Union navigates its way to 4A football semifinals

A football team’s journey is rarely a straight road.

Union saw a season’s worth of ups and downs, twists and turns and tension in a 49-35 win over Bothell in the Class 4A state quarterfinals Saturday at McKenzie Stadium.

Fortunately for Union, it’s a road they’ve traveled before. The Titans have faced tough teams. They’ve won close games. They’ve made big plays when they’ve had to have them.

All of that happened on Saturday.

“We’re a fist,” said senior Alex Vallejo. “We play as one together. If one person needs to make a play, they step up. We have a bunch of those dudes on our team.”

Union is now in the state semifinals for the first time since 2009. The Titans will face Puyallup next weekend at a time and location to be determined.

Union (12-0) handed Puyallup (11-1) its only loss this season, 38-31 on Sept. 28. That was one of five Titan wins this season decided by seven points or less. All came against teams that reached at least the state preliminary round, as well as a high-level California team.

And those games were crucial for preparing Union for Bothel (9-3), which had the Titans on their heels in the first half, jumping to a 14-6 lead.

“We’ve been in games like this the whole season,” quarterback Lincoln Victor said.

Victor completed 15 of 18 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 126 yards and a six-yard touchdown than saw him cover more than 20 yards en route.

But his lone interception late in the first half set up Bothell deep in Titan territory with the score tied at 21.

Then, junior linebacker Tyler Summers came through with the play of the game.

With the ball at Union’s 13, Bothell tried a reverse handoff. But the trick play went awry when the second handoff was fumbled.

Summers scooped up the ball at the 30-yard line and took off down the right sideline.

“Next thing I knew it was in my hands,” Summers said. “I waited for my teammates to catch up. They got there pretty quick, so that helped. Great block from Darien Chase to get me to the end zone.”

Summers’ 70 yard fumble return for a touchdown gave Union a 28-21 lead with 20 seconds left in the half.

More importantly, it gave Union the momentum at the end of a half where Bothell outgained the Titans 280-217, but fumbled twice in Union territory.

“It’s so great to have teammates that when I throw a pick, they back you up,” Victor said.

Victor extended Union’s lead to 35-21 when he hit Alishawuan Taylor for a 28-yard touchdown on the first drive of the second half.

But Bothell wasn’t done. On fourth and 10, quarterback Erik Bainter eluded two pass rushers, then found Branden Bird for a 32-yard touchdown.

Saturday’s strong wind wreaked havoc with the ensuing kickoff, leading to a loose ball that Bothell recovered.

Seven plays and 29 yards later, Bothell scored on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line to tie the game at 35.

But Union’s offense was finding its groove. The Titans drove down the field, converting a fourth down and two third-down conversions.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Victor hit Jojo Siofele for a 5-yard touchdown pass.

“We were able to pick up the matchups and the holes in the defense,” Victor said. “We knew we were going to see various looks from them up front.”

Bothell’s next drive fizzled a midfield. After a punt into the end zone, Union drove 80 yards in six plays. Isaiah Jones’ 16-yard run gave Union a 49-35 lead with 6:59 to play.

That sent Union on its away to another win that hardly came easily.

“We knew this was going to be a four-quarter game,” Vallejo said. “We had that mindset and just balled out tonight.”

UNION 49, BOTHELL 35

Bothell 14 7 14 0—35

Union 6 22 7 14—49

First quarter

B — Erik Bainter 1 run (Mason Locknane kick)

U — Nile Jones 1 run (kick blocked)

B — Christian Galvan 16 run (Locknane kick)

Second quarter

U — Darien Chase 39 pass from Lincoln Victor (Alishawuan Taylor pass from Victor)

U — Victor 6 run (Christian Alcorn kick)

U — Tyler Summers 70 fumble return (Alcorn kick)

Third quarter

U — Taylor 28 pass from Victor (Alcorn kick)

B — Branden Bird 32 pass from Bainter (Locknane kick)

B — Ryan Metz 1 run (Locknane kick)

Fourth quarter

U — Siofele 5 pass from Victor (Alcorn kick)

U — Isaiah Jones 14 run (Alcorn kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Bothell: Christian Galvan 5-35, Erik Bainter 7-36, Branden Bird 13-51, Ryan Metz 2-5, Riley Morrison 4. Union: Lincoln Victor 12-126, Jojo Siofele 13-47, Nile Jones 8-33, Alishawuan Taylor 2-13, Darien Chase 1-9, Isaiah Jones 6-58.

PASSING — Bothell: Erik Bainter 26-44-0-278. Union: Lincoln Victor 15-18-1-217.

RECEIVING — Bothell: Riley Morrison 9-95, Blake Bickhaus 2-14, Branden Bird 5-31, Ryan Metz 1-8, Leon Johnson 5-82, Mason Locknane 3-29, Colin Fisherkeller 1-19. Union: Darien Chase 4-69, Jojo Siofele 5-64, Alishawuan Taylor 3-45, Alex Vallejo 2-39.