In a preseason scrimmage, the Enid Plainsmen staked out a 13-0 lead in the first period against perennial power Jenks.

“They were beating the tar out of us,’’ said Jenks coach Allan Trimble.

Jenks went on to win that two-quarter scrimmage 17-13, but the Plainsmen realized that August night they could play with one of the top teams in the state.

“That gave our kids confidence that we could play with them,’’ said Enid coach Tom Cobble.

Fast forward 14 weeks. Enid and Jenks square off again Saturday night in the Class 6A state championship game at Skelly Stadium.

The Plainsmen will be taking on one of the true juggernauts of high school football in Oklahoma. Jenks has won seven of the last 10 state championships.

“I don’t know how to explain (the success),’’ said Trimble. “I wish I knew. I’d write a book and be in South Florida right now.

“But really it’s about staying focused on ourselves. We don’t worry about things that are out of our control. We don’t even talk about winning. We just try to focus on the job at hand.’’

The Trojans won six straight state titles from 1996 to 2001. During one stretch, Jenks won 40 straight games. Last season, Jenks lost in the first round of the playoffs to Sapulpa.

Based just on recent success, many observers have Jenks favored against the Plainsmen. But Trimble said Enid’s season somewhat resembles Jenks’ season in 2003.

“We got drubbed by Union and Broken Arrow in the regular season,’’ said Trimble. “We finished 7-3, and then we got hot and won it. It’s all about playing well at the right time.’’

Jenks has been a hotbed of high school talent over the years. The alumni includes former greats like Rocky Calmus, Lawrence Pinson, Andy Sixkiller, Garrett Mills, Sean Mahan, Jerry Wisne, Corey Callens, Jason Lohr, Brad Hawkins, Justin Dixon, Bobby Klinck and Kejuan Jones, to name just a few.

Trimble said Jenks does not have many Division I recruits this season. Free safety Timmy Dial verbally has committed to Arkansas and end Tanner Shuck has been offered by Rice.

Running back Chris Adkins leads the team in rushing with 1,150 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Quarterback Mark Ginther has completed 176 of 281 passes (62 percent) for 2,029 yards and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions.

The top receivers are Eric Davis, with 33 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns, and Stephen Campbell, who has 30 catches for 374 yards and six scores.

The Trojans are averaging 36.5 points a game while allowing 13.1 points a game.

The defense is led by linebacker Chance Robbins (128 tackles) and defensive end Shuck (120 tackles).

Enid and Jenks have played five common opponents, with varying results.

Against Tulsa Union, the Plainsmen got whipped 49-14 and Jenks won 9-6.

Against Broken Arrow, Enid lost 24-9 and Jenks won 17-0 early in the season and 28-7 in the playoffs.

Against Owasso, Enid won 35-14 and Jenks won 34-0.

Against Bartlesville, Enid won 35-14 and Jenks won 52-7.

For Enid, one score against a common opponent sticks out. Against Booker T. Washington, Jenks lost 43-37 in triple overtime and Enid won 34-12 in the first round of the playoffs.

But as noted last week, outcomes against common foes can be deceiving. Enid lost to Union, but Austin Box sat out about half the game with a dislocated elbow. Enid lost to Broken Arrow, but Box and several other top players were injured and did not play.

“I don’t pay any attention to that kind of stuff,’’ said Trimble. “It really doesn’t mean anything. There are too many factors that figure into it.’’