Scene Setter: Jenks AT Union

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Jenks and Union. You don't need anything else to hype up this match-up but there are still storylines galore heading into the annual Backyard Bowl. First off you have a rematch of last year's 6A-1 title game. Then throw in the fact that Jenks is limping into this match-up with injuries everywhere on both sides of the ball. And finally, you have [player_tooltip player_id='188014' first='Shaker' last='Reisig']. The sophomore sensation quarterback led Jenks to a state title last year as a freshman after making his first career start (you guessed it) against Union. And now he's QB1 for the Redhawks heading into this massive title rematch. Both teams are 2-0 on the season but have looked very different from one another. Union has been absolutely dominant while the two-time champion Trojans have had back to back close games. But anyone who knows this rivalry knows, anything and everything could potentially happen on Friday night when it's Jenks and Union.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union came into the season as our #1 team in the 6A-1 preseason rankings, and they've backed up that preseason hype so far after two weeks. They dominated Westmoore in the season opener and then went on the road and beat up Broken Arrow in week one. The week one win over BA was really impressive from the standpoint of the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers had just put up nearly 50 points and totaled nearly 600 yards of offense the week before. Union held them to under 200 yards of offense and next to nothing on the ground. While Union's offense and some of the new starters had plenty of the headlines coming into the season, it's been the defense that has grabbed those same headlines after a couple weeks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of this match-up, Jenks does come limping into this match-up but there are signs that it's looking up. Last week against Owasso, Jenks was without four of their five starting offensive linemen, including their top guys in Memphis commit [player_tooltip player_id='370214' first='Landon' last='Zaldivar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='38806' first='Milton' last='White'], who is also a standout at defensive tackle. But head coach Keith Riggs believes three of the four injured linemen are getting closer to a return. One player who won't return is senior star [player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll'], who will sit out his final game of a two-game suspension following an ejection in week zero. The Trojans escaped with a close call over Edmond Santa Fe in week zero and then did the same in week one against Owasso. But in both weeks, the defense has been outstanding. The only touchdown given up last week was on a blocked punt as the defense pitched a shutout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we take a look at both teams and the players to watch in the match-up. But again, knowing the history of this game, we'll probably see a few more players emerge out of nowhere to have marquee performances on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>JENKS PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6319103c2c4a6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403811"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the more underrated players in the state is Jenks senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='403811' first='Cooper' last='Crissup']. Part of that is on us, we definitely should have had more coverage on Crissup in the past when you look at the production he's had. he's coming into this season as a three-year starter on a Jenks defense that has been lights out so far this season. And Crissup has been the leading tackler through the first two games of the season. While he's seen injuries to other key pieces at the linebacker group, Crissup has been one of the main constants on this Jenks defense. And he'll be a major key in what Jenks does this week against a Union offense that is incredibly balanced. Their running game has been outstanding so far this season and Crissup and the Jenks front seven will look to limit what they do in that category.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a7f1d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910552c4a7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["374628"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"If anyone has a chip on their shoulder coming into Friday's clash with Union, it's Jenks senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='374628' first='Ike' last='Owens']. How could you not after the last year? All Owens has heard about and read about over the last few months is the Reisig move to Union, a California star quarterback coming and going and much more. Through it all, Owens has kept his head down and gone to work and he is coming into Friday's game with plenty of confidence and he's going to need it. Owens and the Jenks offense are looking to find their groove, despite all the injuries and suspensions. It's a next man up mentality and Owens and the Trojan offense need to start clicking against a stout Union defense. The talent is there for them to make plays and Owens could get some reinforcements at the wide receiver position that would certainly help.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a7f57"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910682c4a8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["439256"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A lot of what we wrote about [player_tooltip player_id='403811' first='Cooper' last='Crissup'] can be followed up right here with Jenks' senior standout defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='439256' first='Jack' last='Standlee']. The defensive line was an area where we were interested to see how they would replace some of the key losses to graduation. Standlee is an experienced player with good size and is playing with a lot of momentum as they head into the Backyard Bowl with Union. He'll be going against a Union offensive line that is incredibly talented and experienced but he could be receiving some help at that position. One of the two-way players for Jenks that has been out with an injury could return on Friday night. Standlee and the Jenks defensive line will look to set the tone for Jenks defense that might come into this game as an underdog, but they're playing like anything but.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a7f82"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6319108b2c4a9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You can make the argument that the best overall player in Friday's match-up is Jenks senior standout and Houston commit [player_tooltip player_id='157457' first='Jalyn' last='Stanford']. The senior is headed to the next level as a safety prospect, where he's one of the top overall prospects in the state's 2023 class. On offense, Stanford is an absolutely electric running back when he's in the lineup. But the Trojan coaching staff is careful about how much they use Stanford on offense with how valuable he is on the defensive side of the ball. We expect to see Stanford get some looks on offense but it's what he does with them that will make a difference. Stanford is a gamechanging athlete and the Trojans could use that on the offensive side of the ball as they face Union's stout defense. But look for him to help the defense attempt to keep their dominance going.