The Synopsis

King of the Mountain, a 90 minute documentary film, focuses on the rivalry between the Union and Jenks high school football teams. The film follows these two local teams through the entirety of the 2003 season, including game highlights as well as compelling interviews with both players and coaches. Throughout the season, the film focuses on three players from each team: two from the varsity squad, while the third is a talented player from middle school who has aspirations to one day start for the varsity team. The players’ stories are personal and compelling, a testament to the trials of sports and life. The intent is not to simply follow individual players, but to show the effect of the rivalry on the entire community. Fan commentary and interviews, as well as frank discussions with past players, brings the viewer an insight into the long-running, yet close-knit rivalry. The film reveals the playful, and serious, nature of the competition within the two communities and highlights its effect on the players. The film will be entered in various independent film festivals throughout the country, including Telluride, Montreal and Toronto.

The Rivalry

The 6A Jenks Trojans and Union Redskins from Tulsa, Oklahoma - a high school football rivalry so exciting, it’s played in a college stadium and averages over 35,000 fans. When speaking of the Jenks and Union game, Don Collins of USA Today says, “Texas has its share of storied high school rivalries. Ohio and Florida, too. But none can be more emotional, more delicious than this one.”

For the last seven years, the Jenks Trojans have been near the top in USA Today’s "Top 25 High School Teams". During this time, coach Allan Trimble’s Trojans have won a staggering 6 state championships in a row. Jenks has also had over thirty players go on to play Division I football and six play professional football. Between 1996 and 2001, Trimble’s record was 79-4, and he was named the 2002 National High School Football Coach of the Year.

The Union Redskins are an adjacent school district and have also been a regular in USA Today’s "Top 25". In 2002, Union ranked 5th in the nation at season’s end. However, while Union has had success against Jenks in their annual regular season match up, Union has been unable to beat Jenks when it has mattered most. In 1998, 1999 and 2000, Union met Jenks in the 6A state championship - only to lose each time.

The 2003 season was especially exciting. In 2002, Jenks did not make the state championship for the first time in 6 years. Union did... crushing their opponent 52-3, and giving Union their first state championship in 4 tries. Yet, some said the championship was bitter sweet because it did not include a win against Jenks. The movie follows the teams throughout the 2003 season, with Jenks hoping to be back in championship form, and Union expecting to defend its title. King of the Mountain was there for every play!