High School Football Playoff Preview: Jenks vs. Union

It's the new normal for rivals Union and Jenks to play the Backyard Bowl and later face off in the postseason.

"You can't get much more hyped than when you're playing Union-Jenks," said Redskins head coach Kirk Fridrich.

Trojans head coach Allen Trimble says his team is playing well on both sides of the ball. "We're playing pretty good defense right now, [and] Cooper Nunley is being a great leader and has our offense playing pretty good," he stated.

Jenks won this year's Backyard Bowl and will have to go through Union to win their 4th straight Gold Ball.

"[We] want to come out and not only make history but have this senior class be remembered as one of the most winningest," said Jenks receiver Dillon Stoner.

Stoner was out for the last couple games with an ankle injury, but he says he's healthy now and ready to make an impact.

"I just try to bring everyone up,” he added. “I like to think my physical ability helps out, but I try to be more of a leader than anything.”

Over at Union, it’s a different story. A young Redskins team lost to the experienced Trojans in Week 2. But, the Redskins say that they're a different team; they're more mature and they'll be ready to go Friday night.

"Everything was new, from the ball boys all the way through, and we've had the chance to grow through some adversity,” explained Fridrich. "As a team we've just had an opportunity to grow just through experience."

They plan on using workhorse Tyler Adkins to dethrone their rival.

"It's my last year. I won't be able to play against them anymore so I'll be sure to give it all I have,” said Adkins. “There's always room for improvement, but I'm liking what we've been doing these last few games."

There’s one guarantee, whenever these two rivals meet be prepared for a barn burner.