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Union football preview: Talent-rich Titans focus on short-term progress to reach long-term goals

The Columbian

Published: August 27, 2018, 6:33pm

Amanda Cowan/The Columbian Quarterback Lincoln Victor, the reigning 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP, threw for 22 touchdowns and rushed for five last year.

The guy his teammates call Dream is living one at Union.

Senior Alishawuan Taylor has been on both sides of the high school win-loss column. He wants nothing more than to end at the top after starting at rock bottom.

Before helping Union to its first league title since 2009 last season, Taylor starred at Rockford (Ill.) High School on a team that snapped a 27-game losing streak his sophomore year.

The transition west to a school accustomed to winning was more than an eye-opener.

“It’s a big change,” he said.

Are bigger things now in store for the Titans this year? Last season included a seven-game winning streak to reach the 4A state playoffs, only to see it end in what players call a disappointing first-round exit to Sumner.

That’s when Taylor and others saw a change in the team’s thinking — Union can take that next step.

“That’s all we preach,” Taylor said. “I know this team really wants it and will do anything to get it.”

The Titans are aware of the hype surrounding them. They’re a top 5-ranked team in multiple statewide preseason polls. Union coach Rory Rosenbach believes they can live up to those high expectations by not looking too far ahead.

“Focus in on what’s in front of you,” Rosenbach said. “That’s the only thing you can control now.”

And why not when you have a wealth of returning experience on both sides, an offensive line Rosenbach calls the most talented and deepest he’s had, and some of the most sought-after college recruits.

One of them is Darien Chase at wide receiver and cornerback, plus quarterback Lincoln Victor, the reigning 4A GSHL MVP. Leading rusher Jojo Siofele and Mountain View transfer Nile Jones give the offense more flexibility.

Said Rosenbach: “It’s going to be a fun year if we all do our jobs.”

3 THINGS TO KNOW

• Union begins season as reigning league champions for first time since 2009.

• Eight starters return on offense, seven on defense.

• Union’s returning leading passer, receiver and rusher accounted for 4,328 total yards last season.

2017 season: 9-2, 4-0 4A GSHL. Reached first round of state playoffs

Schedule

Home games at McKenzie Stadium

League games in bold

Aug. 31 at Mountain View 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 at El Cerrito (Calif.) 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Eastlake 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Chiawana 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Puyallup 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Skyview 5 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Heritage 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 Battle Ground 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 Camas 7:30 p.m.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

Schedule

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