter — Browning on a 25-yard run, and Bauer with a 34-yard field goal.

Still, the Thunder would not go away quietly.

Preston Jones broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run to make it 24-14 at the half. Preston Jones led the Thunder with 162 yards on 14 carries.

Browning and Bauer would combine for three third-quarter touchdowns.

Mountain View did convert on its second 91-yard drive of the night in the quarter. Garrett Jones scored from 10 yards out, capping a 14-play drive.

Bauer’s 4-yard touchdown run finished off the scoreboard with a 4-yard touchdown run.

UNION 52, MOUNTAIN VIEW 21

Mtn. View 7 7 7 0—21

Union 14 10 21 7—52

First quarter

U — Caleb Browning 29 run (Jack Bauer kick)

MV — Garrett Jones 7 run (Will Warne kick)

U — Alex Berfanger 37 run (Bauer kick)

Second quarter

U — Browning 25 run (Bauer kick)

U — Bauer 34 FG

MV — Preston Jones 65 run (Warne kick)

Third quarter

U — Browning 14 run (Bauer kick)

MV — G. Jones 10 run (Warne kick)

U — Bauer 2 run (Bauer kick)

U — Browning 18 run (Bauer kick)

Fourth quarter

U — Bauer 4 run (Bauer kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Mountain View: G. Jones 13-48, P. Jones 14-162, Lex Reese 8-(minus 8), Jesus Familia 7-37. Union: Berfanger 3-35, Browning 16-215, Bauer 16-124, Nolan Henry 7-15, Tommy Strassenberg 1-2, Abe Smith 3-6, Jordan Lawson 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Mountain View: Reese 7-14-2-104. Union: Henry 10-14-1-158.

RECEIVING — Mountain View: Colin Biggs 1-2, Familia 2-29, Corey Henderson 3-53, Jeff Adams 1-20. Union: Zach Caston 2-49, Tyler Dionne 4-62, Gabe Mullen 2-34, Carter Clay 1-5, Berfanger 1-8.