Everyone's favorite time of the year is here again...football season! And if you're from Oklahoma, then you're fully aware of all the hype surrounding the Friday Night Lights. High school football is highly competitive in Oklahoma. Schools compete to have the best student section, the cheerleaders of each team attempt to one-up each other, and hundreds of fans show up to every game proudly clothed in the colors of their alma mater. But two teams rise above the rest in the Tulsa area, and these two teams share what I believe is the greatest high school football rivalry in the nation. Coming head to head again in the annual Backyard Bowl on Friday, September 9th, is the Jenks Trojans and the Union Redskins!

Since I graduated from Jenks High School in 2015, and I was a Jenks Varsity cheerleader all throughout high school, my team of choice will always be the Trojans. Jenks is a dominating force in Oklahoma 6A football. Under the leadership of head coach, Allan Trimble, the Trojans have won the 6A State title for the past four consecutive years. In the school's history, Jenks has won a total of sixteen State Championships in football, a record which surpasses all other Tulsa area high schools by far. Not to mention, the fact that THIRTEEN of those titles have been won under Coach Trimble in his twenty years at Jenks High School, which is an extremely impressive coaching record.

Allan Trimble is a coaching legend in the Tulsa area. He's had a significant impact on Jenks Trojan Football, and his legacy will live on forever. Unfortunately, Coach Trimble was recently diagnosed with ALS; and this could very well be his last season with the Jenks Trojans. I believe that this fact will have a major impact on the Trojans, and how they will play, this football season. These boys have a lot to fight for, especially if they plan to send Trimble out the way he deserves...with another State championship to add to his outstanding coaching record, and another gold ball to add to the collection at Jenks High School.

If you haven't attended the annual Backyard Bowl, you're missing out big time. Thousands of fans show up to watch this intense game every year, and the Jenks Trojans and Union Redskins never disappoint! This game is so exciting because these two teams are always extremely talented, and never fail to play to the best of their ability. Leaving everything on the field, this game is a constant battle and the score consistently ends up being fairly close. And even if your favorite team ends up taking the L, you still enjoyed a great night of football. There's nothing quite like cheering on your team from the sidelines underneath the Friday Night Lights, but I'm thrilled to attend and watch from the stands again this year. If you've never been, I highly suggest attending the Jenks vs. Union game this Friday to see what you're missing out on...game starts at 7 o'clock!

Best of luck to both the Trojans and the Redskins this Friday!

If you'd like to help support Coach Trimble, feel free to visit trimblestrong.org and donate! Buy a t-shirt to show your Trojan pride, or support an outstanding coach and person :)

#BEATUNION