Tulsa World: Big question facing BA

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Big question facing BA
Tigers are still looking to break through in 6A.

Fridrich

By MATT BAKER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/26/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 11/26/2009 7:14 AM

Broken Arrow entered the season ranked third in Class 6A, rekindling the annual debate of whether the Tigers can knock off Union or Jenks and win their first state championship.

So, as the Tigers prepare to face second-ranked Union in the state semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tulsa's Chapman Stadium, is this the year Broken Arrow finally breaks through?

"Our objective when I came here was to win the gold ball," Tigers coach Ron Lancaster said. "Quite frankly, that's the only reason I came back. What other thing is there than to win the dang thing?"

Broken Arrow is two games away from doing so. It's the first state semifinal appearance for the Tigers since 2005 and the farthest Lancaster has taken the team, but they face a tough test in Union.

The defending state champion Redskins dominated Lawton 63-25 in last week's quarterfinals. Union's defense forced two key turnovers and held Broken Arrow to a pair of field goals in a season-opening 17-6 victory.

"Early in the season, you have a tendency for offenses to be a little bit behind, and that's the way it was," Union coach Kirk Fridrich said. "Now you have two offenses scoring a lot of points. It should make it pretty interesting this time around."

Broken Arrow quarterback Archie Bradley started slowly as he learned the Tigers' offense, but has found his rhythm recently. He threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 24-17 win over Midwest City in the quarterfinals.

Union quarterback Chase Boyce hasn't put up huge numbers this season but has led the Redskins' offense well, making big plays with his arm and his legs. Boyce was 14-of-17 passing for 231 yards and two scores in the opening-week win.

Lancaster said Broken Arrow will have to contain Boyce to have a chance at cracking into the state finals. Union has won 23 of the last 24 meetings in the series.

"Sure there's a reason Broken Arrow has not won those big games against Union," said Lancaster, who plans to step down after this season.

"But I don't know much about that. All I know is they've won (two), and we've won one since I came here. Now it's time for us to go win a second one."

No. 3 Broken Arrow vs. No. 2 Union

Where: Chapman Stadium, University of Tulsa

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Radio: KTBZ am1430 (BA), KYAL fm97.1 (Union)

Tickets: $7 adults, $5 students

Matt Baker 581-8358
matt.baker@tulsaworld.com By MATT BAKER World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment uniondad, (11/27/2009 4:11:50 AM) Let's go Redskins!
	Report Comment uniondad, (11/27/2009 4:14:17 AM) It's not on television? How did that happen?
	Report Comment KJL, Green Country (11/28/2009 12:09:45 AM) Union v. Jenks again book it, 6A is such a lock now days.

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