RivalsHigh 100 Week Two Update | Top Ten High School Rivalries | High School Network

Steve Brawner
Special to Rivals High

The only question: Which game?

The schools, which have combined to win the past 13 Oklahoma 6A state championships, will meet Friday night in Tulsa's HA Chapman Stadium before an expected crowd of 25,000 for their annual Backyard Bowl.

The matchup is this week's Rivals.com Game of the Week. And it may be a precursor to a second game as the teams have met in the state playoffs in three of the past five seasons.

Union, ranked No. 19 in the RivalsHigh 100, beat No. 41 Jenks twice last season, including a 34-20 victory in the Backyard Bowl.

In 2007-08, Union beat Jenks in the Bowl but lost when they met up again in the playoffs.

This year's Bowl figures to be a toss-up. Both schools are coming off impressive opening-week victories.

Union defeated Broken Arrow, 17-6, behind quarterback Chase Boyce, who was 14-for-17 for 230 yards and two TDs.

Union coach Kirk Fridrich said it was a typical performance for Boyce, who passed for 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns last year.

Though he doesn't appear on Rivals' list of top prospects, Fridrich said Boyce is a top-flight QB because he doesn't turn the ball over and causes problems for defenses when he's pressured. "He is a solid leader and throws a prettier pass than just about anybody I've ever coached," he said.

Boyce will lead a balanced attack that includes three tailbacks who could start for most teams: junior Jalen Hearron, senior Colton Dost, a downhill runner who rushed for 1,000 yards for Jenks last year, and scatback Jarred Davis. His receivers include Tulsa commits Thomas Roberson, a two-star wide receiver ranked by Rivals as the 33rd best player in the state, and tight end Deonte Morris, a two-star tight end Rivals calls the state's 35th best player.

The line is led by center Alec Henry, a two-star recruit ranked by Rivals as the state's 39th best player, and Dalton Duckett. The defense is anchored by linebacker Bobby Lind, strong safety Luke Snider, and defensive lineman Michael Peterson. James Roberson, who played wide receiver last year, has been moved to free safety.

Jenks steamrolled Bixby, 47-6, in its opener; a performance marred only by four turnovers.

Jenks is led by junior quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen, who passed for 1,464 yards and 11 touchdowns in just eight games as a starter last season as a sophomore. He'll be handing the ball to versatile tailback Cory Jones, who averaged 7.9 yards per carry last year. Tight end Tyler Ott, a Tulsa commit, is the only receiver with significant playing experience.

The offense's real strength is its line, which is anchored by center Jake Alexander, a three-star Tulsa commit who squats 630 pounds and is ranked by Rivals as the 10th best center in the country, and Bob Graham, a two-star offensive tackle ranked by Rivals as the 34th best player in the state. "More than anything offensively, you've got to stop their offensive line," Fridrich said.

The defense has only three returning starters - lineman David Lore, linebacker Hunter Johnson and defensive back Stephen Brown - but senior cornerback Devin Pugh is a major college prospect.

GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 19 Union Redskins vs No. 41 Jenks Trojans
KEY TO THE GAME: Union Redskins
Union	Quarterback Chase Boyce needs to continue playing mistake-free football; otherwise, the Trojans, who put up 47 points last week, will make Union pay. The defense will have to make its way through Jenks' powerful offensive line to get to quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen and tailback Cory Jones.
KEY TO THE GAME: Jenks Trojans
Jenks	The defense, which has only three returning starters, must stop three tailbacks, including one, Colton Dost, who was a teammate last year. The inexperienced receiving corps must show its maturity early. The offensive line, led by center Jake Alexander, needs to control the line of scrimmage.
Note: Big game performance
Union has won the last two Backyard Bowls and defeated Jenks in the state championship last year, though Jenks did beat Union in the 2007 state championship game. Will Jenks have extra motivation for revenge, or will Union have more confidence because of its recent success?
RivalsHigh Game of the Week Prediction. 2009 record (2-1)
Jenks has the bulk up front which should give them an early advantage in the game. However, the inexperience on defense is of concern for the Trojans. We think that Union is deeper and more experienced and has the edge in this game. Union 30, Jenks 23.