Jenks Players To Watch
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The Class 6A-D1 state championship is set for 1PM on Saturday night at UCO’s Wantland Stadium. We’ll see a familiar face in the Jenks Trojans, but their opponent is somewhat surprising after Edmond Santa Fe beat Union in the semifinals on Saturday, making it to their first title game in almost two decades. Prep Redzone Oklahoma will have preview content throughout the week to get you ready for Saturday afternoon’s title game. In this latest post, we take a look at some of the Players To Watch for the Trojans that will have an impact in Saturday’s game.
TWO-WAY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Grant Lohr
Grant
Lohr
6'0" | ATH
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Running Back/Defensive Back
Offense: Last year’s breakout star for the Trojans was a senior running back who also was a defensive back in Will Cox. This year, it’s that same combo of positions but the player is
Grant Lohr
Grant
Lohr
6'0" | ATH
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
. On the offensive side of the ball, he’s a different type of runner and he’s become one of the best in Oklahoma. The thing that makes Lohr so special and separates him from other running backs is his patience. He waits for his moment and he takes advantage of it. He’s scored 21 touchdowns on the season and has averaged over 7 yards per carry. He just had a great game against a front seven from Owasso that is pretty good. He’ll look to replicate that on Saturday against Santa Fe’s talented front seven.
Defense: On the other side of the ball, he uses that patience and also physical ability at the safety position. There’s no secret when it comes to Lohr that he’s at his best on defense when he’s able to work closer to the line of scrimmage and help out with run defense. However, he also has shown the ability to drop back and make interceptions and play good pass defense. Lohr has the chance to have a huge impact on Saturday’s game. The big question we have is where is Lohr at his most valuable, offense or defense? And while his future as a college prospect might be as a defender, it’s hard to argue his abilities on offense and what he’s been able to do this season.
Jayden Patrick
Jayden
Patrick
5'11" | DB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Offense: Jenks senior
Jayden Patrick
Jayden
Patrick
5'11" | DB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
was a player that we saw for the first time last year and really thought he was a special talent at the cornerback position. However, fast forward to 2020 and he’s become even more valuable. Not only does he still have the ability to shut down a side of the field, he’s become Jenks’ home run threat at the wide receiver position. He leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns. We believe that Patrick is the number one athlete and weapon on this Jenks team and they use him accordingly. They also use him in special teams, whatever they need to do to get the ball in his hands. Patrick is a big play waiting to happen and then he turns around and attempts to shut down the opposing team’s top receiver.
Defense: Coming into the season, we thought that Patrick was one of the top corners in the state. He’s still that but his stock has risen dramatically as just an overall athlete that will be able to help in a variety of ways. However, we’re looking forward to this championship match-up because Patrick has the ability to showcase his corner skills on a big stage against arguably the best wide receiver in the state. Santa Fe’s
Talyn Shettron
Talyn
Shettron
6'3" | WR
Edmond Santa Fe | 2022
State
OK
is regarded as one of the top junior receiver prospects in the country. Shettron torched the Trojans in their regular season meeting in 2019. Patrick will look to contain Shettron and not let those big plays hurt the Trojans for a second straight year.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stephen Kittleman
Stephen
Kittleman
5'11" | QB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Quarterback
Last year,
Stephen Kittleman
Stephen
Kittleman
5'11" | QB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
had a tough job of replacing a three-year starter in Ian Corwin at quarterback. However, Kittleman helped get the Trojans to the title game. Coming into this year, Kittleman already had everyone’s respect as one of the better quarterbacks in Oklahoma. He’s been your typical Jenks quarterback. First off, he does wear #9 and we know that number is special. But he’s been a distributer of the ball to some special players on this Jenks offense. He’s thrown for over 2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions. We wouldn’t categorize Kittleman as a “game manager” at QB because he can make plays with his arm and his legs and he takes chances when he needs to. He also doesn’t make mistakes that cost his team. Kittleman is hungry to lead his team to a state championship after falling short in the title game last year.
