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By: Chris Evans
You want story lines for a Class 5A showdown? You got it. You want a game that has two teams in the Top 10 and is an important game for when it comes down to district standings? Then you got that too.
Top ranked and undefeated Guthrie BlueJays hit the road for the second time this season when they travel over two hours to Ardmore and take on the 7th ranked Tigers at Noble Stadium. Both teams are 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in district play.
The last three times these teams have played have come in the first round of the play-offs with the Jays winning two of the three. The only loss for the 'Jays came, in 2003, at Ardmore.
The last meeting between the two schools was a season ago when Guthrie controlled the game from the beginning to the end with a 61-0 win. Suppose, Ardmore is waiting to get another shot at the defending state champs?
This past summer, Ardmore hired Larry McBroom has their new head coach replacing Mike Loyd. Loyd coached for eight seasons and made the play-offs in all of his eight seasons as the Tigers coach and comprised a record of 67-27 at the tradition rich school that has produced five state titles.
McBroom, who also serves as co-athletic director, brought his 199 career Oklahoma wins to Ardmore and quickly got number 200 in his first game against his alma mater Ada. In fact, McBroom and the Tigers have not loss on the season and have wins against Ada, Duncan, McAlester, and Noble.
In all of the games combined, the Tigers have won by a total of 27-points including a, 20-17, overtime win in Duncan. The biggest win thus far point differential wise was in Week 3 against McAlester with an 18-10 win. Perhaps, their biggest win came a week ago in Noble.
Noble controlled the majority of the game, but Ardmore scored the winning touchdown with :48 left in the game. Noble had one last chance to win on the final play of the game from the 10-yard line, but the pass attempt play was no good.
Returning back to the quarterback spot is junior Reed Downing. Downing as a sophomore threw for over 1250-yards and 15 passing scores. The offensive line averages 245 pounds across the front that includes two sophomores at center and left guard. Leading the way on the line is senior Jacob Reed at left tackle.
The Tigers will use multiple running backs with senior Josiah Custar and sophomore Tree Cohee, but are led by senior Cecil McCarroll. McCarroll had just 23-carries a year ago, but averaged 8-yards per carry.
So far through four weeks of action, Ardmore is averaging 19.75 points a game and allow 13.75 points.
The most points the BlueJay defense has allowed this season is 15 in last weeks game with Durant. Ardmore's highest point total came last week in the win over Noble with 27 points. Meanwhile, the 'Jays are averaging 33-points a contest.
The broadcast of the game can be heard on 105.1 FM and streaming live on GSP.com
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