By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
It is the rivalry that needs no introduction.
When Tulsa Union and Jenks convene, it is a momentous occasion. A loss will not break their seasons, but a victory can spearhead the winner onto bigger and better things.
If you want a sniff at the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship, you likely will have to go through these Sooner State juggernauts to get it. The neighbors have combined to win the last 12 state championships in Oklahoma’s large-school division.
On Friday night, the MidFirst Backyard Bowl moves away from its customary backdrop of Chapman Stadium on the campus of the University of Tulsa. Due to renovations, 12,000 amped up fans will need to cram into Union-Tuttle Stadium to catch a glimpse.
In the history of this great rivalry, meetings between Union and Jenks have taken more twists and turns than even the best screenwriters couldn’t script.
In the 2007 version of the Backyard Bowl, heavily-favored Jenks and a Union program that was tabbed to rebuild following a tumultuous 2006 went down to the wire for an epic ending. The teams combined for 43 fourth quarter points.
With 17 second remaining in regulation, Union quarterback Brandon Rogers hit Tracy Moore on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Tress Way drilled the extra-point to tie the score at 36, forcing overtime.
Jenks took the ball first in overtime and faced a fourth down play with its backs against the wall. Quarterback Mark Ginther displayed ice in his veins and struck Dallas Beeler on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Union’s Caleb Pearson made a huge play, blocking the extra-point attempt which left the score at 42-36 in favor of the Trojans.
Union took over possession and scored when Jeremy Smith crossed the goal line on a 5-yard touchdown run. Way booted the point after through the uprights to send Union fans into celebratory mode after a 43-42 victory. Jenks, however, would get the last laugh with a 42-24 victory in the state championship game on the same turf.
Last week, Union shockingly dropped a 24-9 decision at Broken Arrow in its first game of the 2008 season. Smith, one of the top running backs in the country and an Oklahoma State verbal, was stymied by Broken Arrow’s defense. Smith was held to 92 yards on 22 carries by the Tigers.
Union has a new quarterback in 2008. Head coach Kirk Fridrich tabbed junior Chase Boyce to lead the Redskins this season. In the loss to Broken Arrow, Boyce threw for 144 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off twice. Moore is the leading receiver for the Redskins, posting seven grabs for 71 yards and a touchdown last week. Anthony Foster is also a speedy threat in the passing game for Union.
Defensively for Union, Randy Stanley, Terrell Williams, and Daniel Hausher lead one of the top secondaries in the entire state.
Jenks is undergoing offensive transformation with its new quarterback, Bixby transfer Zac Horn. In a 44-7 season-opening victory over his former school, Horn threw for 128 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans.
Running backs Colton Dost and Grant Goodwin combined for 155 yards on 24 carries last week. Dost, a junior, rushed for four touchdowns against Bixby. Tyler Ott caught Horn’s touchdown strike, while Tramaine Thompson returns after having a huge game in the 2007 Backyard Bowl.
On defense, DJ Lyles and Jason Bixler both were among the leading tacklers last week. Boyce will have to know where All-American cornerback Gabe Lynn is lined up. Lynn is considered one of the top defensive back prospects in the country.
Jenks (1-0) at Tulsa Union (0-1)
2008 MidFirst Backyard Bowl
Where: Union-Tuttle Stadium, Tulsa
When: Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Television: Cox (Oklahoma)
Radio:
Tulsa Union- KRMG
Jenks- Kool 106.1 FM
Tickets: As of Thursday morning, 500 adult tickets remained for $10.
Weather: 60 percent chance of thunderstorms, low 72 degrees.
Week 2 Primer
Tulsa Union versus Jenks isn’t the only show in town. A plethora of pivotal matchups will take place all over Oklahoma in Week 2 of the high school football season. Here is a taste of this weekend’s action:
6A
No. 1 Norman North (1-0) at No. 6 Muskogee (1-0)
Norman North has lost four straight games to Muskogee, including a heartbreaking 19-18 loss in the 6A quarterfinals last season. Norman North rolled to a 58-0 victory over rival Norman last week, while Muskogee won its opener in dramatic-fashion by kicking a late field goal to beat Owasso, 17-16.
No. 7 Owasso (0-1) at No. 3 Broken Arrow (1-0)
Owasso squandered a 16-0 lead last week before losing to Muskogee, 17-16. Broken Arrow raised some eyebrows with its 24-9 victory over Tulsa Union, its first victory over the Redskins after losing 22 straight.
Westmoore (1-0) vs. Southmoore (0-1)
Westmoore and Moore have the Moore War. Now, Westmoore and Southmoore have the South-West Showdown. Westmoore drilled Moore last week 34-12, while Southmoore took Edmond Memorial to the brink last weekend in its first-ever game, losing 14-7.
5A
No. 2 Tulsa Washington (1-0) at No. 5 Tulsa East Central (1-0)
A battle for Tulsa Public School bragging rights. And more importantly, a battle to help one of these teams jockey for position in the 5A race. Washington moved down from 6A before the season and walloped Carl Albert 40-7 last week. East Central had a typical day at the office in a 57-0 demolition of Tulsa Hale.
4A
Bixby (0-1) at No. 1 Glenpool (1-0)
Last season Glenpool gave Bixby all it could handle before falling, 3-0. Both teams will be in the thick of its respective titles races right down to the end. Glenpool is hoping junior running back Marco Nelson is healthy, which is nearly mandatory to crack Bixby’s vaunted defense.
5A No. 8 Bishop Kelley (1-0) at No. 2 Bishop McGuinness (0-1)
Last week, Bishop McGuinness saw its 28-game winning-streak end at the hands of 5A No. 1 Guthrie. Bishop Kelley has the talent to beat the Fighting Irish on its own turf. Last season, McGuinness won 25-13 which was by far its toughest battle of the regular season.
2A No. 4 Millwood (1-0) vs. No. 6 Douglass (1-0)
On Saturday, it’s the Soul Bowl feature these two Oklahoma City powers. Millwood is hoping to bounce back from a rare 4-6 season which resulted in the Falcons missing the playoffs. Douglass went from 1-9 in 2006 to 6-4 last season and entered the 2008 season looking to make a push deep in the state playoffs.
No. 4 Wagoner (1-0) at No. 7 Grove (1-0)
Former district rivals tangle in an early season test. Last season, Grove fell to Wagoner 28-21. Wagoner is led by Oklahoma verbal Gus Jones, a threat on offense as a running back and an All-State linebacker. Grove’s Corey Davenport moved to quarterback this season and is a viable threat. Dusty Gehrke could be All-State at either wide receiver or defensive back for the Ridgerunners.
Class 2A No. 3 Heritage Hall (1-0) at Weatherford (0-1)
An interesting battle on paper. Heritage Hall is loaded with talent on both sides of the football, led by quarterback/defensive back Turner Peterson. Despite an impressive season-opening win over Casady, Weatherford is no easy task. Weatherford has junior Kale Sawatzky, one of the top players in the Class of 2010. Weatherford will not be pleased after getting thumped by rival Clinton to open the season, allowing over 300 rushing yards to junior Delans Griffin.
3A
2A No. 2 Kingfisher at No. 3 Tuttle
Tulsa NOAH at No. 5 Metro Christian
2A
No. 5 Prague at No. 6 Davis
Shiloh Christian (Ark.) at No. 1 Lincoln Christian
1A
No. 7 Pawnee at No. 8 Hominy
No. 3 Woodland at No. 2 Tonkawa
