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Monday, October 1, 2007
Backyard Bowl Doesn’t Disappoint
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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By now you’ve heard all about it. The annual clash of the Titans at Chapman Stadium, featuring the two best teams in Oklahoma for more than a decade, Jenks and Union. With all the hype surrounding the game one can wonder how in the world do they continue to produce classic match-ups year after year? Think back to 1999 when Union’s Jay Felker made a diving catch in overtime to pull out the victory, or Kejuan Jones’s 80-yard touchdown that left one side of the stadium in shock and the other in chaos. In more recent memory Jake Strain came in for the injured sophomore Mark Ginther and saved the day with a touchdown pass late to seal a win, but surely they couldn’t match those games. They were all instant classic and some of the best football this state has ever seen.
Well, they did. And by some standards they surpassed any and all expectations. The back and forth battle came down to special teams in the end and Union’s kicker, Tress Way was solid. In front of more than 20,000 fans, the future Sooner knocked in an extra point in overtime to win the game 43-42.
For Jenks, quarterback Mark Ginther threw for 279 yards and four touchdown passes while Union’s Brandon Rogers had 176 yards passing and three touchdowns in the air. Rogers also ran the ball for a score.
The fourth quarter saw both teams put up a combined 43 points with Jenks scoring 16 and Union scoring an amazing 27 points.
Union’s running back Jeremy Smith was electric with 162 yards on 22 carries. His touchdown run in overtime tied the game at 42, then the guy who started all of the scoring in the first quarter with a 47 yard field goal, came in to kick the extra point and nailed it.
After the game both teams were spent. The energy from Union was pure enjoyment and relief that it was over. Both teams migrated to the center of the field, amazed at the performance of both teams. One coach from Jenks said, “If you don’t think this is the best rivalry in the country then you need your head examined.”
The Broken Arrow Tigers have gotten off to a bumpy start with an 0-3 non-district start, but expect to see the Tigers in contention come playoff time. Through three games quarterback Cale Fulps has passed for 397 yards and three touchdowns. The schedule gets a little easier as they enter district play and should via for that second spot.
The Owasso Rams are looking to build on a big win over Broken Arrow and a shut-out win over Claremore. Quarterback Mike Shouse has played exceptionally well as the new starter and Jaquess Washington is averaging over four yards per carry.
Charles Page High School receiver Shane Devers is sitting at the top of the 6A receivers with more than 300 yards receiving and three touchdowns after three games.
In Class 5A the East Central Cardinals are off to a 3-0 start heading into district play. David Gordon has been the scoring machine everyone was hoping for and the defense is giving coach Travis Hill solid play. The first two victories were over 6A opponents with the third being a strong win over Broken Bow.
McLain has one of the best pure athletes in the state in the form of Shawn Jackson. His week one performance was one to remember rushing for 166 yards, four touchdowns, two two-point conversions, he completed 8-of-11 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and if that wasn’t enough he added seven tackles, a punt return for 25 yards and an interception for a touchdown beating Central 56-6.
Skiatook might have dropped two of the first three games, but they’ve showed a lot of promise and toughness. Punt returner Drake Keys leads the state in return average after three games with 47.0 yards per return. Running back Jared Rhodes is averaging more than six yards per carry and has scored two touchdowns through three games.
Claremore Sequoyah has wasted no time getting off to a great start. Quarterback Cody Richardson has scored five touchdowns through three games and rushed for more than 200 yards.
Other teams in Class 3A making waves include Metro Christian, Vinita and Inola.
Class 2A powerhouse Cascia Hall and running back Denny Clement have the Commandos off to a 3-0 start.
Adair’s quarterback Kenny Davis has four touchdowns after the third game of the season and is looking to guide his team through district play and make it to the post season.
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