Jenks Trojans Sports Roundup
By DOUG EATON
GTR Sports Writer
This is a quick overview of Jenks Trojans and Lady Trojans fall sports. Volleyball will be reviewed in the October Jenks District Gazette.
Football
The 2014 edition of Jenks High School football finds the Trojans in the middle of several impressive streaks, including a 26-game winning streak and two straight Class 6A state titles.
If early season practices are any indication, the Trojans appear to be in good shape to continue both streaks under head coach Allan Trimble.
Defensive lineman Marquise Overton, who has already committed to the University of Oklahoma, returns to serve as the anchor of the Trojans’ d-line.
The Trojan defensive backfield, despite losing two of the best to graduation and who are now in the Big 12: Steven Parker (OU) and Dylan Harding (), should be ably led this season by juniors Dillon Stoner and Austin Quillen.
The Trojan offense will be under the controls of junior quarterback Cooper Nunley.
Nunley, now with a full year of experience under his belt, should be primed to take the Trojans to another big year offensively.
One of Nunley’s prime targets will be wide receiver Carson Epps, a speedster who also doubles on the track team, and who provides a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.
With Class 6A now being divided into two subclasses, the Trojans find themselves with several Oklahoma City area schools on this year’s schedule.
Trojan home games include Bixby (September 5), Putnam City, Westmoore and Edmond Memorial while Jenks hits the road with games at Owasso, Norman, Edmond Santa Fe and Yukon.
The annual Backyard Bowl against the Union Redskins is set for H.A. Chapman Stadium on Sept. 12.
Cross country
Boys head coach Steve Patterson is in an enviable position as his Trojans prepare to defend their Class 6A state title with almost their whole squad returning intact.
After dominating most of their meets in 2013 and running away with the state championship, the Trojans will be going after their 14th state cross country championship this fall.
Veteran runners Cody Jones, Chris Staub, Noah Soap, Jacob Janzen, Bradyn Gower and Will Ratlif all return from last year’s team to try bring home state title No. 14.
The Jenks girls cross country team should be in the state title hunt as well with six of their top seven runners from last year’s squad returning.
Grace Barber, Rachel Buker, Jayla Valderas, Lauren Garrison, Julia Richardson and Maddie Hudspeth combined to lead the Lady Trojans placed fifth at last year’s state meet.
Girls head coach Maria Fernandez says a couple of freshmen, Tiqvah Soap and Lexi Littlefield, should also contribute.
“We do have many girls that have had excellent workouts all summer long,” Coach Fernandez added.
Fast-pitch softball
The 2014 season looks to be somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Lady Trojans as Jenks returns just two starters from last fall’s team, but both ladies will be holding down new positions defensively.
Kenzie Weigt will be taking the circle as she assumes the spot of the team’s number one pitcher and Kelsey Zucco will be behind the plate.
Both played outfield last year.
Head coach Jeff Owens says his team will have to overcome a level of inexperience and expects to have a few bumps early in the season.
The Lady Trojans should discover early just how they stand as they started the season in the Broken Arrow Tournament, one of the largest tournaments in the area.
As the Gazette went to press, the Lady Trojans were set to face Edmond North, Cleveland, Sapulpa, Hilldale and Southmoore in the tournament.
Updated 08-24-2014
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