Bluejays come howling in Shawnee

By: Chris Evans

Guthrie’s seventh year head coach Rafe Watkins was absolutely correct in his pre-game comments. Shawnee senior defensive back Forrest Reed was on the complete opposite end of his statements prior to his opening game of the 2007 season.

            Friday night’s game between the second ranked Guthrie Bluejays and ninth ranked Shawnee Wolves was primed for a great opening game debut with two top 10 teams, but the ‘Jays took all the drama out of the contest early and often by defeating Shawnee 42-10 in the 2007 season opener.

            Shawnee managed to score their points in the fourth quarter as the majority of the estimated crowd of 3,500 were long gone before the Wolves got on the score board inside Jim Thorpe Stadium.

            Guthrie would jump out quickly to a 7-0 lead, in fact, four plays and less than two minutes quickly. Senior Kye Staley on his first carry of the night took the snap and went down the Shawnee sideline, and before the Wolves knew what had hit them Staley had a 57-yard touchdown. Senior Israel Escoe had a key block to free Staley at the 20-yard line. The score would stay 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

            Guthrie would put three more scores on the board before the half, and at the same time Shawnee and future opponents saw yet another weapon the Bluejays will have in their arsenal. Junior back-up quarterback Keaton Callins came into the game and delivered not one, but two throwing touchdowns and would run for another before the night would conclude.

            Callins first passing touchdown of the night gave the Bluejays a 14-0 lead when he hooked up with junior wide receiver Donte’ Foster for a 15-yard touchdown. Callins would finish the night five of seven passing for 43-yards, in which, two of the five completions were touchdowns. Staley had 122 rushing yards on 10 carries.

            Guthrie would get into the end zone when Staley scampered in from nine yards out, but a penalty brought the ball back to the 14-yard line, and Staley scored on the next play to give Guthrie a 21-0 lead. Shawnee was in disbelief and trying to figure out what had landed in town.

            The final score of the first half came on a four play drive resulting in a Staley to Foster connection from 9-yards out. By the end of the half not only was the scoreboard lopsided, but the stats as well. Guthrie had amassed 268 yards of offense while Shawnee was able to muster 69 yards total. In all, Guthrie would finish with 333 yards of offense.

            Shawnee head coach Billy Brown stated that the Bluejays gave him the worse beating he has ever had both on the score board and physically.

            Callins would be responsible for the last two Bluejay scores of the evening. In the third quarter, Callins sought out Foster for a 7-yard touchdown reception, and a fourth quarter scampered and lowered his pads for 6-yard run to give Guthrie a 42-0 lead with 11 minutes to play.

            Shawnee managed only 30-yards rushing and 23 attempts. In fact, Shawnee had 211-yards of offense with 134 of those coming in the fourth quarter, and 120 of those 134 were on two plays. Wolves quarterback Brett Davis was 13-19 in the throwing department for 176 yards.

            Watkins had said earlier in his pre-game radio address that Guthrie was the better team going into the contest, but that the best teams don’t always win. However, on this night the best team indeed not only proved it, but did it in dominating fashion.

            Shawnee’s Reed said, in last week’s edition of the Oklahoman, that no one was picking them to win the game and that there was going to be an upset. The first part of the statement was true and that indeed Guthrie was the favorite, but the second part? Oops!

            Guthrie will hit the practice field this week and prepare for the Piedmont Wildcats, who come to town Friday night to take on the ‘Jays. Piedmont dropped their season opener to rival Deer Creek, 40-0.

 

Game Notes:

 

• Guthrie quarterbacks Staley and Callins combined were 8-11 (73%) for 88-yards.  Staley had one pass interception at the goal line.

 

• Guthrie had a tremendous execution of an onside kick that resulted in a Bluejay score. Senior kicker J Hensley executed the onside kick of 12-yards and recovered the live ball and Guthrie took over in Shawnee territory. The Wolves and everyone in the stadium never saw it coming.

 

• Hensley was perfect on the night in PAT’s by going 6-6.

 

• Watkins, who picked up his 53rd Bluejay victory, in his post game radio interview said it was the best opening game performance his team has had in Guthrie.

 

• Foster had just three catches on the night. Although, all three were for touchdowns of 9, 15, and 7-yards.

           

• Shawnee had 10 penalties for 90 yards which included multiple personal fouls. Guthrie had Shawnee frustrated early and often as the ‘Jays took it to the Wolves. Meanwhile, Guthrie had four penalties.

 

• Offensive line had many questions heading into the season opener and against the Wolves showed a lot of promise and potential. Jonathan Washington, Stanton Stevenson, Josh Taft, Stephen Smith, and Greg Hines were up against a big Shawnee defensive line and were able to hold off blocks for a good part of the night.