Guthrie, Weather Impressive

By Chris Evans

 

            Lights, cameras, action!

            The Guthrie Bluejays opened up their 2007 scrimmage Thursday night against McGuiness and Cushing. The most surprising aspect of the night was not the Bluejays dominating on offense and defense, but the nice change in the Oklahoma weather.

            However, Guthrie coaches might argue the point that their team looked pretty darn good in the 75 minute scrimmage. “We did what we expected to do, dominate,” head coach Rafe Watkins said at midfield as his Guthrie squad called up the “Bluejays” and quickly headed to the hamburger stand on Squires Field.

            Watkins stated when they watch film of the scrimmage they will see more positives then negatives. Watkins reminded his team that Ada will come into Jelsma next week and the Cougars will be ready to play.

            Guthrie coming off a 10-3 campaign and one win away from the title game a year ago looked like a team that was very dominating with the defense giving up no touchdowns on the night.

            “I was please with our effort,” defensive coordinator Kelly Beeby said. Beeby and Watkins were quick to bring up Cushing’s biggest play of the night with a run from the tailback up the middle for 39 yards. Each team started their offensive possession from the 40 yard line.

            “We got lazy on the back side, but they had the ball six times on the one inch line and we held them,” Beeby said. “We made some mistakes, but we also played at a high level.”

            Beeby would know about a high level. Guthrie was one of the best defenses in the entire state a year ago and was the highest rated defense in Class 5A.

            The most questionable group heading into the season is the offensive line and who going to open the gaps for the talented backfield. Guthrie returns Jonathan Washington and Greg Hines back to the group, but on this night Guthrie coaches seemed to be pleased with their effort.

            “The offensive line had great pass protection, but we still need to work on the interior part,” Watkins said.

            Guthrie offensive coach Scott Mick was pleased with the effort that he saw from his linemen in the trenches. “This group has a lot of potential and they got better tonight, but still have a ways to go. They will get better,” Mick said.

            In scrimmages scores and stats are not kept, but the offensive play makers made their mark. Quarterbacks Kye Staley and Keaton Callins each had nice nights running and throwing the football while running backs Clayton Smith and Josh King were even more impressive with big runs. Staley’s had a 40-yard run from the first play of the scrimmage against Cushing that seemed effortlessly down the southeast sideline. As expected, the defense was very solid and against a very good club in McGuiness. The Irish are defending state champions in 4A.

             Guthrie spent the entire night on the south side of the 50 yard line. McGuiness, Cushing and Jones rotated throughout the night, but spent the majority of the time on the north side of midfield.

            Guthrie will return to the gridiron Thursday night inside Jelsma Stadium for a 6pm start. Guthrie will watch film on Friday and will start school on Monday where practices will begin at 2:45.

 

Freshmen and Junior Varsity

            Before the varsity hit the field the Guthrie freshmen and junior varsity had their shot. Watkins talked about the junior varsity wanting to work on some depth at offensive line while freshmen head coach Jon Chappell said he saw some good things tonight.

            “Our first team defense played exceptional well and our offensive line looked well at times, but also looked loss at times.”

            Of course, Chappell had a very popular quote that many coaches have said and will say as long as there are scrimmages and games.

            “If we didn’t have anything to work on we couldn’t get any better.”

            Chappell and the freshmen crew will open their season September 4^th at home against Shawnee.

 

Scrimmage Notes:

-         Coach Watkins reported no major injuries from the scrimmage.

-         The Jones Longhorns also took part in the scrimmage, but did not go up against Guthrie.

-         Some noticeable looks: Guthrie put Jonathan Washington on the defensive side of the ball while James Day took some snaps at tight end. Kye Staley also took snaps on the defensive side of the ball at the safety spot.

-         Athletic Director Gary Boxley said that All Sports Passes will be sold next week at the Guthrie-Ada scrimmage. The GHS All Sports Pass will be offered to adults for $50 and students $15. The pass will be valid for all Bluejay athletic events in regular season events.

-         Kudos to the Guthrie Booster Club who not only feed their beloved Bluejays, but Cushing, McGuiness, and Jones. Okay, and one roaming reporter. Thanks Spencer!

-         If you would like to join the Bluejay Booster Club it is $40 for a family and $25 for a single.