by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)4/11/2018 10:28:13 AM
posted in: App News | 2,647 views
Right off the top, I should apologize to Allan Trimble. Broken Arrow upended Jenks 24-23 in 2002, and I was one of the first spectators on the field at Hunter Dwelley Stadium to celebrate the Tigers’ victory.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise but back in my days at Broken Arrow High School, I was no fan of the Jenks Trojans. So when BA’s Marcus Colbert blocked Jenks’ point-after attempt in overtime, and then Tiger kicker Brandon Hawkins booted through the winning point after Jason Ray hauled in the game-tying TD, I was ecstatic.
It was one of only eight home losses for Trimble since he took over more than two decades ago. And the next home loss for Jenks will be on someone else’s watch with Trimble expected to announce his retirement on Thursday, as first reported by the Tulsa World.
The earliest recollections I had of Jenks football were the Bobby Klinck days when the Trojans would demolish Broken Arrow at old Kirkland Stadium. So all I knew when Broken Arrow upset Jenks in 2002 was that I was witnessing something rare.
The same remains true today: Broken Arrow beating Jenks is still uncommon. In fact, it’s a rarity for most teams to knock off Jenks.
Trimble has made sure of it.
For 22 seasons, Trimble has turned Jenks into whatever the word is that exceeds powerhouse. Jenks football is excellence. Nothing short of unmatched, unparalleled superiority.
There’s been the 242-41 record. Unreal.
There’s been the 13 state championships. Unbelievable.
There’s been the kind of dynasty that has forced the west side of the state to throw its collective hands up and attempt to reduce Jenks’ playing field to just itself and Union.
That’s succeeding to the highest degree.
Bill Blankenship, an iconic high school football coach in Oklahoma himself, summed up Trimble’s influence perfectly.
“I believe Coach Trimble’s eternally positive impact in the lives of his players and coaches far outweighs his iconic career that others measured with trophies and W’s,” Blankenship tweeted. “Thank you Coach!”
Blankenship’s words ring even truer these day. It wasn’t long ago that Trimble was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease — a deflating diagnosis that has demoralized those who have been affected by it. But Trimble has been a beacon of positivity, never letting the terminal illness get the better of him.
After all, he’s made a living of coaching high school football players to not let opponents get the better of them.
One thing is for sure: Trimble will be missed among the high school football ranks. An elite coach that is only outdone by his character and personality. What we can all do now is join Team Trimble and give him unwavering support as his continues to fight ALS.