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Experienced quarterbacks lead Union, Jenks
Originally posted August 31, 2012
Union vs. Jenks Varsity Football - Friday, August 31, 2012
7 p.m. at H.A. Chapman Stadium - University of Tulsa
Reserved tickets are $10.
General admission tickets are $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students
This is an away game for Union, therefore Union Employee ID’s, All-Sports Passes, and Gold Key Passes are not accepted at the gate. As the visiting team, Union fans will sit on the east side of the stadium
Experienced quarterbacks lead Union, Jenks into Backyard Bowl
BY BARRY LEWIS Tulsa World Sports Writer
(Reprinted with Permission. This is not an endorsement.)
For the first time since 2007, both Union and Jenks go into the MidFirst Backyard Bowl with quarterbacks who started the previous year when the teams met in the regular season.
That '07 matchup was one of the best games in the series and turned out to be a high scoring showdown that was eventually won by Union, 43-42, in overtime.
This year's Backyard Bowl has that potential with Hunter Atyia returning at quarterback for Union and Kyle Alexander for Jenks.
History shows that a year of experience as a Backyard Bowl starting QB can make a big difference. In 2006, Jenks won 9-6. A year later with Jenks' Mark Ginther and Union's Brandon Rogers returned as the starting quarterbacks. They directed plenty of offensive fireworks as the teams combined for 85 points.
Atyia completed 8-of-13 passes for 213 yards last year as he threw and ran for a TD in Union's 41-19 win. He expects to be better prepared on Friday.
"It's a huge help," Atyia said about having started last year's game. "All the pregame jitters will still be there, but it's not like it used to be. It helps a lot knowing how to command the team and lead them."
Alexander played better than his stat line from last year's game indicated - 8-of-19 for 109 yards and a TD - as several of his passes were dropped. Late in the game, he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Jenks coach Allan Trimble can see that Alexander has "made great steps" since last season.
"The biggest difference is physical," Trimble said. "He's gained 15 to 18 good pounds. He's a lot stronger and a little taller. ... He's throwing the ball better than he ever has.
"He's worked hard and with the type of injury he had, he spent a lot of time watching film and training his upper body."
Union coach Kirk Fridrich has been impressed by Alexander.
"I like the composure of their quarterback," Fridrich said. "Alexander does a great job of directing their offense. ... They seem to understand their offense and have their playbook open because he's able to handle several things."
Alexander is glad that the opener is here.
"I don't think you can ever be too ready," Alexander said. "But I've been looking forward to this since the last Union game last September when I went out with an injury."
All of the ingredients are there for an offensive explosion. Jenks returns University of Oklahoma commit Jordan Smallwood at receiver and 6A's second-leading rusher from 2011, Trey'Vonne Barr'e.
"Smallwood has been watching a lot of Justin Blackmon tape," Fridrich said. "He emulates him quite a bit. He's very strong when he goes up for the ball. He obviously has developed himself very well during the offseason. Trey'Vonne is one of those you'll be holding your breath on every snap."
Jenks' defense will face a Union receiving corps that includes University of Tulsa commits Chris Hall and Khalid Kornegay at receiver.
"Their speed and athleticism impresses me," Atyia said about Jenks' defense. "They have athletes all around. They fly to the ball. It's going to be a good game. They have Trey'Vonne playing both ways and he can do it all."
And of course there are the unexpected plays that can light up the scoreboard such as last year's gamechanging 100-yard interception return late in the first half by Union's Kyle Crutchmer, who scored his first career TD.
"In the Backyard Bowl, big plays are going to happen," Union senior linebacker David Todd said.
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MIDFIRST BACKYARD BOWL
Union vs. Jenks
At Chapman Stadium 7:05 p.m. Friday
TV: Cox-3
Radio: KYAL fm97.1, KTBZ am1430
The Backyard Bowl between Union and Jenks will be shown on television, radio and the scores will be updated live on MaxPreps. The game will be at 7 p.m. Friday, August 31, at the University of Tulsa.
The game will be shown on Cox Channel 3 and 703 (HI-Def) and broadcast on KTBZ am1430 (Jenks); and KYAL fm97.1 (Union). Cox will rebroadcast the game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 1.
In addition, Union volleyball coach Darin Thompson will give updates and scores as they happen for Friday's game online through Maxpreps here: http://soc.li/ahecfug.
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