By Scott Hansen

MaxPreps.com

For years, Muskogee has been nipping at the heels of its arch nemesis in Jenks and Tulsa Union. Last year, the Roughers got past the Tulsa Union hurdle, beating it twice. Jenks, however, is a different matter. Friday night at Muskogee's Indian Bowl, the Roughers will get a chance to clear yet another hurdle in their chase to catch the Oklahoma superpowers.

For Muskogee to officially arrive to claim a spot amongst the Tulsa-area elite, a victory over Jenks could be just what it needs. Jenks and Tulsa Union have combined to win every Class 6A state title since 1996.

Last season, Muskogee was the favorite to win its first state title since 1986. Injuries mounted, the team's best offensive threat was forced to move to quarterback for a short time, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Muskogee fell in the Class 6A state semifinals to the Trojans, 52-35. Jenks eventually went on to claim its 11th state championship.

The Roughers defense didn't have an answer for Chris Adkins in the semifinals. Adkins shredded Muskogee for 202 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Mark Ginther threw for three touchdowns, two of them to Dallas Beeler. Unfortunately for the Roughers, they will have to contend with Adkins, Ginther, and Beeler once again as all three lead the way for the defending champions.

All Eyes on Owens

If you want to look for a potential match-up problem for Jenks, look no further than All-American candidate Jameel Owens. In the semifinal loss last season, Owens was dazzling. Owens had only three catches, but had 127 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In the second quarter, Owens latched on to a Rell Lewis pass and took it 92 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 14-14.

Owens also completed 4-of-5 passes for 105 yards. While Muskogee was hamstrung due to injuries, it was Owens who was called upon to play quarterback. This season, Owens serves as the punter, punt returner, and defensive back when needed. Owens averages 37.4 yards per punt, 18.9 per punt return, and has an interception this season. According to CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, Owens is ranked as the 26th best overall player in America.

This season over five games, Owens has posted respectable numbers. The 6-4, 215-pound standout has 27 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns. In a massive 36-27 victory over Norman North, Owens had 13 receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown. In a 57-6 victory over Tahlequah, Owens exploded for 221 yards on five receptions. A 99-yard touchdown reception was one of his two scores on the evening.

In a 26-11 loss to Tulsa Union, Owens was held to one reception for 25 yards. If he has that sort of production against Jenks, the Roughers could be in big trouble.

Ginther on the Mark

He might not be listed among the best quarterbacks in the country, but Ginther doesn't mind. The 6-3, 190-pound signal-caller is headed to Oklahoma State on a baseball scholarship. That, also, might be in question. Ginther is good enough at baseball to receive a possible early-round call in the Major League Baseball draft.

Ginther is a big-time quarterback talent. This season through five games, Ginther has completed a remarkable 77.2 percent of his passing attempts. Ginther has thrown for 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns. What might be most startling about Ginther's performances, he has yet to throw an interception this season.

Ginther was named second-team All-State by both the Oklahoman and Tulsa World as a junior after throwing for 2,140 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Adkins Continues to Quietly Pile-up Yardage

Adkins continues to be a key component in Jenks' offensive arsenal. When the chips are down and clutch plays need to be made, Trimble calls on Adkins to pull the Trojans through. In four playoff games last season, Adkins rushed for 694 yards.

In a 43-42 overtime loss to Tulsa Union on Sept. 8, Adkins put in another workmanlike performance. Adkins rushed for 205 yards in one of the best game's ever played in the 100 years of high school football in Oklahoma. With 1:37 remaining, Adkins shook off three Union defenders and went 62 yards for a touchdown to tie the epic contest at 36 apiece.

So far in the 4-1 start for the Trojans, Adkins has rushed for 654 yards and 11 touchdowns despite the 5-9, 180-pound senior only playing an average of three quarters.

As a junior, Adkins rushed for 1,328 yards and 11 touchdowns. Yet, the All-State teams left Adkins off of the list in favor of more highly-recruited players. Adkins has two scholarship offers from Air Force and Tulsa thus far.

Getting Defensive: Gillespie and McGee

Two of the top recruited defensive tackles in the nation will be on display at the Indian Bowl. Jenks' Tony Gillespie and Muskogee's Stacy McGee will have the challenge of attempting to disrupt the running game of the opposition.