Ty Walls – Sophomore Wide Receiver
One of only two sophomores to make this list, Ty Walls has become a very consistent target for Kittleman in the Jenks passing attack. Ty Walls has been Jenks’ second leading receiver in yards and touchdowns on the year. He’s caught six touchdown passes and has really given a Jenks a weapon in the slot while Patrick has been their home run threat. The scary part about Walls is how much better he’s going to be when it’s all said and done. He’s putting up this production on a loaded Jenks team that have championship aspirations. Walls could end up being the next big name when it comes to Jenks playmakers.
Waylon Adams
Waylon
Adams
6'4" | TE
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Tight End
Every successful quarterback needs what is considered a “security blanket”. Usually it’s a reliable tight end who can bail out the quarterback when the play is breaking down and senior
Waylon Adams
Waylon
Adams
6'4" | TE
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
is that for this Trojan offense. When you look at the stats and numbers, Adams isn’t going to blow you away. But the reasoning is pretty simple, as he’s not the number one option in the passing game. However, whenever his number is called, he performs and he is a reliable target. And once he gets the ball in his hands, that’s when the fun really begins. Adams is a big, strong athlete that is a mismatch when he’s going against linebackers and defensive backs. With the ball in his hands, it’s going to take more than one defender to bring him down.
Logan Nobles
Logan
Nobles
6'6" | OL
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Offensive Lineman
He’s one of the best offensive linemen in the state and he’s committed to Oklahoma State.
Logan Nobles
Logan
Nobles
6'6" | OL
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
is an absolute mountain of a man and anchors this Jenks offensive line at left tackle. Jenks has had a lot of success putting out big and powerful offensive linemen in the last couple decades and Nobles is the latest to fit that mold. One of the big match-up’s to watch, if it happens, will be Nobles going up against Santa Fe’s
Collin Oliver
Collin
Oliver
6'3" | LB
Edmond Santa Fe | 2021
State
OK
, another top prospect and another OSU commit. If Nobles can limit Oliver in pass rushing situations, then the Trojans will have a good shot to put up some points on Saturday.
Milton White
Milton
White
6'3" | OL
Jenks | 2023
State
OK
– Sophomore Offensive Lineman
On that same offensive line is a young sophomore that has the chance to be the next big lineman prospect for the Trojans. While he doesn’t have the height of a Nobles and will more than likely be an interior guy at the next level,
Milton White
Milton
White
6'3" | OL
Jenks | 2023
State
OK
is a name to remember. He established his spot as a starter earlier than most do at Jenks. And with Nobles graduating, it will be White that will be anchoring the O-Line as the Trojans move into 2021. Just like with Nobles, White will look to be dominant against a Santa Fe front seven that has some big time players.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colemon Thurber
Colemon
Thurber
6'4" | DL
Jenks | 2022
State
OK
– Junior Defensive Lineman
The only junior on this list is defensive lineman
Colemon Thurber
Colemon
Thurber
6'4" | DL
Jenks | 2022
State
OK
. The Trojans have a couple defensive linemen that we could have gone with but it’s hard to ignore Thurber’s production and ability on the football field. He isn’t the biggest lineman but you wouldn’t know that if you just watch his play. Even when he’s going against opponents much bigger than him, he knows how to get the better of them. Whether that’s speed or just straight up strength, Thurber knows how to disrupt things along the line of scrimmage. Thurber does have the benefit of having some strong players playing behind him but when it comes to this title game match-up, Thurber and the Jenks front will be very important, looking to slow down Santa Fe’s run game.
Tyson Ward
Tyson
Ward
6'0" | LB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
– Senior Linebacker
He might be the last player on this list but he is so critical to Jenks’ success on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t like to throw the word “underrated” around very often because when it’s used all the time, it simply loses it’s meaning. However, Jenks senior linebacker
Tyson Ward
Tyson
Ward
6'0" | LB
Jenks | 2021
State
OK
is one of the most underrated linebackers in Oklahoma today. All he did last year was lead the Trojans in tackles after transferring to Jenks from Lincoln Christian. Fast forward to 2020 and he’s still the leading tackler on the Trojans with 85 on the season. And when you watch Ward on the field, especially before the snap, he’s an extension of the coaching staff. Ward is going to be a great addition to whoever ends up signing the talented linebacker.