Rosewood soars past Union

In a high-stakes game on Friday night, the Union Spartans faced off against the Rosewood HEagles, with Rosewood securing a dominant 46-18 victory. The matchup, held at Union’s home field, saw Rosewood’s offense overpower Union’s defense early on, building an insurmountable lead in the first half despite some flashes of effort from Union’s key players.

The game began with both teams warming up for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a huddle and a prayer, setting the stage for an intense competition. As the first quarter kicked off, Union’s defense showed early promise, with standout performances from players like Kristofer Ramirez and Andres Grimaldo, who were active in tackling. However, Rosewood quickly took control of the game, scoring their first touchdown with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter. After an impressive drive down the field, they seized the momentum, taking an early 6-0 lead after missing the extra point.

Rosewood capitalized on Union’s mistakes, recovering an onside kick to regain possession of the ball. Union’s defense, led by strong efforts from Grimaldo and John Malahias, managed to halt Rosewood’s offense for a brief period, preventing further progress down the field. Despite their solid defense, Union struggled to gain any traction offensively when they regained possession. On a kickoff return, Grimaldo ran the ball up the field, but Rosewood’s defense remained strong, stopping Union before they could make significant headway. After a few modest gains, including a five-yard run by Tobias Cromartie, Union’s offense stalled, and Rosewood regained control of the ball.

Rosewood quickly took advantage, driving the ball downfield and scoring their second touchdown of the game. Another missed extra point left the score at 13-0. Union’s struggles continued on offense as they started their next drive at their 30-yard line. Although Grimaldo and Malahias made a few notable plays with solid runs, the team could not turn their efforts into points. Rosewood’s defense tightened up, forcing Union to punt once again.

Rosewood, maintaining their momentum, scored another touchdown, making the score 19-0 after an unsuccessful extra-point attempt. Union’s defense, led by a determined effort from Ramirez, Grimaldo, and Malahias, fought hard but couldn’t keep up with Rosewood’s relentless offense. Before the first quarter ended, Rosewood added two more touchdowns, widening the gap to 33-0 by the close of the period.

In the second quarter, Union continued to struggle, though there were moments of promise. Defensive players Darey Castro, Joseph Suarez, Malahias, Ramirez, and Jayden Lira worked together to try and contain Rosewood’s offense, but Rosewood’s aggressive play-calling and execution proved too much to handle. Despite two sacks by Union’s Manny Adams, Rosewood found a way to break through and score another touchdown, extending their lead to 39-0.

Before halftime, Rosewood would score one more touchdown, this time executing a successful run play that left Union trailing 46-0. Union’s defense, despite some key individual plays, struggled to contain Rosewood’s balanced attack, which moved efficiently both on the ground and through the air.

Union entered the third quarter with determination, though the deficit was overwhelming. Cromartie became a spark for the team’s offense, scoring three touchdowns in the second half, helping Union to salvage some pride and put points on the board. Despite these efforts, Rosewood’s early dominance had already sealed the outcome of the game. By the time the final whistle blew, Rosewood had secured a comfortable 46-18 victory.

After the game, Union’s head coach, Mark Oates, spoke about the challenge his team faced and his thoughts on the overall performance. “It’s tough when you’re playing teams like Rosewood who are strong on both sides of the ball,” Oates said. “I’d love to see our team play against JV squads that are closer in caliber to our own, but I’m proud of the effort we put in today.”

Oates highlighted some of the individual performances that stood out, particularly the resilience shown in the second half. “Tobias Cromartie really stepped up in the second half. He found some gaps and helped us get on the scoreboard. That’s the kind of effort and spirit we want to build on moving forward,” Oates commented. “Our defense had moments too. Adams had two sacks, and we saw some good tackling from Ramirez, Grimaldo, and Malahias. We just need to be more consistent.”

Looking ahead, Oates stressed the importance of building on the positives and continuing to develop as a team. “We’re a work in progress. There’s no denying that. But games like these give us a chance to learn, improve, and get stronger for the next one,” he said. “I believe in these guys, and we’re going to keep pushing to get better each week.”

Union’s next game will provide them with another opportunity to test their growth and put lessons learned from this loss into practice. The team, now 0-7 on the season, is hoping to turn things around and secure a win in their next matchup. Despite the tough loss, Coach Oates and his players remain committed to improving and showcasing their potential as the season progresses.

The game against Rosewood highlighted the disparity between the two teams in terms of experience and execution, but it also showed that Union has the talent and determination to compete, even in the face of adversity. As the season continues, to build on players who have all shown flashes of brilliance throughout the game.

While the result wasn’t what Union had hoped for, the effort and determination displayed by the players provide a foundation for growth. With Coach Oates at the helm, the Spartans remain focused on their goal of improving each week, ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.