15 Years of the Greatest Rivalry in the Nation

Over the past 15 years, the Jenks-Union rivalry has grown into an anomaly that is so tough for those not involved to understand. There is almost like an OU-Texas feeling among the Union and Jenks supporters. Nothing compares to it. So many players have gone on to leave their mark in college football. So many have also gone on to play in the NFL. Coaches who have coached in the rivalry have gone on to seek full-time head coaching positions else where. Some coaches have now gone on to the college ranks. The rivalry started to heat up in 1994 with a game for the ages between a Richie Calmus-led Trojan side taking on perhaps one of the best Union quarterbacks ever, Justin Fuente. Jenks outlasted the Redskins 37-30. The game itself was reason enough to admit that the rivalry had been enhanced, but following the game, Jenks supporters stormed the field and tore down one of the Union goalposts. Needless to say this event was a catapult for the ever-developing rivalry of the two schools. The event is rarely talked about but if you ask any Union supporter, they will tell you that the course of action prompted a serious dislike for Jenks. Since the incident, the rivalry has grown into something that is unquestionably emmaculate. Over the past 15 years, the two schools have developed serious respect and admiration for one another. If you ask players today, they will tell you that if they do not have the opportunity to win the state title, then they will root for one another. It is almost like a brother-relationship. You know, almost like you are the only one who is allowed to beat up on your brother. Nobody else is. Over the past 12 years, nobody outside of Union and Jenks has won the state title in Oklahoma's largest class. Jenks has taken nine while Union has won three. And out of those 12 title games, the two schools have played each other six times, Jenks winning five of those contests. With the talent that returns on the Union Roster in 2008, this season may be one for the Redskins.