4A football: Late surge ends Union’s season

FEDERAL WAY — Union’s worst nightmare came true Friday night.

Federal Way’s Chico McClatcher is scary good.

The Titans knew this going into their Class 4A state football playoff game. And there were times they figured out McClatcher. Not nearly enough, though.

McClatcher rushed for 264 yards and scored two touchdowns in 31 seconds, rallying the Eagles past the Titans 23-14.

Union saw its season come to an end with a 9-2 record. Federal Way (9-2) will advance to state quarterfinals.

“He’s just electric. He’s fun to watch. And I hate coaching against him,” Union coach Gary McGarvie said.

McClatcher scored on a 17-yard run with 2:15 left in the game to give the Eagles a 16-14 lead. After a Federal Way interception, he broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run to seal the game with 1:44 to play.

“It was a heckuva battle,” Union defensive lineman Tate Nelson said. “We both battled it out, and they came out on top in the end. Our whole team played until the end. I was really happy about that.”

The Titans, who beat Federal Way in Week 1 this season, were hoping for another strong second-half performance against the Eagles. They had one going, too, until the last seven minutes of the game.

The Titans went 53 yards on 10 plays and took a 14-10 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run from Alex Berfanger late in the third quarter.

The defense also had some big plays. In fact, the Titans held McClatcher to 2 or fewer yards on 12 of his carries. And after taking the four-point lead, the Union defense got a three-and-out, giving the ball back to the Union offense.

Union then rolled off 12 plays on its ensuing drive.

Instead of cashing in for a bigger lead, though, the drive stalled, and Federal Way took over with 6:45 to play.

It was all Eagles from there.

McClatcher had seven carries for 49 yards on the go-ahead drive.

“I wasn’t getting frustrated at all. I know I missed a couple holes on some dive plays and stuff,” McClatcher said. “But the offensive line played great the whole night. We were able to move the ball down the field and get the ‘W.’ “

Federal Way’s Ben Koler then picked off Union’s pass on the Titans first play of their next drive. Two plays later, McClatcher was doing his thing again.

“I told them there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” McGarvie said, regarding his post-game comments to his players. “They had a great year. Doing what they did, getting to the playoffs, it’s tough. Once you make the playoffs, only one team is happy. The important thing is they learn from this.”

Union junior quarterback Jordan Lawson will gain from his experience this season. He has been the starter since Week 8 after senior Nolan Henry went out with an injury.

“I never expected to play. I had great support. It’s been a blast,” said Lawson, who threw a touchdown pass to Keithen Shepard just before the end of the first half to tie the game.

“This senior class is loaded. That’s why this hurts, knowing the potential we had,” Lawson said. “We played our hardest. Federal Way was the better team tonight.”

Federal Way scored on its first drive of the game, going 62 yards on 10 plays. Andrzej Hughes-Murray scored on a 14-yard run.

The Titans were in danger of falling behind by two touchdowns, but Marcus Boyd intercepted a pass at the 1-yard line to keep it a seven-point game.

The Titans struggled on offense for most of the first half but capitalized on a Federal Way mistake on special teams. The ball was snapped over the punter’s head. He retrieved it and kicked the ball, but it was blocked. Union got the ball on the Federal Way 22-yard line.

The next play, Lawson connected with Shepard, who made a move to freeze the defensive back, then won a sprint to the end zone for a 7-7 tie at the break.

The Eagles got a field goal after the first drive of the second half for a 10-7 lead. The defenses took over for the next two possessions, then the Titans gained some momentum, and the lead, late in the third.

McClatcher, though, got it all back for Federal Way.

The momentum.

The lead.

The victory.

The Titans hugged and gave each other high-fives after the loss. Nelson said it has been special to be part of this program.

“It means being dedicated,” he said of playing for Union. “Putting in work and loving football. Everyone on this team just loves football.”

FEDERAL WAY 23, UNION 14

Union 0 7 7 0–14

F. Way 7 0 3 13–23

First quarter

FW — Andrzej Hughes-Murray 14 pass (Sam Han kick)

Second quarter

U — Keithen Shepard 22 pass from Jordan Lawson (Jonathan Granados kick)

Third quarter

FW — Han 32 FG

U — Alex Berfanger 2 run (Granados kick)

Fourth quarter

FW — Chico McClatcher 17 run (kick blocked)

FW — McClatcher 42 run (Han kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Union: Caleb Browning 12-43, Berfanger 5-18, Taylor Martin 2-7, Jack Bauer 6-27, Lawson 3-(minus 12). Federal Way: Hughes-Murray 9-55 McClatcher 34-264, Gabe Togia 2-2, Bobiono Sims 1-0, D’Jimon Jones 5-(minus 5), Team 2-(minus 2).

PASSING — Union: Lawson 10-20-2-117, Bauer 0-1-0-0. Federal Way: Jones 3-5-1-41, McClatcher 0-1-1-0.

RECEIVING — Union: Berfanger 1-14 Shepard 4-59, Tyler Dionne 4-39, Zach Caston 1-5. Federal Way: McClatcher 1-(minus 8), Marcus Tate 1-36, Charlie Taumoepeau 1-13.