OWASSO — Union’s 21-14 semifinal loss to Edmond Santa Fe in the Class 6AI semifinals Saturday night was symbolic of Union’s 2020 season.
The season included an 0-4 start and six consecutive wins entering the semifinal at Owasso Stadium.
“This game is kind of how the season went,” Union coach Kirk Fridrich said. “We had to respond and our kids did a good job of that. We just came up short.”
Fourth-ranked Santa Fe (10-2), which held on after jumping to a quick 21-0 lead, advances to play No. 2 Jenks in the 6AI state final at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Wantland Stadium.
Santa Fe defeated Union for the first time in five playoff meetings, including quarterfinal games in 2017 and ‘18.
“Hats off to Tulsa Union,” Wolves coach Kyle White said. “They’re an unbelievable team, a really good team. Our kids played well and our coaches did a great job preparing everybody.”
Third-ranked Union (6-5) battled back and had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the final moments after linebacker Caleb Caylao stopped Santa Fe’s Ethane Hyche for no gain on 4th-and-1 at the Santa Fe 29. Union reached the 10, but Grayson Tempest’s third-down pass was intercepted by Talyn Shettron at the goal line with 1:14 left.
Shettron, an Oklahoma commit regarded by many as the state’s top receiver, was held to two catches for 48 yards, but had a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter after rarely playing on defense this year.
“He’s a good football player and he’s going to make a lot of plays, and unfortunately he made too many on us tonight,” Fridrich said.
Also making plays for Santa Fe was quarterback Scott Pfieffer, who threw three TD passes, including two to Angelo Rankin in the fourth quarter. Rankin also had an interception.
Another pivotal moment came early in the third quarter. With the Wolves leading 21-7, Union’s Devin Robinson returned an interception 30 yards to the Santa Fe 10. But Union turned the ball over on downs after a fourth-down incomplete pass from the 2.
In contrast, Santa Fe took full advantage of two early interceptions that ended Union’s first two possessions. Gavin Duverger came up with the first interception and after a Union penalty at the end of the return, the Wolves started their first drive at the Union 41.
Four plays later, Rankin caught a 3-yard TD pass from Pfieffer. Union’s Demarion Thomas blocked the extra-point kick.
Rankin had the second interception and set up the Wolves at their 48. Nine plays later, Rankin scored on a 14-yard swing pass. Santa Fe, after a Union offside penalty, elected to go for the 2-point conversion and Rankin scored again for a 14-0 lead with 4:02 left in the first quarter.
On their third possession, the Wolves drove 66 yards in seven plays, capped by Pfieffer’s 12-yard TD pass to Talyn’s brother, Tabry Shettron, on the second quarter’s opening play.
As time expired in the first half, Union scored on fourth down as Rovaughn Banks took a direct snap and launched himself across the goal line from the 2. Tyler Cowan kicked the extra point to cut Santa Fe’s lead to 21-7.
In the fourth quarter, after the teams traded turnovers, Union drove 88 yards in 11 plays. Tempest was 5-of-5 on the drive for 73 yards, with three passes completed to Da’Monn Sanders. AJ Green finished off the drive with his 3-yard dive into the end zone for a touchdown with 5:20 left, cutting the Wolves’ lead to 21-14.
Green finished with 27 carries for 108 yards. Union seemed to be wearing down the Wolves as the second half progressed, but Santa Fe would not be denied its first title-game appearance since losing to Jenks in 2003.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our fight,” Fridrich said. “We got it close, the defense had some good stops when they needed to. Unfortunately we just didn’t get them stopped in the first quarter.”
View from the sidelines: Union vs. Edmond Santa Fe in 6AI playoff semifinal
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Blake Montgomery tackles Union's AJ Green during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Brice Ashlock tackles Edmond Santa Fe's Ethane Hynche during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shane Fields celebrates after a fourth down stop during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Chris Fitzpatrick tackles Union's Rovaughn Banks during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Tyler Lewis tackles Union's Da'Monn Sanders during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Angelo Rankin knocks a pass away Union's Shea Dan during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Angelo Rankin tackles Union's AJ Green during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Angelo Rankin tackles Union's AJ Green during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Talyn Shettron returns an interception during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Tyler Lewis and Gavin Duverger tackles Union's Da'Monn Sanders during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shane Fields tackles Edmond Santa Fe's Micah Snoody in a semifinal playoff game at Owasso High School last Saturday.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Brice Ashlock tackles Edmond Santa Fe's Ethane Hynche during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Rovaughn Banks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shane Fields celebrates after a fourth down stop during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's AJ Green fights off an attempted tackle by Edmond Santa Fe's Lucas Clifton during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Scott Pfieffer hugs Adrian Grenados after their team's 21-14 win over Union at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Scott Pfieffer covers his face while reacting to his team's 21-14 win over Union at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. The win helped send Edmond Santa Fe to the Class 6AI State Title game.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Tyler Lewis hugs a teammate after his team's 21-14 win over Union at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union coaches console Lane Wood and Thalian Pratt after their 21-14 loss to Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Edmond Santa Fe's Taylin Shettron returns an interception to seal his team's 21-14 win over Union at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shane Fields hugs a fan after his team's 21-14 loss to Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Ashton Kelch tackles Union's Rovaughn Banks during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Scott Pfieffer stiff arms Union's Shane Fields during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's AJ Green stiff arms Edmond Santa Fe's James Burnett during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Zane Brits tackles Union's AJ Green during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Scott Pfieffer stiff arms Union's Shane Fields during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Chris Fitzpatrick tackles Union's Rovaughn Banks during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Demarrrion Thomas tackles Edmond Santa Fe's Ethane Hyche during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Taykin Shettron secures a catch during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Chris Fitzpatrick tackles Union's Rovaughn Banks during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Scott Pfieffer attempts a pass while being pressured by Union's Makhal Belt during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Demarrrion Thomas tackles Edmond Santa Fe's Ethane Hyche during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's AJ Green runs the ball during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Tabry Shettron and Audrel Burge celebrate a Shettron's touchdown while Union's Jamori Ray reacts during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Grayson Tempest crawls for extra yards after being hit during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Taykin Shettron secures a catch while being forced out of bounds by Union's Caleb Caylo and Makhal Belt during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Rovaughn Banks runs past Edmond Santa Fe's Chris Fitzpatrick during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's AJ Green runs the ball during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shea Dan catches a pass while being defended by Angelo Rankin during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Edmond Santa Fe's Gavin Duverger leads a group of defenders while tackling Union's Rovaughn Banks during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Grayson Tempest stiff arms Edmond Santa Fe's Dylan Rodgers during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
Union vs Edmond Santa Fe

Union's Shea Dan catches a pass while being defended by Angelo Rankin during a football game between Union and Edmond Santa Fe at Owasso High School on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.
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