For Jordan Lawson, Friday was not just another game.
For months, the Union quarterback dwelled on last season’s playoff loss to Federal Way and the rematch that opened this season.
“I’m not going to lie. It has been a long offseason,” Lawson said. “I had a hand in that loss. But it has been motivation to come together and work, knowing this game was coming.”
How did Lawson respond?
With a performance that was not just another game for any quarterback.
Lawson threw six touchdowns, completing 15 of 20 passes for 269 yards in a 46-35 win over Federal Way at McKenzie Stadium.
Keithen Shepard caught seven passes for 119 yards, including touchdown catches of 41 and 32 yards. Nate Kuratli added five catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
That aerial attack kept Union just out of reach from a Federal Way team that had its own share of big plays. Quarterback D’Jimon Jones, who frustrated Union’s defenders with his elusiveness, finished with 242 yards passing and three touchdowns.
But each time Union’s lead was questioned, Lawson had an answer.
“That dude was on fire,” Union running back Rey Green said. “He’s a great leader for this team and we love him.”
Lawson became Union’s starting quarterback last season after Nolan Henry was injured in Week 7. He said that he felt no pressure trying to fill the shoes of last year’s High School Heisman recipient — then or now.
“The seniors came to me and said, ‘This is you. Lead us,’” Lawson said. “That was great, and it has just flowed over into this year.”
If Lawson showed one trait on Friday, it was poise. Several times, he hung in the pocket until the last second, taking a big hit right after releasing the ball.
He also had the moxie to lead scoring drives that came on the heels of Federal Way touchdowns.
None was more impressive that just before halftime. Federal Way had just pulled within 15-14 with 34 seconds left in the half. Union could have taken a knee, gone to the locker room and regrouped.
Not a chance.
Lawson connected with Kuratli for 39 yards then found Shepard for a 32-yard touchdown toss.
Two plays, 71 yards, 22 seconds, momentum regained.
“I give it all to him,” Shepard said of Lawson. “He put the ball where I could catch it. I just had to do my job.”
Early in the third quarter, Federal Way recovered a fumble on the 5-yard line. That set up a touchdown that again forced Union to respond. This time, Lawson organized an eight-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Kai Gamble’s nine-yard touchdown catch.
Green, playing his first game since transferring from Evergreen, said Union’s offense found a nice rhythm. He finished with 11 carries for 53 yards and felt the run game complemented the passing attack well.
“I think we got a good feel for their defense,” Green said. “They were getting tired, so we’d do the play-action, their defense would suck up and we’d throw the ball over them.”
Lawson was not the only one for whom Friday was not just another game.
The quarterback said that he saw many teammates grow as the game went on.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys that came in,” Lawson said. “Nobody knows their names. But they will now.”
UNION 46, FEDERAL WAY 35
Federal Way 7 7 7 14 — 35
Union 7 15 7 17 — 46
First quarter
FW – Bobiono Sims 21 pass from D’Jimon Jones (Sam Han kick)
U – Keithen Shepard 41 pass from Jordan Lawson (Connor Culp kick)
Second quarter
U – R.J. Quirante 25 pass from Lawson (Kuratli run)
FW – Jones 2 run (Han kick)
U – Shepard 32 pass from Lawson (Culp kick)
Third quarter
FW – Andrzej Hughes-Murray 2 run (Han kick)
U – Kai Gamble 9 pass from Lawson (Culp kick)
Fourth quarter
U – Nate Kuratli 9 pass from Lawson (Culp kick)
FW – Ben Koler 1 pass from Jones (Han kick)
U – Kuratli 38 pass from Lawson (Culp kick)
FW – Sims 23 pass from Jones (Han kick)
U – FG, Culp 32
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Federal Way: Hughes-Murray 11-46, Williams 10-54, Jones 11-38, Ridders 1-3, Togia 1-4, Molano 1-2. Union: Rey Green 11-53, Abe Smith 1-2, Lawson 1-6, JoJo Siofele 3-9, R.J. Quirante 7-59, Adrian Andrade 1-4.
RECEIVING – Federal Way: Parker 4-64, Sims 5-99, Koler 6-67, Steckler 1-12. Union: Kuratli 5-108, Shepard 7-119, Gamble 2-17, Quirante 1-25.
PASSING – Federal Way: Jones 15-28-242. Union: Lawson 15-20-269.
