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By: Chris Evans
The much talked about, most anticipated game in Class 5A is on the front step of Oklahoma High School football. The game showcases No.1 vs. No. 2 for the district championship Friday night: Guthrie - Carl Albert.
Dating back to 1989, the top-ranked Carl Albert Titans have won 9 state titles, seven of which have been under the direction of legendary head coach Gary Rose. During this span, the Titans have added four district championships, and, of course, won the gold ball last year. Seven titles in 12 years would have to be considered a dynasty.
Rose has been involved in an uncountable amount of big games over his career, and yet another is on the horizon when Guthrie and Carl Albert hook up for the district title on Harris Field, in Midwest City, come Friday night . Carl Albert won the district a year ago by handing the Bluejays a 26-21 heart stopping defeat, and later finished their sweep by defeating Lawton MacArthur in the State finals for Rose’s seventh gold ball.
Much the same as a year ago, the game will feature great athletes on both sides of the ball. Senior Kye Staley, an Oklahoma State commitment, will try and land Guthrie’s first ever district championship under the guidance of Bluejay head coach Rafe Watkins. Despite having missed two games to an ankle injury, Titan standout tailback, David Oku, is one of the top rushers in the state. His coach has been quoted as saying that he may not be 100% healthy, but believes he will be ready to go Friday.
Both coaches understand what each other has as far as weapons.
“Kye is one of the best players I have seen in a long time. He can run the ball and he can throw the ball. We have a lot of respect for him and his teammates,” Rose said.
“Oku is that once in a life time back. He’s special. I don’t know if you ever shut him down. I have been coaching for 17 years and I don’t know if I have seen as an explosive kid as he is,” Watkins said.
But, as talented as Oku is, Coach Watkins knows that Carl Albert has other playmakers on the field.
“I still say their best football player is Joe Stoner. As much as I say good things about Oku, I would still take Stoner ‘cause he is a complete player. The difference being he can not change the game in one play where as Oku can,” Watkins stated.
Stoner was moved from the quarterback spot prior to the season making way for Robert Kizer to take over as the signal caller. Many believed that replacing a quarterback who just led his team to a state title was a difficult chore, and an interesting decision to make. Not Rose.
“It was an easy decision ‘cause it was what’s best for the team. Robert is still learning the passing game, but his biggest strength is his speed. We moved Joe for the purpose of helping our football team, and having Robert at quarterback gives us that other option we did not have with Joe,” Rose said of the switch.
Carl Albert’s offense averages 369 yards a game, 280 of which have come courtesy of their powerful ground attack.. Oku leads the team with 983 yards rushing averaging 9 yards a carry to go along with 12 touchdowns.
The Titan offense will be up against the stingiest defense they will have faced this year. Guthrie allows only 25 yards rushing a game, but, one would think that number will change when the Bluejay defense faces off with the Titan offense.
The Guthrie offense will be up against a Titan defense that allows just 185 yards of offense, including 134 yards rushing per game. Leading the Titan defense are linebackers Tyler Berle and Zach Aylor. Berle leads the team with 64 tackles with Aylor right behind him with 64 stops.
Tre Porter leads the way for the secondary with five interceptions, two of which he has returned for touchdowns. 9 different players have an interception.
The Titan defense will have the task of stopping a Bluejay offense that averages 396 yards of offense and 272 yards rushing per game.
The difference in the game could come down to the team who can throw the ball most effectively, which in turn might open up the running games. Carl Albert averages 88 yards a game as compared to Guthrie who averages 124 yards through the air.
Hot 93.7 FM KSPI will have the call of the game with Chris Evans, Casey Porter, Chris LeGrande, and Craig Fleck. Pre-game begins at 7:00 and will have an extensive post game show following the game.
For more analysis and statements from Rafe Watkins and Gary Rose please visit the Guthrie Sports Page podcast page at www.guthriesportspage@mypodcast.com.