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Okay, the headline may be a little deceiving. How dare I say the 2008 season may be more entertaining then the 2007 Dream Season? Well, good luck ever seeing a season like that ever again from any Oklahoma school. However, the 2008 season will be very intriguing in 5A and especially in 5A-2. The parity in 5A is unreal particularly six to ten teams.
5A-2 has six teams that made the play-offs a season ago. Pretty good for an 8-team district, but expecting an average score of 58-6 will not happen this season. The 2008 Guthrie defense will be good, but not 8 shut-outs good. They may be dominating at times, but not 19 straight scoreless quarters dominating good. Josh King is getting the headlines and magazine covers, but by the end of the season Skylar Smith could be on some All-State lists.
The Jays offense will be fun to watch and should continue to put points on the scoreboards across the state. We may have to see this offense out score other teams this season and are capable of doing so. Keaton Callins, Donte' Foster, Clayton Smith, and King would be stars in any offense and the Jays have them in one huddle.
Here are some facts and opinions on each of Guthrie's opponents as we get set for the 2008 season.
Bishop McGuinness
Mascot: Fighting Irish
Head Coach: Kenny Young
Enrollment: 633
2007 Record: 14-0 and 4A State Champs
District Pick: No. 1 in 4A-1
Last Meeting: 2005 Guthrie won 10-6
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Perhaps the game of the week that will be broadcasted by television, radio, and two newspapers this game will feature state champion vs state champion. McGuinness enters Jelsma Stadium with a 28-game winning streak and the Jays carry a 14-game win streak.
The game will have plenty of emotions with not only the contest, but pre-game ceremonies in remembrance of Tyler Nichols. His dad, Phil, will present the game ball to the captains and what I believe will be an offensive showcase.
Both offense's may be way ahead of the defenses. Which is usually the other way around, but both defenses have a lot of questions and new faces. Meanwhile, the quarterback will have star power with seniors Keaton Callins and Ryan Randolph. Both competed in the Quarterback Challenge this summer as two of the Top 20 QB's in the state.
The Irish will bring, D-1 prospect, Gabe Ikard, but the Jays will counter with their own star power.
Guthrie 31-20
El Reno
Mascot: Indians
Head Coach: Tom Cobble
Enrollment: 743
2007 Record: 3-7
District Pick: No. 6 in 5A-1
Last Meeting: 2007 Guthrie won 51-7
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The biggest news for the El Reno Indians in the off season was they bring back coach Tom Cobble back to the tribe. Cobble coached the Indians for 8 seasons ('79-'87) and took them to the play-offs seven times including a state runner-up in 1981 which including two wins over the BlueJays that season.
Cobble and the Indians may not make the play-offs this season in 5A-1, but will soon be back on the rise. The offense will start with sophomore quarterback Jakeil Everhart and a host of running backs. The defense should be better, but Guthrie is to strong in Week 2.
Guthrie 38-12
Piedmont
Mascot: Wildcats
Head Coach: Trinity Johnson
Enrollment: 547
2007 Record: 0-10
District Pick: No. 7 in 4A-1
Last Meeting: 2006 Guthrie won 23-7
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The Wildcats were winless a season ago, but coach Trinity Johnson believes the play-offs are possible if the injury bug stays off campus.
Piedmont returns running back Evan Heath and will be the primary focus on offense and teammate Scott Morrow is the anchor on defense. The Wildcats open up with rival Deer Creek at home and go to Harrah the following week. Piedmont will need to find a win in the first two games if they want a win in the non-district because the Jays are to strong for the third year in a row.
Guthrie 44-8
Durant
Mascot: Lions
Head Coach: Byron Cordell
Enrollment: 799
2007 Record: 7-4
District Pick: No. 4 in 5A-2
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Welcome to the West side of the state and welcome to 5A-2 Durant Lions. Durant will come into a Homecoming atmosphere inside Jelsma Stadium in a huge game for both squads to get that most important first district win. Durant will try and steal a road game away with Max White. White was one of the top receivers in the state, but may have to move to the quarterback slot.
White is not the only offensive threat with running back Tyler Fields returning off a 700-yard rushing season that included eight scores. Durant will have to stay injury free in a tough district and a tough schedule with Mcalester, Ada, and then the 5A-2 schedule.
Durant allowed 26 points a game last season and look for the Jays to put some points on the board in this one.
