Owasso Rams Defeat Jenks Trojans: 22 Game Losing Streak Ends – Oklahoma High School Football

Photo and article by Debbie Edwards (On the sideline at Owasso Stadium)

There was an unfamiliar chill in the air for the 75 degree temperature in Owasso Stadium tonight where an estimated 8000 diehard football fans sat. One loyal fan reminisced about the victory that Owasso had over Jenks some 21 years ago, and how, since that time, victory proved elusive for the Rams against a solid Trojan program.The most recent stinging defeat was that of last years’ first round of the playoffs. In a defensive battle that went down to the wire, Jenks came away victorious. Would this year be any different?

There were stark similarities in the game in that it was a defensive battle. Owasso won the toss, but deferred to the second half, putting Jenks’ offense on the field. Jenks methodically marched down the field on that first drive, but Owasso’s stout defense held as it forced Jenks to turn the ball over on downs on its 2 yard line.

Jenks was first on the scoreboard, managing to hit a field goal with 6 seconds left in the half. Owasso would get the ball on offense to start the second half, showing sparks of life with a 16 yard scamper by quarterback Gabe Neph and a huge reception by Demond Sampson, but the drive stalled as the ball was intercepted by Jenks off of a tipped pass.

The third quarter would showcase more defensive strength by both teams, with Jenks managing to etch out another field goal with 4:22 left in the 3rd quarter. Owasso’s offense would come alive after the spark provided by its defense. Bo Winters intercepted an errant Jenks pass with 9:18 left in the 4th quarter and that emotion passed on to an offense that saw big plays on the legs of Neph, converting on 4th and 1 to keep the drive alive. That drive was capped with a textbook touchdown pass to Wallace Clay, with 5:57 left in the game. Owasso lead on the first and only touchdown of the game, 7-6.

The victory would lie squarely on the shoulders of Owasso’s defense, as Jenks managed to march the ball down the field on a combination of penalty yardage and a bobbling catch on its 7 yard line. Senior Kavon Graham came up big with a QB sack with 5:40 left in the game. Luke Wyzard’s big defense of a pass in the end zone placed the possibility of victory on Jenks’ kickers’ foot. However, as the air in the stadium chilled, so did Jenks’ attempt at taking the lead as the potentially game-winning field goal sailed to the right.

Final score Owasso 7. Jenks 6.

I spoke with Kavon Graham, senior tackle, and asked him what effect tonight’s victory would have on the team? Graham said, “that the victory was a confidence builder and a result of a team that worked hard to achieve its goals.”

Owasso is 3-0 after tonight’s victory. Jenks, last year’s defending state champions, falls to 1-2.