Chase, Victor team up as Union beats Hermiston

For Lincoln Victor, it came down to trust.

The Union quarterback needed a big play late in the first half. So Victor looked toward his childhood friend, Darien Chase.

Chase outmuscled a defender to win the ball, then broke away for a 65-yard touchdown catch. It was the key play in Union’s 35-21 win over Hermiston, Ore., on Friday at McKenzie Stadium.

Not only did it give Union a 21-6 lead headed into halftime, it energized the Titans.

Union extended its lead to 35-6 in the second half before two late Hermiston touchdowns made the final score closer.

“We were kind of stuck in a hole,” Victor said. “But I had trust in him, since I’ve been playing with him for a while. I decided to take a shot.”

After playing for Mountain View last year, Friday’s season-opener was Chase’s first game with Union. The 6-foot-2 junior, who was a Columbian All-Region receiver last year, looked right at home in Union’s offense.

“It felt like any other game,” said Chase, who had five catches for 128 yards. “I felt comfortable with my team.”

Victor threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 12 passes to five different receivers.

“It felt good to throw three touchdowns, but I have to give credit to the line,” Victor said. “All the people get credit for catching the balls. I’m the last guy to take credit.”

On a day when the McKenzie Stadium turf amplified temperatures in the 90s, Jojo Siofele and Elijah Jones gradually wore down Hermiston. The duo combined for 135 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Siofele, a 200-pound junior, was playing his first game since a knee injury in last year’s season-opener at Hermiston.

Friday, he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard rush in the third quarter. He also had a 33-yard halfback pass to Chase.

“If felt great being back with my team and playing again,” he said. “I was just thankful for my line. They did it all.”

Union’s defense tightened up when it needed. The Titans had four interceptions, all occurring after Hermiston had crossed midfield.

Alex Vallejo had two of those interceptions.

“We want to be dogs out there,” Vallejo said. “We’re eating every day.”

As with any season-opener, there were areas Union hopes to improve upon. The Titans had more than a dozen penalties, including one that nullified an 80-yard punt return by Chase.

But the Titans left little doubt they can play a physical brand of defense and score from anywhere on the field.

“We have so much potential,” Chase said. “If we use it right, we’ll be great.”

UNION 35, HERMISTON 21

Hermiston    0          6          0          15       —         21

Union             7          14       7          7          —         35

First quarter

U – Elijah Jones 21 pass from Lincoln Victor (Alex Koga kick)

Second quarter

U – Jojo Siofele 5 run (Koga kick)

H – Andrew James 1 run (run failed)

U – Darien Chase 65 pass from Victor (Koga kick)

Third quarter

U – Siofele 25 run (Koga kick)

Fourth quarter

U – Alishawaun Taylor 16 pass from Victor (Koga kick)

H – Dayshaun Neal 7 pass from James (Joey Gutierrez pass from James)

H – Neal 10 pass from James (Neal kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Hermiston: Jonathan Hinkle 9-33, Andrew James 21-147, Tyler Rohrman 1-4, Peter Earl 5-14. Union: Elijah Jones 9-31, Jojo Siofele 13-104, Braedon Ensley 1-6, Lincoln Victor 5-19.

Passing

Hermiston: Andrew James 15-27-4-184. Union: Lincoln Victor 12-22-1-194, Jojo Siofele 1-33.

Receiving

Hermiston: Tyler Rohrman 2-26, Jonathan Hinkle 2-25, Keaton Mikami 2-14, Dayshawn Neal 7-86, Joey Gutierrez 2-32. Union: Darien Chase 5-128, Elijah Jones 2-31, Aiden Nellor 2-28, Alishawaun Taylor 2-31, Dakota Oliphant 2-9.