REDSKINS LOOKING FOR MORE THAN A STATE TITLE

Union has won eight state football titles in this century, but only the first of those, in 2002, capped a perfect season. “Our goal is to go undefeated and we should have gone undefeated last year,” Union defensive back Patrick Fields said. “We definitely have the talent to do it, too.” Although coach Kirk Fridrich’s Redskins are the reigning Class 6AI champions, they are not the defending 6AI-2 district champions. Norman North has that distinction. Although Union defeated Norman North in the state final, that midseason loss to the Timberwolves still bothers Fields. The loss kept Union from winning a district title for only the second time in the past 19 seasons. “We beat ourselves instead of the other team,” said Fields, a University of Oklahoma commit who will be joined at OU by Union defensive lineman Jordan Kelley. “Coach talked about that (Wednesday) that although we won our big goal we didn’t reach our little goals. Not trying to be arrogant, but we were easily the best team in the state personnel-wise. “There was no reason we shouldn’t have gone undefeated last year. This year, he’s really emphasizing maximizing our abilities.” Union is the Tulsa World’s projected favorite to reclaim the district title this season, with Norman North, Mustang and Owasso expected to claim the other playoff berths. “A lot of the teams last year were in a rebuilding stage so there’s a lot of guys coming back on those teams like Mustang,” Fridrich said. “Owasso has a lot of talent — last year they had a lot of injuries. They look like a really tough team as well.” The Redskins’ last undefeated team and first three state champions in this century were coached by Bill Blankenship, who is in his first season at Owasso’s helm. The Rams reached the state semifinals four times in the first five years of this decade, but had losing records the past two seasons. “This district reminds me a little of when I first got into 6A at Edmond (in 1990-91), and my experience was there was never an off week,” Blankenship said. “That’s kind of what its like in 6AI now, there are just no off weeks.” Owasso will have a new starting quarterback. Will Kuehne, a move-in from Texas who has been offered by North Texas, has the edge early in fall practice over another junior, Jared St. John, for that position. “Will Kuehne is the guy today who is working with the first unit,” Blankenship said. “Certainly he can’t rest on his laurels.” Union also is trying to identify its starting quarterback as Peyton Thompson entered the fall with the slight edge over Cade Farquhar and Tyler Fisher. Both Union and Owasso have a pair of major college commits on their defensive units. Owasso’s pair are safeties Josh Proctor (Ohio State) and Wayne Jones (Kansas State). And defensive end Courtre Alexander has been offered by Tulsa and Memphis. “Courtre Alexander is having a great summer,” Blankenship said. “He’s really improved his body, he’s in better condition, has better strength. You don’t get enough of those guys who have the size and the strength and can run. He’s still green and hasn’t developed into everything he will, so if he stays healthy and stays committed, I think he will have a breakout year.” Another district player headed to major college football is Union receiver CJ Moore, an Oklahoma State commit. Moore caught three TD passes in last year’s title game and is looking for more than a gold ball from his senior season. “We want to win everything,” Moore said. “Being a competitor, we never want to lose anything.”

REDSKINS LOOKING FOR MORE THAN A STATE TITLE

Photo Credit: Jessie Wardarski

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