When you've won as many Oklahoma state titles as
Union (Tulsa, Okla.) you find new ways to prevail.
But a 30-yard fumble return? In the final four minutes?
Unlikely, but true.
Coleby Evans scooped up a botched hand-off with 3 minutes, 51 seconds remaining and raced into the end zone to help Union (14-1) overcome a late fourth-quarter deficit to defeat upstart
Broken Arrow 23-22 in the state 6A title game.
Evans, who also returned an interception 85 yards to set up another score, led Union to its fourth consecutive state crown. The victory was also Union's third straight by a single digit, a first in state history.
It was painful for Broken Arrow, which was after its first state crown.
Evans' early interception return set up a
Kyle Crutchmer 1-yard TD run that gave Union a 16-14 lead late in the third quarter.
Broken Arrow (14-2) didn't wilt as
Zack Mills completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to
Levi Copelin and then a 2-point conversion pass to Quad Ware to go up 22-16 with nine minutes remaining.
The lead looked safe until the fumble return by Evans.
