Surprising Backyard Bowl heroes
By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer on Sep 13, 2013, at 2:23 AM Updated on 9/13/13 at 7:28 AM
High School Football
The Tulsa World is looking for photographers to shoot all the action surrounding high school football games - the fans, the bands, the mascots, the cheerleaders and plays on the field. This will be in addition to the staff photographers we send to area games.
We covered 30 schools and had more than 900 photos to choose from when we created this gallery. See what we liked or see all the galleries from Week 2. If you like a photo, you can buy it.
Since the Jenks-Union regular-season matchup became the MidFirst Bank Backyard Bowl in 2004, many heroics have been produced by players who entered the game as a marquee performer and went on to major college careers and a few to the NFL. Oklahoma State players Jeremy Smith and Tracy Moore were the stars for Union in its 2007 and '08 wins. Jenks' Phillip Dillard, who has played in the NFL, was a defensive force in leading the Trojans to a 2004 win. Oklahoma running back Alex Ross opened the scoring with a 59-yard TD run to ignite Jenks' 33-7 victory in 2010. University of Tulsa player Dalton Rodriguez, who was one of last season's top college recruits in the state, dominated on defense in the Redskins' 14-7 victory in 2012.
But while highly heralded players producing great moments in the Backyard Bowl are almost expected, surprising stars also seem to emerge. Below are five who fit that description:
Tyler Graves, Jenks, 2004
A successful fake field goal proved to be the difference as the holder, Graves, gained 3 yards on fourth-and-2 to set up quarterback Andrew Brewer's 1-yard TD run with 3:47 left that gave Jenks a 17-7 lead in a game it won 17-13. Jenks coach Allan Trimble had waited a couple years to run the fake field goal but waited until the right time to use it.
Jake Strain, Jenks, 2005
It appeared he might not even play in the '05 game, but Strain relieved injured Mark Ginther with Union leading 37-20 in the third quarter. Strain completed 5 of 8 passes for 119 yards and three TDs, including the winning 63-yard TD to Issac Norman with 18 seconds left to lift Jenks to a 48-44 victory. Strain played in only two more games and never threw another TD pass for Jenks.
Daniel Hausher, Union, 2008
The senior linebacker sacked quarterback Beau Marsaln to end Union's 24-17 overtime victory at Union-Tuttle Stadium. Marsaln had rallied Jenks from a 17-3 deficit with two fourth-quarter TD passes. It was the second consecutive year the Backyard Bowl went into overtime.
Kyle Crutchmer, Union, 2011
The senior linebacker and wrestling standout (above) made a name for himself on the football field with his 100-yard interception return for his first career touchdown to key Union's 41-19 victory. Jenks was driving for the tying TD late in the first half until Crutchmer's game-changing play.
Zack Langer, Jenks, 2009
Langer, who plays for TU, was unknown outside of the Jenks program before getting his chance in the '09 Backyard Bowl due to starting tailback Cory Jones' high ankle sprain. Langer, who had never carried more than 12 times in a game, took advantage and had 32 rushes for 132 yards and two TDs to win MVP honors in a 27-25 victory.
High School Football
The Tulsa World is looking for photographers to shoot all the action surrounding high school football games - the fans, the bands, the mascots, the cheerleaders and plays on the field. This will be in addition to the staff photographers we send to area games.
We covered 30 schools and had more than 900 photos to choose from when we created this gallery. See what we liked or see all the galleries from Week 2. If you like a photo, you can buy it.
