Oh, There’s More “O”

By: Chris Evans

 

            It will be not be a secret for the Guthrie Bluejays opponents or coaches in the 2007 season. Opponents will know when the Guthrie offense breaks huddle and arrives to the line of scrimmage there will be other concerns besides that number one jersey.

            No question during the practice week teams will talk about senior Kye Staley and his ability to slice through a defense like a scalding knife through butter. However, junior running back Clayton Smith averaged over five yards a carry and came on strong toward the end of the season. He will be joined by his junior counter part Josh King, who did not play offense last season because of the depth in the backfield. King will be a major threat when he has the ball. Right, Bixby?

            Bluejay running backs Smith and King both will help carry the load for Staley in the upcoming season. Guthrie will have four playmakers in the backfield. Junior Doyle Hammons has returned to the squad this week and rounds out the running attack. Staley can out run, out juke, and take you one on one. Smith will put a bruising on you, and when King finds his way into the secondary he will be hard to catch and bring down. Hammons if you can find him is lighting quick. So how about 1-2-3-4 Punch?

            While Staley is number one on the depth chart at quarterback and will receive majority of the snaps this season another Jay will get some time as well. Junior Keaton Callins will also be a signal caller for the highly ranked Jays. Callins allows the Bluejays to move Staley to either running back or receiver whatever the game plan might call for, or when adjustments may be needed. A lot of coaches in the state would like to have two quarterbacks as a luxury that Guthrie will institute this season.

            “I have all the faith in the world in him,” Watkins said about Callins. “He is going to play a lot of meaningful time. How much? I don’t know. I thought he did a real nice job of moving us down the field tonight (against Ada).”

Defensive coaches will want to stack that box and stop the run first, which is the same philosophy of Watkins when it comes to stopping an offense. Guthrie likes and will spread the field offensively and will show multiple receivers and formations. The “skinny linemen” as receivers coach Ric Meshew calls his receiving group will be lead by senior Kent McDonald.

            McDonald brought in over 20 catches with five of those for touchdowns while piling up over 300 yards lead the team in both of those categories. McDonald has been labeled as an All-State receiver in 5A according to The Kickoff Magazine. Other threats along with McDonald are basketball stand-out Donte’ Foster and Israel Escoe.

            Meshew has really enjoyed watching the progress of Foster in the off season.

            “I can see a big difference in him. He was a little hesitant (last year as a sophomore). This year as a junior he is a little more confident. His speed has really improved so I look at him as a guy that can beat some people deep down the hatch.”

            Guthrie will have to replace all-stater and tight end Darryl Knight. Senior James Day will look to fill in that position early in the season. Jacob Woods and Skyler Smith will also get some reps at the tight end spot.

            “Right now we have some tendencies that we are giving up, but we don’t have that type of build this year like we did with Darryl Knight,” Watkins said. “James and Skyler would be the perfect tight end.”

            For the Guthrie offensive formula to be successful as it wants to be in November and December, the Jays will need the big men up front in the trenches to have the season that they want. Watkins led teams have always wanted, first and foremost, to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and with just two returning starters, and three new linemen to the varsity offensive line that will not change his mindset.

            “That’s what we want to do and that is our philosophy,” Watkins said.

Guthrie will work with senior Jonahtan Washington and sophomore Stanton Stevenson on the left side of the line. Senior Josh Taft will be at center along with long snapping duties, and the right side of the offensive line will feature seniors Stephen Smith and Greg Hines.

            Last season Guthrie was fifth in 5A in total offense with nearly 340 yards per game while averaging 258 yards on the ground and 80 in the air. Guthrie averaged 34 points a contest.

            Offensively for the 2007 Jays they will need their inexperience offensive line to keep improving each week. Offensive line coach Scott Mick says they are doing just that with each passing week. The line does not have to be an overpowering group each and every week, but just needs to hold off their blocks just long enough for a 1-2-3-4 punch to make past the line of scrimmage.

 

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