Turnovers prove costly to No. 1 Union
BY MATT BAKER World Sports Writer
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9/12/09 at 6:15 AM
The MidFirst Backyard Bowl was a game of mistakes, and Union made one too many.
The top-ranked Redskins committed five turnovers — including one at the goal line and another in the closing minutes — in a 27-25 loss to No. 2 Jenks Friday night at Chapman Stadium.
"I thought we had our chances, but you turn the ball over five times, you shouldn't be able to win any kind of game," Union coach Kirk Fridrich said. "We didn't perform tonight. We got outcoached. We got outplayed."
And they lost the turnover battle.
Down two with less than five minutes left, the Redskins caught a break when an interception gave Union the ball past midfield. Two plays later, Redskins running back Colton Dost fumbled for Union's fifth and final turnover of the night.
"We thought we were getting down into field-goal range, maybe more," Union quarterback Chase Boyce said. "But you know what? Things happen. They played some really good defense and played hard."
Jenks' defensive line pressured Boyce all night, forcing the usually steady senior into uncharacteristic mistakes. Boyce threw an interception in the end zone near the end of the second quarter and another at the end of the third.
After passing for two touchdowns and 231 yards last week, Boyce was held to only 71 yards on 11-of-21 passing. He had more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one).
"Our line was getting up there every play," said Jenks defensive back Devin Pugh, who picked off one of Boyce's passes. "He has a very strong arm, but he wasn't able to show it tonight because our line was in his face every single play."
Jenks recovered three fumbles, including one on a muffed return of a free kick. Union made things worse by failing to convert on two fourth downs.
"Tough one," Fridrich said. "Tough one."
Union's defense and special teams played well, forcing two safeties, and senior Thomas Roberson returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown.
But Jenks' defense, early season jitters and too many mistakes kept the Redskins from beating the Trojans for a third consecutive time.
"They kept us in it as long as they could, but the offense could not rally," Boyce said. "We just kept hurting ourselves."
Matt Baker 581-8358
matt.baker@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Jenks' Trent Martin (5) and Ashton Henderson (99) cause Union's Colton Dost to fumble late in the fourth quarter. It was one of five Union turnovers. Also in on the play is Jenks' Cameron Bertelli. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
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