MOORE'S FLAT START LEADS TO 70-0 LOSS VERSUS UNION

MOORE — When Union receiver A.K. Wilson returned the opening kick 95 yards to the end zone, Moore defensive end Nyle Holder knew his Lions were in trouble. The play was called back on a penalty, but it hardly mattered on a night Union dominated. The final score was 70-0, Union, but it could have been much worse. The No. 1 Redskins (6-0, 3-0 District 6AI-2) pulled starting quarterback Peyton Thompson with four minutes left in the first half. It took just 43 plays for Union to put up their season-high in points, while recording its first shutout of the season. At halftime, with Union leading 56-0, both coaches agreed to a running clock. The No. 8 Lions (3-3, 2-1) had lost this one before walking out of the locker room, there was no reason to continue the agony. “We came out flat,” Holder said. “When you come out flat against a good team like that, if you give them a little bit of space, they will take off. When he took that opening kickoff back, I was just like, 'Man, we're not feeling it.'” Coach Brad Hill took the blame. He was disappointed with the preparation. Moore had an extra day on Union, which was coming off an emotional 44-41 overtime win over No. 2 Owasso. It didn't put it to good use. “You've got to find a way as coaches to push the button, and to get guys fired up and ready to go,” Hill said. “I didn't do a good job of pushing the buttons. We didn't come out looking like we were trying to play the No. 1 team in the state.” The Redskins had plenty of motivation. They were without running back Keviyon Cooper, who was still in the hospital after suffering a head injury, undergoing brain surgery as reported by News9, last week. During the game, Cooper's sister, Kortney Holmes, tweeted that he is expected to be released from the hospital Sunday, the best news of the night for Union coach Kirk Fridrich. “He's close to our hearts, and our guys obviously wanted to play for him,” he said. “It's been tough, for me personally, and I know it has been hard for a lot of people. It's the best in what sports bring, because in adversity, guys pull together. It's amazing how so many people from different teams across the state have come together. To me, that shows a lot of positive things in high school sports.” Even without last week's top rusher, Union didn't have any difficulties. The Redskins scored on five plays on their first drive, four plays with their second, three plays on their third and just two on their fourth. Add in a 35-yard fumble return touchdown by Oklahoma commit safety Patrick Fields, and Union had the game under control before the end of the first quarter. Thompson finished 8 for 9 for 190 yards and three touchdowns. No Redskin had more than six touches, and receiver Avery Alverson had a team-high 79 receiving yards on two catches, both touchdowns. Moore's goal this season is playoffs, but maybe that sunk too far into the players' heads. Games against Mustang, Edmond North and Norman North will determine if the team can carve out a spot in District 6AI-2's top four. Nobody expected a win against Union, and the Lions weren't counting on it either. Still, As the final buzzer rang, one player shouted out, “Embarrasing!” Chances are Union makes a few teams feel that way, but Hill didn't want to be coaching one of them. “We were playing a really good team obviously, and we came out flat,” Hill said. “Union was really dialed in. They are a good team, and we weren't prepared.”

MOORE'S FLAT START LEADS TO 70-0 LOSS VERSUS UNION

Photo Credit: Kyle Phillips

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