Preseason Blitz: Bixby Spartans

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – Teams usually have one game every year they circle on their calendars, but rarely is that the first game of the year. But that is the case this season for the Bixby Spartans.

Bixby will face powerhouse Jenks in Week 1, one year after being blown out 65-7 by the same team. The Spartans managed to qualify for the playoffs with a 5-5 record, but got blown out again by Jenks in the first round.

"I used to work with all those guys, and so it's exciting," head coach Loren Montgomery said. "And then it's just a big rivalry. People in Jenks and Bixby know about each other, and they want to do well against each other. It's one that you look forward to, definitely."

The Spartans are well aware that Jenks will always be a challenge, but they relish that challenge and know they must face it if they want to become an elite team.

"It just shows you how you play against the best team in the state," quarterback TJ Eckert said. "That's always a good thing to do because you get to play them sometime. If you're gonna win a state championship, you have to play them, so you might as well get it out of the way in the first game."