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Class 6A playoff preview
November 5, 2007
Class 6A playoff preview
by: BARRY LEWIS Tulsa World Sports Writer
(Reprinted with Permission. This is not an endorsement.)
2006 CHAMPION
Jenks, which has won eight of the last 11 6A state titles, has only lost once -- to Union in overtime, 43-42, in Week Two. The Trojans set their team regular-season record with 482 points. Senior quarterback Mark Ginther is 6A's leading passer with 2,265 yards, 24 TDs and only four interceptions. Since the loss to Union, Jenks has won eight straight and outscored its opponents by an average of 52-11.
TEAM TO BEAT
Undefeated Union is looking for its fourth state championship in six years. The Redskins' only win of less than 15 points was against Jenks. Senior quarterback Brandon Rogers has passed for 1,749 yards and 19 TDs. Union's offense has received a boost with the return of wideout Tracy Moore, who missed five games with a leg injury. On defense, the Redskins haven't allowed more than one TD in any of their last five games and have outscored their opponents by an average of 42-5.
SLEEPER
Midwest City, without much fanfare, is 10-0 and will host a home playoff game for the first time since 2001. The Bombers have a high-octane offense led by tailback Tim Flanders. But their defense hadn't played up to state-title standards until Friday's 14-7 showdown win over Putnam City. The last time a team besides Jenks or Union won the large-school championship, it was Midwest City, in 1994 and 1995. Jenks won in 1993, meaning that three schools -- Jenks, Union and Midwest City -- have won the past 14 titles in the state's large-school classification.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Union's Jeremy Smith, Jenks' Chris Adkins and Owasso's Jacques Washington are tailbacks who can carry a team deep into the playoffs. Adkins helped power Jenks to last year's state title. Muskogee wideout Jameel Owens and defensive lineman Stacy McGee are the state's two most heavily recruited players. Along with quarterback Trae Cook (2,200 passing yards, 26 TDs), they make the Roughers dangerous. Washington's John Williams is the state's top offensive lineman.
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Owasso at Broken Arrow. A rematch of Owasso's 17-14 comeback overtime win in Week Two. Since then, Owasso's Jacques Washington and Broken Arrow's Jerrod Green have developed into top-quality tailbacks.
LOOKING AHEAD
It would be a major surprise if there wasn't a Jenks-Union rematch in the championship game on Nov. 30 or Dec. 1. But they haven't met in the playoffs since Union's 27-17 win in the 2004 final.
PREDICTED STATE FINAL
Jenks 28, Union 27
(We at Union, of course, respectfully disagree with the Tulsa World. After all, the Tulsa World predicted Jenks would win last time too. Union won that game 43-42.)
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