Union’s hot start leads to big win

BURIEN — It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be. The Union Titans are headed back to the state playoffs for the third consecutive season. 

The 4A reigning champions ran by Mount Rainier 42-6 in a 4A District crossover game Saturday at Highline Memorial Stadium. The offense tallied 442 yards, the defense had three interceptions and Union had no issues taking care of business on the road trip north. 

Union will find out its first-round opponent Sunday when the WIAA seeding committees meet. At 6-4, the Titans are likely headed on the road. 

On Saturday, the Titans showed long bus rides is not a problem, jumping out of the gate with a two interceptions leading to a pair of quick scores to take a 14-0 lead in the opening four minutes. 

“We just came out with the energy; we came out with the juice,” said Union junior defensive lineman Levi Harms, who had three sacks on the day. “Once you get the momentum going, it’s hard to fight against it. So we set the momentum; we set the wave.” 

As hot as the Titans started, they just as soon cooled down. In a penalty-heavy outing — the teams combined for 18 penalties totaling 175 yards — Union lost its flow. Mount Rainier (7-2) stayed in the game with an 88-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Johnson, giving the Rams just a 21-6 halftime deficit. 

“I just think we’re not really thinking about stuff, we’re just playing,” Union coach Rory Rosenbach said of the quick start. “As the game goes on and guys are trash-talking, we just kind of lose our way a little bit and it takes us awhile to get it back. We have to get better at that.” 

Union rolled in the second half, as backup quarterback Alex Gehrmann led 63, 73 and 42-yard touchdown drives. Gehrmann — who took over for CJ Jordan after the starter tore his meniscus in Week 8 — was 21 of 33 for 246 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Jake Bowen hauled in a pair of touchdown passes and Cantu had the opening touchdown catch. Vinh Luong and Marques Cantu each ran for a touchdown. 

“I think Gehrmann has done a really good stepping up,” Bowen said. “I think he was just really prepared. He watched a lot of film and has gone out and executed.” 

Key moments

— The first two third downs for the Rams’ offense ended in interceptions. Aidan Hoyt and Tyler Summers each had a takeaway. The Titans converted the short field on both, scoring on two-play, 9-yard and 4-play, 19-yard drives to open the game. 

— The Titans started the second half with a 56-second, three-play, 63-yard drive capped by a 19-yard Vinh Luong touchdown run to extend their advantage to 28-6. 

— On three consecutive Rams’ second-half possessions, Union’s defense allowed Mount Rainier into the red zone. On each occasion, the Titans held strong and forced a turnover on downs. 

Key players

Levi Harms — The 5-foot-11, 220-pound junior defensive lineman tallied three sacks on the day, as he shifted to nose guard to counter the big interior of the Rams offensive line. “He’s got a great motor and goes all day,” Rosenbach said of the junior. 

Jake Bowen — The 6-foot-3 junior had six catches for 101 yards, including touchdown hauls of 30 and 16 yards. He also had a defensive interception.

Quotable

“Each player out here would rather die than give up a single yard. When you play with that type of passion, you tend to outmatch people.” — Union junior Levi Harms

UNION 42, MOUNT RAINIER 6

Union;14;7;7;14;42

Mt. Rainier;0;6;0;0;6

First quarter

U — Alex Gehrmann 4 run (Sonny Pitts kick)

U — Marques Cantu 10 pass from Gehrmann (Pitts kick)

Second quarter

U — Jake Bowen 30 pass from Gehrmann (Pitts kick)

MR — Jeremiah Johnson 88 run (kick block

Third quarter

U — Vinh Luong 19 run (Pitts kick)

Fourth quarter

U — Bowen 16 pass from Gehrmann (Pitts kick)

U — Cantu 4 run (Pitts kick) 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — U: Isaiah Jones 19-114, Julius Jones 4-31, Alex Gehrmann 1-4, Vinh Luong 1-19, Marques Cantu 4-28; MR: Jerry Joseph 2-4, Isaiah Fulmore 1-(-1), Jayden Tamburelli 8-(-15), Zeek Pestana-Cruz 1-4, Anthony Amaya 16-68, Jeremiah Johnson 13-144. 

Passing — U: Alex Gehrmann 21-33-1-246; MR: Jayden Tamburelli 7-32-3-73. 

Receiving — U: Tobias Merriweather 5-69, Jake Bowen 6-101, Te’Juan Conde 1-5, Marques Cantu 9-71; MR: Isaiah Fulmore 1-5, Nolan Willard 4-48, Kurt Solano 1-17, Zeek Pestana-Cruz 1-3.