After convincing themselves the 0-3 start was along the line of a fluke, Muskogee looks to convince itself that 20 consecutive on the field losses against Jenks is enough.

Lots of mental work there. None of the current players were born when the Roughers did that last, a 29-28 win in 1992. The Trojans’ 34-6 win in 2008 was later forfeited due to player eligibility issues involving Jarrett Lake, the former OU recruit.

Convincing is all MHS coach Josh Blankenship – who was in elementary school the last time the Roughers won in this series – has been up to since going winless in the non-district portion of the schedule, and it’s paid off with a win at Southmoore and last week’s near-win against Broken Arrow.

He’s also convinced that an offense which had 13 turnovers in those first three weeks can play with anyone, especially after the 17-play pressure cooker of a drive against Broken Arrow which had it not been for a blocked extra point, could have served as the game-winning touchdown with under a minute to play.

It’s beating those teams that is still to be done. The No. 5 Tigers went on to win in overtime, 33-26.

“I had a lot more friends this week,” said quarterback Trevor Jiles. “People at school who were telling me I wasn’t very good were giving me high-fives. That’s pretty opposite of what it was a few weeks ago.

“But to get a win (against Southmoore) then go and have a drive like that without mistakes on the part of the offense against a team like we played, it’s a big boost of confidence.”

Moral victories may feel good, but they don’t count in the District 6A-3 standings where Jenks comes in at 4-1, 2-0, same as Broken Arrow, and the Roughers are 1-4, 1-1.

To build on it, first, Muskogee must eliminate penalties. There was one on the final drive but not like there were early in the game as a mix of flags, mostly false starts, plagued other drives.

Also of concern is a Jenks defensive front led by Ashton Henderson (6-1, 315) and Orion Jones (6-2, 270), two bona fide Division I players.

“They do things that make it difficult for teams like us that run zone and power, with bodies up front they can dismantle everything you’re trying to do,” Blankenship said.

Double-teams are a must and that’s where guards Dillon Rice and Tristan Watson will come in. Rice, who started the year just as a defensive tackle has played increasingly at strong side guard and Watson’s time has also increased. Depending on the direction of the play they’ll either be double-teaming with Dale Ford at center or with the tackles (Nigel Harris, J.B. Clark or Dexter McGriff) on the Jenks ends.

Both Watson and Rice are confident in their abilities.

“I’m more comfortable with my footwork now,” he said. “I’m quicker, moving faster on my steps and getting lower. Our double-teams have to work against those guys.”

“Coach (Jess) Allen wants you to play dirty, by that I mean smashmouth style,” he said. “We’ve embraced that. There isn’t anyone up front that won’t hit you in the mouth and we’re developing a trust in each other.”

Good news for the quarterback.

(Ashton and Orion) are really good players,” Jiles said. “Definitely those guys in front of me have to show up. Southmoore was maybe a little better than BA but we showed up to play our game we’ll do well up front. And that will definitely help me do my job better.”

On offense, Jenks running back Alex Ross, ranked atop several publications as the state’s top player, sprained an ankle in the preseason. The majority of the offensive load has been Trey’Vonne Barr’e, although Ross had four carries for 72 yards in the 54-3 win over Putnam City West last week.