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By: Chris Evans
In the 2006 season, the Guthrie Bluejay defense was the best in Class 5A, and one of the strongest in the state of Oklahoma. In the 2007 season, the ‘Jays defense appears to be heading in the same direction under the guidance of defensive coordinator Kelly Beeby.
Last season��s defensive group graduated all-staters Darryl Knight and DeMarcus Davis from the Bluejay secondary. Knight and Davis helped the Guthrie defense to hold opponents to 18 straight scoreless quarters at one time during the season that spanned over five games. How about one more intriguing number from the Bluejay state-semi final team? Guthrie played 13 games and 52 quarters, in which, Guthrie did not allow a score in 36 of those quarters.
“I am not a big talk about shutting people out. What I tell those guys is play fast, play physical, and play one play at a time and make the play. The shut out is not the ultimate goal, but it is to play hard on every play,” Beeby said who also serves as linebackers coach.
Interestingly enough, Guthrie allowed 101 points all of last season for just 7.77 points a contest. Also, in the ’06 season as the game moved further along the ‘Jays defense got stronger by allowing only 34 of the 101 points in the second half. Thus far in the 2007 season, Guthrie has allowed 10 points for an average of 3.33 a game, including not allowing a score in the first half. So is their any room for improvement for the 2007 defense?
So far in the 2007 season, the Guthrie D through three games and 12 quarters has allowed 10 points, which occurred against Shawnee in the fourth quarter, have shut out Piedmont and Deer Creek in back-to-back weeks. In the 12 quarters of action, they have 11 shut out quarters, including eight in a row. In addition, Guthrie has allowed 10 points this season to hold opponents to a 3.33 average per game.
Maybe more impressive in the three non-district games, Guthrie has allowed just a total of 89-yards rushing and 240-yards total through the air. Shawnee had two passes of 120-yards to make up half of the passing yards allowed this season.
This year’s version of the Guthrie defense has many of the familiar names. Justin Chappell, Michael Harmon, Jack Dumas, Israel Escoe, Colton Mize, Korey Burgess, and James Day all have returned for senior campaigns along with junior Josh King. Senior Kye Staley continues to get reps on the defensive side as well as Jonathan Washington. Both are key offensive contributors.
Adding to the defensive mix this season has been sophomore safety Jayden Chappell and junior’s defensive end Ty Nichols and cornerback DJ Hughes.
As a defensive unit, Guthrie is allowing 109-yards of total offense a contest, which ranks them second in Class 5A, behind Northwest Classen, in total yards allowed. Guthrie leads 5A in rush defense along with allowing fewest points. The ‘Jays rank sixth against the pass.
“We try to pride ourselves on playing tough run defense so we are going to try and keep doing that and get better every week,” Beeby explained.
King was the leading tackler a year ago, but not far behind were the three linebackers in Chappell, Harmon, and Dumas. Those four players seem to have a nose for the ball and do a great job of executing the fundamentals of tackling.
Linebackers must have a good defensive line just like a running back or quarterback needs an offensive line, and the Guthrie defensive line has played well. Burgess and Mize have clogged the middle while Day, Nichols, and Washington have contained the outside.
“Korey is going to draw double teams and cut blocks all season long no matter who we play,” defensive line coach Eric Woodard said. “We handled Shawnee pretty well and tonight (Deer Creek) was going to be a real challenge cause of their big front, and they (defensive line) accepted the challenge and beat it.”
At times being left out in the mix is shut down cornerback Escoe. Many opponents do not throw in his direction, but when they have Escoe has taken his fair share away including a team high five interceptions a year ago and already has one this season for a touchdown.
Before anyone questions last seasons, or this season’s strength of schedule remember Shawnee and Deer Creek were both ranked when they took on the ‘Jays this season. However, there are some weak teams on the schedule this season and last year, but that should proved to be another compliment for the Guthrie defense of showing up and playing as hard as they do, and play the district schedule that they are handed. In which, is more of a compliment to the Bluejay coaching staff.
Another factor in the great strength of the defense has been the Bluejay offense.
“When our offense is scoring points and keeping the football that helps our defense a lot. You get people down it takes them out of their game plan so it makes it easier to play defense,” Beebe said.
Woodard is quickly to give credit to the Bluejay offensive line.
“Since we do have two separate teams we (defensive line) face our first OL’s (offensive linemen) everyday,” Woodard said.
Guthrie will hit the district portion of the schedule this week when they travel to Harrah. Guthrie won the contest 53-6 in Jelsma Stadium a year ago.