Backyard Bowl Media Day

Jenks and Union don't kick off until Friday night, but the buildup to the big game is well underway. The Backyard Bowl has become so big it now requires its own media day. It was held Tuesday at

Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 4:40 pm

By: News On 6

Jenks and Union don't kick off until Friday night, but the buildup to the big game is well underway. The Backyard Bowl has become so big it now requires its own media day. It was held Tuesday at TU's Reynolds Center. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports both coaches say they don't have a problem with how intense this rivalry has become. In fact, they say they welcome the attention.

The Backyard Bowl, once simply a big game between big programs, now comes with its own trophy. It has also attracted corporate sponsorship. For the fourth year in a row, MidFirst Bank will sponsor the game. Both coaches say they have no problem with all the coverage.

"It's why you really do your job. It's why you play, it's why you practice, why you work out in January and February, is to go out and test your skills against a great opponent," Jenks head football coach Allan Trimble said.

"It's a healthy rivalry. It's not something that's just bitter," said Union head football coach Kirk Fridrich.

The healthy rivalry will feature a new twist this year. NFL Films will be on both campuses during the week and at the game on Friday. The company is filming a series of documentaries on great high school football rivalries. The Jenks-Union episode will air in October on either the NFL or Versus Network.

"If the NFL Network wants to come in and document the rivalry and what it is, I think it will reflect great on both schools," Fridrich said.

"It definitely brings a national flare, brings coverage to a couple of tremendous school districts," said Trimble.

Both coaches were nothing but cordial while discussing the rivalry during media day, but you can expect that to change come Friday night.

The Backyard Bowl is also one of 16 games selected nationally for the â€œGreat American Rivalry Series.â€ It will be broadcast live on the internet at www.greatamericanrivalry.com.

Jenks vs. Union kicksoff on Friday at 7:30 p.m. As in years past, the game is being played at the University of Tulsaâ€™s Chapman Stadium.

Watch the video: Jenks, Union Ready For Backyard Bowl