Sto-Rox bounces back with win over Union

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 12:21 AM

How does a team respond to a 40-point, mercy rule defeat?

For the Sto-Rox Vikings, you respond with a mercy rule victory of your own.

Eric Wilson threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns, and the Vikings defense and special teams scored touchdowns in a 60-0 rout of Union in Class A Big 7 Conference action. The victory was the first in the coaching career of LaRoi Johnson.

”You can’t ask for a better game,” Johnson said. “That’s what you want as a head coach, you want to see all of your sides shine. It’s good to see my kids get rewarded for their hard work.”

While Sto-Rox dominated with 403 yards of total offense, it was the Vikings defense that stole the show.

After giving up 46 points in a loss to OLSH a week ago, Sto-Rox responded not only with a shutout, but in completely shutting down the Union offense. The Scotties finished with negative yards of offense and only converted one first down in the game.

Sto-Rox’s special teams started the scoring less than three minutes into the game. Union was forced to punt from their end zone when the snap went over the punter Cam Brown’s head. Brown was able to corral the snap, but was immediately tackled in the end zone for a safety.

On the ensuing free kick, Amir Austin ran 52 yards for a touchdown and a quick 8-0 Sto-Rox lead.

On the Vikings’ next possession, Wilson found Jaidon Berry for a 25-yard touchdown on fourth down to extend the lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Sto-Rox then exploded offensively, putting 30 points on the board in the second quarter. Vinnie Eggleton ran for two touchdowns in the quarter, Berry returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown, and Wilson threw a touchdown to Austin for his second score.

Even with the mercy rule in effect in the second half, the offensive onslaught continued for Sto-Rox. Wilson found Ahmad Pack for fourth quarter touchdowns of 16 and 85 yards to round out the scoring.

For Union (1-2, 0-2), quarterback Tyler Benedict could not find any rhythm and was constantly pressured from the defensive front. Sto-Rox registered four sacks and held Union to minus-33 yards rushing.

“We’re young. We have to get better,” Union coach Stacy Robinson said. “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. So the main thing is next week that we need to try to get better.”

Sto-Rox (1-2, 1-1) will look to continue the momentum gained with a big victory, and especially with the improved play in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

“My defensive line, I’ve told them since the summer time that they have the chance to be something special,” Johnson said. “The offensive line…said they were going to come out and establish themselves a little bit. They were disappointed in their performance (a week ago).”

And while it was the big guys who dominated, Johnson knows it is the little things throughout the week that led to a big result.

“It’s always about small things. All the small things add up and show out on Friday. And it was a good day today.”

James Dotson is a freelance writer.

Tags: Sto-Rox, Union