Bragging Rights Up For Grabs As Union, Jenks Renew Backyard Bowl Rivalry

Jenks and Union renew their rivalry this Friday night in the Backyard Bowl.

Union will welcome in the Trojans inside the upgraded Tuttle Stadium and bragging rights will be up for grabs as both teams hope to be playing late into December.

You can talk about hype every time a football game is set to play, but when Jenks and Union face off, it’s elevated to a whole new level.

“This game is one that we mark on our calendar every year because it’s about to be a big turnout and we have to go prove ourselves that we are not pushovers,” said Jenks lineman AJ Brown.

Jenks comes into the matchup 1-1 on the year. After a win over Mansfield Summit in Week Zero, they stumbled against Bixby last week.

Last year, the Trojans shut out Union for the first time since 1982. Brown has become the latest in a long line of family members to suit up and play in the game. He wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

"My brother, my cousin, and my uncles have been through this game and it’s just an amazing feeling. The atmosphere by itself, it’s hard to put into words,” said Brown.

This year could see even more fire power with a new stadium in the fold at Union. Possibly more than 10,000 fans will be on hand to see the latest edition of the Backyard Bowl.

"It’s about to be crazy, to say the least and we are hoping to have the same outcome, but we already know it’s going to be a dog fight to the end," said Brown.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday night at Union High School.