Jenks shows championship mettle once again in epic comeback win in Class 6AI quarterfinals
By Michael Kinney
MUSTANG - Throughout its three-decade run of dominance, Jenks has played the bully when it comes to teams on the West side of the state.
No matter whom they have played, the Trojans have found a way to pound on them before advancing through the playoffs.
However, for three quarters Friday night, it looked like the tide had changed. Mustang bullied the defending Class 6AI champions and looked like it was on the way to beating the Trojans for the first time in the program’s history.
But once again, the Trojans showed they are made differently as they stormed back from 19 points down in the fourth quarter to earn a 34-31 victory in the quarterfinals of the 6AI playoffs at Bronco Stadium.
“That just shows the true character of this team,” said Jenks senior Ty Walls. “We didn’t play a good first half at all. But we stuck in there and kept fighting.
"Our team has so much fight and so much heart that it’s unbelievable.”
After trailing by 19 points to start the fourth quarter, the Trojans came back to take a three-point lead with just 1:32 on the clock. However, that was plenty of time for the quick-strike Broncos to drive the ball down the field.
Mustang quarterback Tristen Russell connected with Oklahoma Sooners signee Jacobe Johnson on two big passes to get MHS in field goal position with just four seconds left.
Sophomore Aiden Jordan lined up for the game-tying kick, but the Trojans' Ashton Cunningham found a crease in the line and blocked the field goal with his left arm as time expired.
“Ashton, that kid, he is unreal fast,” Walls said. “He had the block against Broken Arrow in overtime. Honestly, I knew it was going to happen. I knew he was going to go block it; he was close on every single one they had.
"That was awesome; such an unreal moment."
Russell finished the night with 262 yards passing, 147 yards rushing and four total touchdowns. However, the senior signal-caller also had two fourth-quarter turnovers that helped the Trojans' comeback efforts.
In his final football game as a Bronco, Johnson posted 188 yards and two touchdowns on five catches. However, no other receiver had more than 40 yards for MHS.
University of Houston commit Jalyn Stanford led Jenks in rushing (89 yards) and receiving (59).
Jenks quarterback Ike Owens had a slow start, but ended the contest with 154 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-14 passing. He also ran for 76 yards and a score.
“At the beginning of the game, there was a lot of pressure. I couldn’t really get the ball out,” Owens said. “Towards the end of the game, the line was doing great and I was able to find (receivers).”
The first half belonged to Johnson. He racked up 159 yards and both of his touchdowns on three catches.
That included a 90-yard bomb from Russell in which Johnson broke wide open and cruised into the end zone for a 17-3 advantage.
Johnson’s third catch of the half was a deep pass down the Jenks sideline against the double coverage of Sam Stone and Cunningham. He was tackled inside the 5 and Russell scored on a dive up the middle to put the Broncos up, 24-9, at halftime.
Andrew Pursell booted a pair of field goals to keep the Trojans within striking distance. That included a 52-yarder to start the fourth quarter.
Leading 31-15, all the Broncos needed to do was keep the clock moving and not turn the ball over and the game would be theirs.
However, that was not how it played out.
With 11 minutes left in the game, Russell threw an interception that was initially returned for a touchdown. However, a penalty brought the ball back to the 42-yard line.
Jenks eventually scored on a Walls 13-yard TD catch. Owens converted the two-point conversion, and Mustang’s lead was down to eight points with 8:06 left.
It continued to go downhill on the ensuing possession when Russell fumbled while trying to scramble around the backfield. Jenks recovered deep in Mustang territory.
Owens plunged into the end zone to get the Trojans to within two points. Jenks then attempted a double reverse pass on the two-point conversion, which worked as Walls connected with Jayden Johnson in the back of the end zone to tie it at 31-all.
Jenks’ defense then forced the Broncos to punt and they were able to get close enough for Pursell to hit a go-ahead 21-yard field goal and put the rest of the game on the shoulders of their defense.
“Coach (Adam) Gaylor (the defensive coordinator) just came over to us and told us not to flinch,” Walls said. “And we didn’t flinch. Everyone stepped up and got the job done.”
After the game ended, small chants of "We Want Bixby" could be heard from around the Jenks celebration. And that is whom they will face in the semifinals just three weeks after ending the Spartans' 58-game win streak in the regular season finale.
