Second day of fall camp for high schools across the state on Tuesday. Thankfully, Mother Nature played no role this morning.

However, there are plenty of high-intensity workouts, including here in Jenks, as the Trojans look to reclaim their first Gold Ball since 2021.

The Trojans have high goals again after finishing second in 2023. Many new faces both in the squad and on the coaching staff.

Keith Riggs has added several new assistants to his coaching staff, while the Trojans added several high-profile transfers in the offseason. One of the biggest motivating factors for the 2024 season is the 49-21 loss to Bixby in the state championship game last year.

“Here at Jenks, you have high expectations. You expect to be there,” said Adam Gaylor, Jenks defensive coordinator. “But we also have to make sure we understand that we are not the defending champions. We are the hunters, not the hunted. Everyone is chasing Bixby because they have won the last few years. We are the hunters. That’s the attitude we have to have, no complacency,” added Gaylor.

It’s a big year for the Chieftains in Sapulpa. Head coach Tim Holt and his team are moving up to 6A-II for the 2024 season. The Chieftains are the smallest school in the division.

Other schools, especially on the west side, aren’t very familiar with them after their rise from 5A. And Holt says his team is enjoying the role of underdog.

“We’re playing with some grit this year, with a little chip on our shoulder. And that’s how we’ve approached it since we got promoted,” Sapulpa head coach Tim Holt said. “I think that’s what we’ve got to do, to go out there and compete with teams, because we’re going to play schools that are a lot bigger than us. And we’ve got to go out there and compete and play four quarters of football and be physical and all that stuff that you hear coaches say all the time. I think we’re ready for it and we’ll train accordingly.”

The Chieftains will play their first 6A-II district game on Sept. 27 when they host Capitol Hill.