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Close calls are a rarity for Union
October 25, 2010
Union's Forrest McMurray celebrates in the final seconds of a game against Bartlesville at Union-Tuttle Stadium in Tulsa. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
by: BARRY LEWIS Tulsa World Sports Writer
(Reprinted with Permission. This is not an endorsement.)
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Go to Barry Lewis' BlogOriginal Print Headline: Close calls are a rarity for Redskins
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A FEW MINUTES after Union finished off a 36-35 comeback win over visiting Bartlesville on Thursday night, victorious coach Kirk Fridrich was congratulated on the field by former Union coach Bill Blankenship.
Fridrich, who was once an assistant under Blankenship, asked his former boss if he had ever similarly won any games at Union as the Redskins had just experienced. Blankenship, who coached there from 1992-2005, responded, "A few."
But during Union's 90-game district winning streak, there had never been a game comparable to the rally from a 22-point deficit against Bartlesville. Union had rarely been challenged by a district opponent since losing at Muskogee 25-13 on Halloween in 1997.
Christian Hood's interception return that set up Aaron Votruba's 41-yard field goal with 1:26 left capped Union's rally after trailing 28-6 - the Redskins' largest comeback during the streak.
To put Bartlesville's effort in perspective, Union had not allowed an opponent to score that many points at home since Jenks in 1994. In addition, Union's smallest winning margin during the streak had been seven points.
"The kids showed themselves they could play with one of the top programs," Bartlesville coach Ron Smith said. "When we don't turn the ball over, we're pretty good. The kids played their hearts out. It's just so frustrating. I am so proud of the kids and my coaching staff called a great game."
Below are the only other five close calls that Union has had during the streak (in chronological order).
Union 28, Stillwater 21 (Oct. 12, 2000): Tyler Gooch's 1-yard TD run with 10:33 left enabled the Redskins to survive after Stillwater rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to tie the game at 21. After Union's defense staged a goal-line stand, Trinity Dawson (who had 207 rushing yards) enabled the Redskins to run out the clock.
Union's 45-minute halftime show seemed to affect the Redskins in the third quarter. Blankenship said to World sports writer Lynn Jacobsen, "I heard it said that we went to a circus and a football game broke out."
Union 35, Sapulpa 28 (Sept. 21, 2001): Jordan Renz passed for 285 yards and four TDs to help the Redskins outlast the Chieftains.
With 7:01 left, Sapulpa quarterback Brett Nightengale's 1-yard TD run cut the Redskins' lead to seven. The Chieftains, however, turned the ball over on downs at the Union 49 after recovering a fumble. The Redskins' ground attack, powered by Spencer McIllwain, chewed up the final 5:17.
Union 22, Edmond North 13 (Oct. 2, 2003): Union led only 15-13 at Edmond's Wantland Stadium before quarterback Jake Spavital scored on a 4-yard run to cap a 13-play, 65-yard drive that took up much of the fourth quarter. Spavital also had a TD pass in the first quarter to help Union take a 15-0 lead.
Union 31, Broken Arrow 14 (Oct. 19, 2006): Union saw an early 21-0 lead reduced to 21-14 in the third quarter. However, Tress Way kicked a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter's final minute and Brandon Rogers added a TD pass to Brad Wondra with 1:51 left. Jeremy Smith rushed for 126 yards and caught a TD pass to lead the Redskins.
Union 45, Del City 24 (Sept. 28, 2007): Del City trailed only 38-24 in the fourth quarter and was threatening to cut the Redskins' lead to a touchdown before Tahj Lark's interception ended the Eagles' comeback hopes and set up a late TD.
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