JENKS - The Tahlequah Tigers stayed within striking distance of Class 6A number two ranked Jenks for most of the first half Thursday night, but a touchdown just before intermission and a nine point in 11 seconds scoring burst sealed a 50-0 victory for the Trojans at Hunter-Dwelley Stadium in Jenks.

With the Trojans (6-1 and 5-0) have clinched a playoff berth and can clinch the district title and a home field playoff spot with a win in at least one of their final two games. Tahlequah (1-6 and 0-5) will return to Gable Field next week for the final home game of the season against the Sapulpa Chieftains and will end their 6A era in two weeks at Bartlesville. The Tigers will be dropping down to Class 5A for at least two years following this season.

Tahlequah, as has become their habit, looked good against the Trojans early. The Tigers showed no intimidation as they took the opening kickoff and drove 32 yards to the Jenks 48. Against a normal team a 32 yard drive may not seem like much, but against the mighty Jenks Trojan Legion of Doom defense, it was equal to having the daring to hurl a rock at a giant.

Quarterback Jake Thornton wasn't fazed by the sights and sounds that come with playing at Jenks. The Super Fans didn't rattle him on the first possessions as he completed passes to fellow seniors Greg Jackson and Chucky Bryant to earn first downs. Bryant was particularly effective on the first possession catching three passes for 29 yards. A Greg Jackson punt left Jenks to start at their 20, not the usual opening field position that the Trojans are used to.

But Jenks, led by senior quarterback Mark Ginther who would be the state's top recruit had he not already commited to playing baseball in college, marched methodically down the field with Alonzo Adams catching and Chris Adkins running for 47 yards each as the Trojans overcame a personal foul penalty to take the lead on a one yard blast by Adkins.

Ginther went three for three on the drive. Matt Perry had a rare miss when his extra point attempt bounced off of the left upright.

Jenks led 6-0 at the 4:16 mark of the first.

Tahlequah looked good on an end around by speedster Ronald "the Flash" Mitchell who fooled the Trojans on an end around. The Tigers Angry Orange defense was stubborn holding the Trojans to only the single score in the first frame despite Jenks being given four untimed plays to end the first period in an odd penalty filled fashion.

Adkins again scored, this time on a 13 yard run. Ginther passed to Vince Boncaldo for the two point conversion as Jenks took a 14-0 lead at the 11:09 mark of the second.

The Trojans went up 21-0 with 8:23 to play in the first half on a 29 yard pass from Ginther to Adams.

Adams, a senior wide receiver had the best night of his career, hauling in 10 catches for 211 yards and one touchdown.

The Tigers moved 32 yards once again midway through the second, again stalling at the Jenks 48. Bryant, filling in for a shaken up Michael Crawford, had runs of seven and 14 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards to highlight the mini-drive. Crawford returned and surprised the Jenks defense with a 13 yard screen pass that was good for a first down on a third and long.

An interception by Gabe Lynn on what most of the Tahlequah faithful believed should have been a pass interference penalty against the Trojans, led to a final score before halftime with Adkins crossing the goal line from one yard out for his third touchdown of the night with 12 seconds left in the half. Adkins' score was set up by a 52 yard catch by Adams.

Jenks led 28-0 at the half and tacked on nine points quickly between the 8:48 and 8:37 marks of the third period.

Forced to punt from his own end zone, Jackson suffered his first blocked punt of the season as Zach Herren sailed in to knock the ball off course and into the end zone. Jackson cleverly realized the best thing he could do was fall on the ball and Jenks had a 30-0 lead with a safety.