Union erased a 24-point deficit and beat previously undefeated Yukon 49-45 on Friday, Oct. 9, at Union-Tuttle Stadium.
The Redhawks trailed 45-21 with 6:51 left in the third quarter. They scored 28 unanswered points to close the game. Yukon, ranked No. 4 by the Tulsa World, entered the game unbeaten at 6-0.
Union completed the comeback without head coach Antonio Graham, who was ejected at halftime, Touchdown Friday Night reported.
Quarterback Dylan Taylor threw a career-high five touchdown passes. Tristian Birmingham scored four touchdowns, three receiving and one on a 27-yard reverse run that started the comeback with 5:06 left in the third quarter.
Birmingham’s second touchdown of the comeback came on a leaping 26-yard catch from Taylor with 3:04 remaining in the third. He then threw a two-point conversion pass to Luke Wood on a reverse pitch, cutting Yukon's lead to 45-36.
Early in the fourth quarter, Reyon Williams capped an 89-yard, 13-play drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. Union trailed 45-43 with 7:02 left.
Then the defense took over.
Dasean Jordan intercepted Yukon quarterback Zealand Danielson and returned the ball from the Union 19-yard line to the Yukon 41. Taylor finished the drive with a fade pass to Adrian Moton in the end zone, giving Union a 49-45 lead with 1:55 remaining.
Yukon had one last chance. Ian Castellanos pressured Danielson, forcing a pass straight into the air. Kamron McCoy made a diving interception to seal it.
The Millers fell to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in District 6A-I-2. Union improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in district play, winners of two straight after an 0-4 start.
Union travels to Moore on Thursday, Oct. 15. Yukon hosts Owasso, a team the Millers have never beaten in seven previous meetings.