Guthrie 42-17
Ardmore
Mascot: Tigers
Head Coach: Larry McBroom
Enrollment: 753
2007 Record: 6-5
District Pick: No. 5 in 5A-2
Last Meeting: 2007 Guthrie won 61-0
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Tradition-rich Ardmore brought in legendary coach Larry McBroom into 5A-2 and he inherits a team that may have one of the toughest schedules in the entire state. Ardmore fans will have this game circled on their calendar when Guthrie comes to town.
The Tigers and BlueJays have had classic games in the past. Guthrie has won two of the last three games in the series and this game will be just as big.
Ardmore returns quarterback Reed Downing who threw for over 1200-yards as does Shawn Smith on the defensive line. The Tigers are projected to miss the play-offs in a tough district, but to count the Tigers out already would be a mistake.
Guthrie takes care of business, but Ardmore takes the Jays to the 4th quarter.
Guthrie 33-24
Harrah
Mascot: Panthers
Head Coach: Greg Willis
Enrollment: 696
2007 Record: 3-7
District Pick: No. 7 in 5A-2
Last Meeting: 2007 Guthrie won 68-0
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Harrah Panthers continue to land in Class 5A and will be over matched in majority of the district games, but the Panthers are improved and have more athlete's coming out for football.
As usual the offensive and defensive lines will be the solid points for Harrah and will be interesting to watch the trenches against Guthrie.
However, Harrah will have a new running back and quarterback. The Panthers will sneak a win somewhere that people will not be expecting, but it will not come against the Jays inside Jelsma.
Guthrie 47-0
Carl Albert
Mascot: Titans
Head Coach: Gary Rose
Enrollment: 1033
2007 Record: 10-2
District Pick: No. 1 in 5A-2
Last Meeting: 2007 Guthrie won 24-21
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Here we go again! District title perhaps on the line, once again in Midwest City, and everyone in the state will be watching and listening. Trust me when I say this. Carl Albert has this game circled in RED and will be waiting for the Jays to get off the bus and walk out on to their stadium. The same stadium Guthrie walked out of with the district title a year ago.
Carl Albert will be loaded defensively with three of the four secondary members D-1 prospects led by Daytawion Lowe, Ozell Littleton, and Travante Porter. The biggest prospect returns in David Oku at running back. JT Realmuto takes over at quarterback in the new revamp Titan offense.
A Great Game....you thought I was going to pick this game in August?
Shawnee
Mascot: Wolves
Head Coach: Billy Brown
Enrollment: 1229
2007 Record: 8-4
District Pick: No. 3 in 5A-2
Last Meeting: 2007 Guthrie won 61-34
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Move over Tucker time for little brother Braley Brown to take his shot at the Jays. This classic rival game has not let down over the last few years. Guthrie has won the last three contests by an average score of 40-17, but the last time the Wolves were in the same district, as Guthrie, they won the district (2005).
Shawnee will have all-around athlete Brett Davis to showcase at either quarterback, or wide receiver. He and Brayley Brown have shared snaps in the pre-season, but expect Davis to touch the ball a lot no matter where he lines up.
The Wolves are solid on defense with Austin Winsett, Jon Carter, and Keldin Choat. October will be interesting for the Wolves with Carl Albert, Durant, Ardmore, Guthrie, and Noble. However, expect the Wolves in the play-offs.
Shawnee would loved to come into Guthrie and spoil Senior Night, but Guthrie comes away with the win, but nothing like the two games last season.
Guthrie 24-21
Capitol Hill
Mascot: Redskins
Head Coach: Darrell Peterson
Enrollment: 900
2007 Record: 2-8
District Pick: No. 8 in 5A-2
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Capitol Hill named Darrell Peterson as their coach, in late August, and inherits a team that won just 2-games last season. The two wins is the most for the program since 1999. The Redskins will be picked toward the bottom of 5A and likely an underdog in all, but maybe one of their games.
Wins may not be the primary focus for the Redskins. After five seasons of not winning a game they have won 3-games each in the last two seasons.
Guthrie takes care of business
Guthrie 52-0
Noble
Mascot: Bears
Head Coach: Ray Crawley
Enrollment: 820
2007 Record: 6-5
District Pick: No. 6 in 5A-2
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Week 10 and this game may be huge for Noble trying to find a play-off spot in one of the state's toughest districts.
Noble will return eight starters including the entire backfield and four O-linemen. Thomas McElhaney and Thomas Rollins are names the Jays are familiar with along with quarterback Chad Davidson.
The Bears defense allowed 24-points a game in a season where they defeated Shawnee. Noble will win games they are not suppose to win and play opponents closer then years past. Guthrie wins, but what a year makes in this one.
Guthrie 33-17
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