Both Norman (Okla.) and Tulsa Union know what’s at stake in Friday night’s Class 6A-I opening-round playoff game.
The winner will get the right to travel to face the state’s top-ranked team in perennial juggernaut Bixby.
However, both the Tigers and the Redhawks want that chance to perhaps take down the mighty Spartans, and in order to do so, they must face one another Friday night at Tulsa’s Union Stadium.
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Norman comes into Friday’s playoff opener at 6-4, but currently on a three-game losing streak. That included the Tigers falling to Bixby, 72-3, in last week’s regular season finale.
As for Union, the Redhawks – a longtime Tulsa-area football power themselves – come in with an uncharacteristic sub-.500 record, standing at 4-6 in its first season under coach Antonio Graham, a former standout player at Union. The Redhawks are also coming off a loss in last week’s regular season finale, 16-10, to Edmond Memorial.
But for both the Tigers and Redhawks, Friday presents a brand-new season. Not to mention the prize of getting to play three-time defending 6A-I champion Bixby next week.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Tulsa.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
TULSA UNION 14, NORMAN 14 2ND QTR.
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SECOND QUARTER
– TOUCHDOWN NORMAN. Union can’t take advantage of the fumble and has to punt. Norman takes over with excellent field position, and the Tigers punch it in on a 13-yard run from Anthony Johnson on third-and-4. The PAT evens things up. (14-14 | 3:02, 2nd)
– FUMBLE RECOVERY UNION. Norman reached inside the Union 5 before a false start penalty backed up the Tigers. Then on the next play, the Redhawks force a fumble, and senior LB Tucker Koch makes the recovery with less than seven minutes to go in the half.
– Norman forced to punt deep in its own territory, and Union appeared to block the kick, but the Redhawks were flagged for roughing the kicker, keeping the Tigers’ drive alive.
– TOUCHDOWN UNION. Redhawks regain the lead as, on a fourth-and-7 from the Norman 32, QB Dylan Taylor lofts a deep pass and WR Jordan Avington catches it in stride as he glides into the end zone. (Union, 14-7 | 11:07, 2nd)
FIRST QUARTER
– Union gets into Norman territory after Stone Turner catches a pass on third down as time expires in the first quarter.
– TOUCHDOWN NORMAN. Tigers come right back and tie things up on a third-down 18-yard run from Noah Hoelzer, followed by the PAT. (7-7 | 1:55, 1st)
– Norman converts on third down, with a pass from Crew Noles to Noah Hoelzer down to the Union 37.
– TOUCHDOWN UNION. Very efficient drive for the Redhawks on their opening series, and tailback Tay Parry caps things off with a 7-yard run around the right side. PAT is good. (Union, 7-0 | 6:46, 1st)
– Norman takes the opening kickoff, but goes three-and-out. Union takes over for the first time near its 40.
PREGAME
– Both teams making their way out onto the field and we’re about to get things started.
– Coming to you on a great night for football at Union Stadium in Tulsa, it’s the Redhawks of Union taking on the Tigers from Norman in the Class 6A-I playoff opener.
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