Jenks (Okla.), Union (Tulsa) ready for Backyard Bowl

Meeting in the 40th annual Backyard Bowl, Jenks and Union renew their heated rivalry Friday night at Tulsa's Chapman Stadium. Vic Kidwell

Just when Union (Tulsa, Okla.) athletic director Steve Dunlap thought he had seen it all in the rivalry between his school and the Jenks (Okla.) Trojans, a Jenks student streaked across the field during the fourth quarter of last year's tense game like a quarterback running an extended naked bootleg.

"It was a close game and we're looking to score. All of a sudden you see a student streak across the field," says Dunlap, who is in his fifth year at Union. "There's always something new at the game."

For this year's installment of the Backyard Bowl, which has outgrown both school's home stadiums and is played at the University of Tulsa's Chapman Stadium (capacity: 35,542), rumor had it that an F-16 fighter jet is scheduled to streak through the sky above Chapman Stadium. Union officials confirmed that "no such flyover will take place at a high school game," but that doesn't mean the pomp and circumstance will be any less than pure pageantry.

More than 30,000 fans are expected for the 40th annual showdown. For those who cannot attend the game in person, NFL Films has been shooting both schools and will air an hour-long production special on the NFL Network Oct. 18.

What the camera will capture, are the pom-pom squads and dance teams from both schools, in addition to Union's high-steppers which serve as a Rockette-like entertainment. Face-painted students wearing rivalry T-shirts will be spread throughout the grounds. Oh yes, and the players are about ready to compete on the field. "Everyone's just trying to get a ticket," says Union quarterback Brandon Rogers. "I don't know what time ticket booths open, but there will be lines stretching out around the stadium. We'll pull in on busses and thousands of people will be there."

Jenks, which has won four of the last five meetings, will be favored on Friday night. Of the last 10 class 6A titles, the Oklahoma state champion has been one of the two schools. Jenks senior quarterback Mark Ginther, who will play baseball next year at Oklahoma State, will lead the Trojans, but it is in the backfield where explosive back Chris Adkins lines up that will be most important for the Redskins to stop. "Every year we see top players come in and the fans appreciate that," says Dunlap. "We just hope we can be on the winning side this year."

Perhaps practicing diplomacy or trying to set an example for the students, Dunlap says there is a mutual respect between the schools. On the field, though, there's no love lost between the teams. "It's not just a regular rivalry," says Rogers. "We're going to come out and try to show everyone that we didn't disappoint last year. We're always looking ahead."

The winner takes home the Backyard Bowl title, but the ultimate grudge match could continue into December when another state title is handed out. "That may be the best part of the rivalry," says Dunlap. "Both schools get a shot in September, but the December bragging rights mean state titles."