Adkins ready for rematch with Union

JENKS — Jenks running back Chris Adkins likes to go against the grain.

While most of his teammates have followed Jenks tradition and bleached their hair, Adkins has not. Most kids his age love playing Madden. He does not. Most of his classmates take four years to graduate from high school. Adkins will graduate in January.

Jenks' Chris Adkins, right, celebrates on the field following his team's 28-7 win in the 2006 Class 6A championship game. The running back has two straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Trojans. by MATT STRASEN, THE OKLAHOMAN archive

And maybe that's one reason why the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior has had so much success at Jenks, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Against Enid last year, he powered the Trojans to their 11th state championship.

He's even better in 2007. Adkins rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-7 semifinal win over Midwest City. He had 211 yards in September against Tulsa Union, which is Jenks' opponent in Friday night's Class 6A championship game at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa.

"I'm heavier, and I'm stronger and a little bit faster,” Adkins said. "That's always a plus. I haven't got as many carries as I did last season, so my legs are fresher. I wish I had more yards per carry. That's the only stat I'd like to be better at.”

He has become Jenks quarterback Mark Ginther's wing man. When the Trojans need yards, more often than not they turn to Adkins.

"He's really important because he attracts the defense to him and opens up my stuff,” Ginther said. "Once he gets going, so do I. He makes our offense click.”

Jenks coach Allan Trimble has seen the year-by-year progression in Adkins, a starter for three seasons. He's a better blocker, a better runner and a better kid. Jenks has had a long line of skilled running backs such as Alaska and Kejuan Jones, Josh Fiddler, Freddie Carolina and Rocky Calmus. Trimble said Adkins belongs in the mix with Jenks' best.

"Chris is a great receiver, and he's got great vision,” Trimble said.

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