Santa Fe earns first state title game berth since 2003
O WAS SO—When Talyn Shettron saw Tulsa Union's receiver break on his route, he knew what was coming.
Edmond Santa Fe' s standout junior receiver was lined up at corner with his back at the goal line. Union had a third down when quarterback Grayson Tempest dropped back to pass and looked to his left.
Union's receiver broke on aslant route, but Shettron made his break to cut off the route. Tempest threw the ball directly into the receiver's hands, but Shettron stole away his second interception of the fourth quarter.
No. 4 Santa Fe topped No .3 Union 21-14 on Saturday in the Class 6 A-I semifinals at O was so High School. The Wolves scored 21 points in the first 13 minutes t hen held on with their defense to advance to the state championship game for the first ti me since 2003, where they will face Jenks at 1 p.m. Saturday at UCO's Wantland Stadium.
“(The receiver) caught it, but I just took it away from him ,” Sh et tr on said of his clinching interception. “I tried to go score, but I just had to get
down.” Santa Fe (10-2 overall) is the first West team in Class 6A- I to make the state championship game since Norman North in 2016.
Shettron's first interception came early in the fourth quarter. Tempest threw a deep pass, and Shettron snagged it as if he was the receiver. He only had two catches for 28 yards, but his defense was pivotal.
Santa Fe's first interception came after Gavin Du verger hauled in an overthrown pass. Four plays later, Angelo Rankin Jr. caught a 3-yard touchdown pass on a fade route to give Santa Fe the lead.
“When we start f rom the first play, we feel unstoppable because we're just going to keep rolling,” Rankin said.
On the next possession, Rankin intercepted another Union pass and scored on a 14-yard run. Santa Fe then forced a Union three-and-out, and the next possession Tabry Shettron caught an 11- yard pass from Scott Pfieffer to put Santa Fe up 21-0 after the first play of the second quarter.
Union (6-5) scored on the final play of the first half whenRo vaughn Banks dove into the end zone from 2 yards out. Its final touchdown came with 5:20 left in the game, when star running back AJ Green scored on a 3-yard run to cap an 11- play, 88-yard drive.
Although Santa Fe' s offense wasn't able to score after going up early, coach Kyle White said he was impressed with how they moved the ball, were able to flip field position and control the clock.
The defense was al so able to slow Green, who had 27 carries for 108 yards. It came up with four interceptions and didn't allow any big plays.
Santa Fe and Jen ks didn't play in the regular season because of COVID issues at Jen ks, but the two will get their chance to battle for supremacy with a lot more than a district title on the line.
“I love playing Jenks,” White said .“In my opinion, we have a healthy rival ry. They may not look at it as a rivalry. We respect each other. They' re typically good games, physical games.
“We get to play in the state championship. It's going to be a fun week.”