October 2, 2010
U. City continues resurgance
Sophomore Nick Espana returned a second quarter interception for a touchdown.
Click Here for more photos from Bayonne at Union City.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
UNION CITY – When the Soaring Eagles got off to a disappointing 0-2 start, head coach Wilbur Valdez’s message was clear – this season was far from over. Fast forward two weeks and now Union City’s goal of a playoff berth is back in its sights.
The Soaring Eagles are now 2-2 as they scored 33 unanswered points to defeat Bayonne 33-3 last night at Roosevelt Stadium.
“Everybody’s focused and even though we were 0-2 we still had one goal –to go to the state playoffs,” senior RB/LB Edguardo Ayala said. “And once you’re in there, make magic.”
“I knew that weeks one and two were going to be tough,” Valdez said. “The last two weeks we’ve done a better job and we’re putting ourselves in a position to make a run.”
Since losing the first two games to Montclair and West Orange, Union City seems to be on the right track. Even without starting RB Dominick Montanez, the Soaring Eagles have out-scored their opponents by an 87-3 margin.
While Valdez believes the turnaround is due to better execution, his players believe the improvement is as much mental as physical.
“We’re a lot more confident,” said junior RB/DB Steve Le. “Coach (Valdez) put a lot of things into our heads. We got our minds focused.”
That confidence was tested early as the visiting Bees (1-3) drove right down the field for a field goal. Bayonne followed it up by recovering the ensuing kickoff in Union City territory what head coach Frank Blunda called “a placement kick.”
The Bayonne momentum would be short lived as Soaring Eagles linebacker Juan Cruz intercepted a Biaggio Cancro pass on the ensuing play. Cruz’s interception, the first of two in the opening quarter, would set up Union City’s first score and put them firmly in control the rest of the night.
“We never wanted to panic, but after they got that kick, I took a good look at (my players) and I told them ‘we’re battle-tested for this, let’s go.’” Valdez said. “I liked the response after that with the interception and driving it down the field. It says a lot about their character.”
Le gave the Soaring Eagles the lead with a 23-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left in the first quarter. They would strike again 91 seconds later when sophomore Nick Espana took an interception 53 yards for a touchdown.
“That was just a young kid being where he’s supposed to be and making a play,” Valdez said. “We preach to them to make a play and do something special.”
“Of course it’s disappointing to see that,” said Blunda about the interceptions. “But we’re going to live with that because (Cancro’s) a sophomore and it’s his second start. We’re going to get him better.”
Armed with the lead, Union City put the game in the hands of their rushing attack. With Montanez out, the Soaring Eagles relied on a running back rotation of Le, Ayala and Espana.
Le used his big-play ability to rip off two runs of 50-plus yards and finish with 158 yards on just 11 carries. Ayala, provided physical running between the tackles as he rushed 15 times for 59 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Espnana added 30 yards on seven carries.
“They’re all different type of backs and they understand that,” Valdez said. “They play within their role. They do a good job and we’re able to move the ball up and down the field with those guys.”
Cancro led Bayonne with 37 yards rushing and completed 3-of-5 passes for 19 yards. Travis Gallardo added 29 yards on three carries. Starting running back L.J. Fischer had 26 yards rushing before suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury early in the fourth quarter.
“We knew that this part of our schedule was going to be a tough part of the year for us,” said Blunda “We know what’s in front of us. We’ve just got to keep working and get better.”
Bayonne will host North Bergen next Friday and then face St. Peter’s Prep the following week.
Union City will put its win streak on the line next Saturday afternoon in Jersey City against St. Peter’s Prep.
Sophomore Biaggio Cancro led the Bees in rushing in his second career start.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayonne Bees (1-3) | 3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| Union City Soaring Eagles (2-2) | 14 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
33 |
| B: Sean Marko, 24 field goal | |||||
| UC: Steve Le, 23 run (Kevin Roman kick) | |||||
| UC: Nick Espana, 53 interception return (Roman kick) | |||||
| UC: Edguardo Ayala, 2 run (run failed) | |||||
| UC: Ayala, 1 run (run failed) | |||||
| UC: Roy Santiago, 10 run (Roman kick) | |||||