Gillespie originally committed to Oklahoma State, but weeks later backed out to look at other schools. Gillespie has been offered by OSU, Arkansas, Kansas State, and Central Florida. Florida State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are closely monitoring his progress. Gillespie is a shade under 300-pounds and can dominate a game with little or no warning.

McGee is a little undersized by Division I standards at the moment, but is ranked higher on most recruiting lists than Gillespie. The 255-pound McGee is being courted for his pass rushing skills by Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, and Texas Tech. Lemming ranks McGee is the 12th top defensive tackle in the nation.

Other Things to Watch

The terminology maybe a little old school, but Jenks has its own version of the `Three Amigos' at wide receiver (the nickname of the Denver Broncos receivers from 1987-1992). Senior Dallas Beeler leads the team with 23 receptions and is second with 346 yards. Senior Alonzo Adams has 19 grabs this season for a team-leading 391 yards. Junior Tramaine Thompson has 183 receiving yards on 12 catches. All three receivers have three touchdown receptions this season.

Other than Owens, Muskogee has a pair of receivers that are lightning fast and can potentially change the complexion of any game. Shjuan Richardson has had three of his 18 catches go for touchdowns. Andre Anderson has two scoring grabs on 22 receptions this season for the Roughers.

Muskogee quarterback Trae Cook transferred from Tahlequah over the summer and has paid dividends for the Roughers. Cook has thrown for 1,166 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cook also has two rushing touchdowns to his credit this season.

Muskogee linebackers Eric Howell and Travon Brooks are arguably the best combination at their respective position in Class 6A and lead the Legion of Doom defense. The two have combined for 82 tackles and four sacks this season.

Final Word

Legend has it, you have not seen a high school game in Oklahoma until you see one at Muskogee's Indian Bowl. It appears Jenks and Muskogee have both shook off their losses to Tulsa Union in emphatic fashion. This contest might not have the same attention and buzz as the Backyard Bowl between Jenks and Tulsa Union, but it might be just as crucial to determine the pecking order in Class 6A.

Jenks Trojans (4-1)

Head Coach: Allan Trimble

Website: www.jenkstrojanfootball.com

2007 Results

Defeated Bixby, 27-3

Lost to Tulsa Union, 43-42 (OT)

Defeated Broken Arrow, 48-21

Defeated Tulsa Washington, 69-0

Defeated Owasso, 48-6

Top Players

Mark Ginther-QB: 78-101 passing (77.2%), 1152 yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs

Chris Adkins- RB: 90 carries, 654 yards, 11 TDs

Grant Goodwin-FB: 38 carries, 246 yards, 5 TDs

Alonzo Adams- WR: 19 receptions, 391 yards, 3 TDs

Dallas Beeler-WR: 23 receptions, 346 yards, 3 TDs

Tramaine Thompson-WR: 12 receptions, 183 yards, 3 TDs

Zach Bertelli- LB: 42 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Daniel Harp- DL: 22 tackles, 5 sacks

Tony Gillespie- DT: 20 tackles, 1 sack

D.J. Lyles- DE: 29 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Gabe Lynn- DB: 13 tackles, 1 interception

Muskogee Roughers (4-1)

Head Coach: Matt Hennesy

Website: http://www.rougherfootball.com/home.htm

2007 Results

Defeated Broken Arrow, 28-16

Defeated Norman North, 36-27

Lost to Tulsa Union, 26-11

Defeated Tahlequah, 57-6

Defeated Bartlesville, 48-13

Top Players

Trae Cook- QB: 90-165 passing (54.5%), 1166 yards, 12 TDs, 3 INTs (2 rushing TDs)

Vernon Scott- RB: 36 carries, 223 yards, 4 TDs

Jameel Owens- WR: 27 receptions, 547 yards, 4 TDs

Shjuan Richardson- WR: 18 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TDs

Andre Anderson- WR: 22 receptions, 166 yards, 2 TDs

Colton Archer- DE: 50 tackles, 4 sacks

Eric Howell- LB: 49 tackles, 1 sack

Travon Brooks- LB: 33 tackles, 3 sacks

Stacy McGee- DT: 23 tackles, 1 sack

Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net