No miracle in Jenks as Trojans overwhelm Tigers 50-0

By GREGG STILWELL
Press sports special writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS October 19, 2007 03:32 pm

— 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.
Taylor Tannehill came on to kick from his own 20. The kick was long enough, traveling 50 yards to the Jenks 30, but disaster hit the Tigers as Gabe Lynn returned the free kick all the way back into the Tiger end zone for a 70 yard touchdown. Perry's extra point made the score 37-0.
Bryant had his chance to shine as a receiver, and Jackson got his opportunity on the ensuing Tahlequah drive. Thornton connected with Jackson for passes of eight, 10 and 11 yards, but penalties ruined the momentum and eventually forced the Tigers to punt.
Jackson showed that he had shaken off the block on his previous attempt, booting a 51 yard punt. But the Ginther to Adams connection burned the Tiger defense again, this time for a 36 yard gain on a first and 20, down to the Tahlequah nine.
This time fullback Grant Goodwin got the scoring honors, carrying for a nine yard touchdown. Blake Edwards was off the mark on his first extra point attempt of the night to keep the score at 43-0 with 4:09 to play in the third.
The Jenks second string scored the final points of the evening with Colton Dost scoring from four yards out after an impressive 37 yard run. Edwards kick was perfect this time as Jenks set the final score of 50-0.
Tahlequah had their best chance to score when they took over at the 9:22 mark of the final stanza. Crawford jump started the Tiger offense with a catch of seven yards and rushes of 16 and five yards.
Bryant came up with one of the longest plays against the Legion of Doom this season with a 43 yard run off of a fake punt. Bryant's heroics moved the ball to the Jenks 13.
But the ever proud Trojans always are determined to keep their endzone from seeing enemy cleats and the Tigers were turned away with a sack and an incompletion ending the Tahlequah scoring hopes.
Thornton joined a rare list of quarterbacks to pass for over 100 yards against the Jenks defense. The senior was 14 of 25 for 101 yards. Ginther led Jenks completing 13 of 16 for 237 yards.
Adkins led both teams in rushing with 82 yards on 13 carries. Bryant led the Tigers, thanks to his big play on the fake punt carrying seven times for 64 yards. Crawford gained 39 yards on 16 carries.
Bryant was the leader in both catches and receiving yards for the Tigers. Chucky had eight receptions for 46 yards. Jackson had 4 catches for 32 yards and Crawford had 20 yards on two catches.
The Tigers will be returning home to Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium for senior night next Friday against Sapulpa, the former home of Tahlequah head coach Tuffy Thornton. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. with senior night activities expected to begin around 6:50 p.m.