6A-1 State Title Game: Top Moments

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> While the Backyard Bowl has continued as a September rivalry, there’s been a gap since the two bullies of the 1990s and 2000s met with the Gold Bowl on the line. In 2014 Jenks claimed a 21-14 win over Union. Since then both schools have claimed Gold Balls and battled other foes in the 6A-1 title game, but this past Saturday the teams renewed their Gold Ball feud. It was a big game from the start, and let’s take a look at the moments that defined the game. <strong>Redhawks soar in the first quarter</strong> It was the first time for the "Redhawks" to play in the football state title game with the recent name change. They opened it with a bang. On the game’s opening play from scrimmage, Union quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="38703" first="Rovaughn" last="Banks"] would uncork a perfect 80-yard touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id="38694" first="Makhai" last="Belt"], who beat his man on the double move to make the catch and sprint down the Union sideline. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, Union was up and would not be shut out for the third straight game against the Trojans. They continued their hot shot when [player_tooltip player_id="67773" first="Jamori" last="Ray"] picked off [player_tooltip player_id="188014" first="Shaker" last="Reisig"] in the first quarter. A couple plays later, [player_tooltip player_id="112477" first="Da’Monn" last="Sanders"] got into the endzone off a pass from Banks, and the newly branded Redhawks led 15-0. <strong>Shaker shakes off the nerves</strong> Freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id="188014" first="Shaker" last="Reisig"] was the hero of the Backyard Bowl with a big performance in his first start. This time around Union was ready for him and he made some early mistakes that led to a brief time on the bench to settle him down. In the second quarter, Jenks got it rolling and were knocking on the door of the redzone with Reisig at the helm. From 26 yards out, he took off on a scramble, made a defender miss inside the 10 and found the endzone for the first Jenks score of the game. <strong>Second Half Spark</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="47955" first="Jaiden" last="Carroll"] was the workhorse all game long for the Trojan. He flashed big play ability when he took the opening kickoff of the second half, made a few defenders back and exploded up the sideline to set them up with a short field. Jenks has had a two-headed monster at running back all season and they were at it again on Saturday afternoon. Carroll would combine with fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id="157457" first="Jalyn" last="Stanford"] for over 250 yards on the ground as Carroll finished with over 150 and Stanford also hit the century mark at 100. <strong>Glenny On The Spot</strong> Jenks senior [player_tooltip player_id="160658" first="Glenny" last="Jones"] has been one of the best players on this championship team. He stepped into a role where he was an electric wide receiver while also a shutdown corner. He once again came up big in the title game as [player_tooltip player_id="157457" first="Jalyn" last="Stanford"] broke off a big run but fumbled just before reaching the end zone. Jones raced past two Union defenders and hopped on the ball to put Jenks up with the touchdown. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="98178" first="Ty" last="Walls"] Pick Six</strong> Union had been shutout since their first quarter surge but they still had one last shot at sending the game into overtime. Down 23-15, the Redhawks had the ball, looking to keep their title hopes alive. However, [player_tooltip player_id="38703" first="Rovaughn" last="Banks"] would throw a pass to the right that junior standout [player_tooltip player_id="98178" first="Ty" last="Walls"] would step in front of the pass to the flats and take it back for the game-clinching touchdown. The celebration was on, as Jenks sealed the deal on back to back 6A-1 State Titles. <strong>Riggs Celebrates</strong> Jenks head coach Keith Riggs got the gatorade bath following his team’s championship victory and that was much different than last year. Riggs was unable to be with his team in the second half and afterwards on the field as he was dealing with migraines. But for his second title as Jenks’ head coach, Riggs was front and center for the postgame celebration as the Trojans went back to back. He even joked in the post game interviews that he would be willing to get sick again if it meant another title. Football guys, you have to love them.