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a7fad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910a42c4aa","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["439153"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Out of the ten players with a spotlight on them in this breakdown, Jenks running back [player_tooltip player_id='439153' first='Jordan' last='Schelling'] is probably the most under the radar out of the bunch. Just a sophomore, Schelling was thrusted into the lineup last week against Owasso and he responded incredibly well. He would finish with over 100 yards and a touchdown in the win. Despite the injury problems along the offensive line, Schelling still managed to get the job done against an Owasso defense that has some talented players within the front seven. Schelling is facing a new challenger in Union, where the front seven and the defense overall is flat out dominant and they have some swagger heading into this week after shutting down Broken Arrow in week one. Schelling looks to become the next breakout star in Backyard Bowl history.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a7fd8"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>UNION PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910b82c4ab","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57208"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the bigger keys for Union coming into this match-up will be their play along the line of scrimmage. With Jenks' offensive line potentially having four of their five starters out again on Friday, that's bad news as they try to slow down a Union defensive line that is headlined by Vanderbilt commit and one of the top defensive linemen in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='57208' first='De'Marion' last='Thomas']. The Union standout led a Union front seven that was outstanding in week one against Broken Arrow and their rushing attack. Thomas is an absolute bull up front and if Jenks is still having injury problems and have to put new starters in, Thomas is a player that is very tough to game plan for. Regardless of the injuries, Thomas is still one of the top overall players in the match-up and should have a major impact on this game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a8008"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910e42c4ac","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["287383"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"While Union's front seven was dominant against Broken Arrow, the secondary wasn't too bad either. In fact, in the first couple weeks, the entire defensive unit for Union has been outstanding and they'll look to continue that momentum into week two against the rival Trojans. And another high caliber prospect on this Union defense is senior defensive back and Tulsa commit [player_tooltip player_id='287383' first='Devin' last='Robinson']. The senior standout has continued to get better and better over the last few seasons and he has emerged as one of the better defensive back prospects in the state's 2023 class. Robinson and the Union secondary will look to continue their dominating ways on Friday against a Jenks offense that is trying to get their passing game going. Robinson is definitely a name to watch this week and moving forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a8031"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631910fd2c4ad","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219073"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In the last two Backyard Bowls, Union has been shut out on both occasions. Odds are that the shutout streak won't continue on Friday, especially with a player of the caliber of Union senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='219073' first='DJ' last='McKinney']. Over the first two weeks, even throw in the scrimmage three weeks ago, McKinney has been arguably the best player within this Union offense. He's just as dangerous in the passing game as he is as a traditional running back. McKinney has proven that he has to be considered an u0022all purposeu0022 running back with the impact he has as a runner and a receiver. McKinney has gotten his senior season off to a fantastic start and his recruiting stock should be soaring up because of it. We expect to see McKinney make quite a few plays on Friday against a Jenks defense that has been stout so far.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a805e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631911122c4ae","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376092"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Union senior [player_tooltip player_id='376092' first='Grayson' last='Tempest'] has made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver look very easy so far after a couple weeks of games. In their first game against Westmoore, Tempest made quite the statement when he returned a Westmoore kick for a touchdown. He's also made plays from the wide receiver position. You have to tip your cap to a player like Tempest who is doing whatever he can to help his team win games. In the age of quarterbacks transferring and moving if they aren't the starter, Tempest has stuck it out with his squad and has proven he can still be valuable within this Redhawk offense. Whether it's as a wide receiver or in the return game, don't be surprised if the senior ends up making a big play on Friday as the Union offense looks to keep momentum going.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a8089"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631911262c4af","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["188014"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"And our final player to watch (we did this alphabetically, it's just ironic) is Union sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='188014' first='Shaker' last='Reisig']. By now, everyone knows the Reisig story unless this is the first article you're reading after being under a rock for the last six months. Reisig's transition to Union has appeared to be incredibly smooth and he's been very efficient within the Union offense over the first two weeks of the season. It certainly helps that he has McKinney in the backfield with him and several playmakers at the receiver spot. But Friday's game against Reisig's old team will certainly come with some emotions. Both sides are doing a great job of not addressing the massive storyline but at the end of the day these are high schoolers on the field, there could be some emotional moments on Friday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a58222a80b3"} /-->