Bears advance to Class 2 semifinals despite being at center of international media frenzy surrounding coach wanted by authorities.
The Union program was thrust into the spotlight after its head coach
Travis Turner went missing days before the Bears' 12-0 win over Graham
on Nov. 22. Subsequent reporting found authorities wanted to bring
Turner in for questioning on criminal charges related to child
pornography and soliciting a minor, according to Virginia State Police.
Defensive coordinator Jason Edwards stepped in as interim head coach.
The 13-0 Bears opened up a 14-0 first-quarter lead and held on to advance to a state semifinal contest against
Glenvar (Salem, Va.) on Dec. 6 after the Highlanders beat
Gretna (Va.) 41-6 on Friday.
Union held a 14-7 lead at half before upping the lead to 14 points midway through the third quarter. Ridgeview trimmed the lead to 21-14 toward the end of the quarter and that stood up as the final score.
School officials refused to comment other than to say it is aware of charges filed "against a staff member who has been on administrative leave."
Senior running back Keith Chandler told
WCYB after the Graham victory "We talked in the huddle and we said, listen boys, we're going to have to handle adversity here. We stick together as brothers here and we should come out with the victory."
