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By: Chris Evans
Guthrie head coach Rafe Watkins informed the Booster Club, in their first meeting of the season, that KSBI-TV (Channel 9 locally) has picked up the Guthrie BlueJays in the season opener, on September 5th, with Bishop McGuinness as the High School Game of the Week. Guthrie is now scheduled for at least two televisions games this season.
Many people around the state has Guthrie-McGuinness as the biggest game of Week 1 of the high school football season and why not.
Both teams are coming off state championship seasons from a year ago and McGuinness is coming off two state titles in Class 4A. It will be a battle of the 28-game winning streak, of McGuinness, and the 14-game winning streak of the BlueJays.
"It's exciting to have two defending champs going against each other so early in the season, and personally, I'm looking forward to seeing the renovated stadium up close and personal," KSBI sideline reporter Chris Johnson said.
Robert Allen and "Coach" Bob Cortese will have the call of the game in the booth. Johnson, who is the Station Manager of Triple Play Sports (105.1 FM) and the radio home of Guthrie Athletics, said they missed out on Guthrie last season, but did not go unnoticed.
"We've (KSBI TV) carried McGuinness a handful of times over the last two years and watched as Kenny Young (McGuinness head coach) and his staff have built the Irish program into one of the top programs in the state, regardless of class," Johnson said in an email to Guthrie Sports Page.
"Unfortunately, we've missed out on the BlueJays the last two seasons, but what Coach Watkins and company have done with the program has certainly not gone unnoticed."
Johnson and perhaps many in the state are curious of what Guthrie can do coming off their title season.
"One of the most interesting aspects of this game, for both teams, will be replacing key contributors from last year's squads. Obviously, the Bluejays will be looking to replace Kye Staley's production, but beyond that, it's always interesting to me to see which guys step up and really fill the leadership void created by the players who departed," Johnson said.
Cox Communications (Channel 7 locally) released their football television package earlier this summer and will put the Jays back in prime time. Guthrie will take on Carl Albert, in Week 7, in what many are predicting another match-up for perhaps a district title.
Guthrie BlueJay Football on the radio:
Triple Play Sports radio, 105.1 FM and streaming live on the internet, will carry all Guthrie Football games with pre-game and post game shows starting at 7pm.
Triple Play Sports picked up Guthrie athletics prior to the 2007-2008 basketball season and broadcasted over 20 games in the regular season and every play-off game that the Lady Jays and BlueJays played in. Throughout the winter season, Triple Play had the Guthrie Coaches Show every Wednesday night.
Triple Play carried BlueJay Baseball as well in both the regular and post season.
"The Guthrie Football, and overall athletic program is certainly one that Bluejay fans can take an immense deal of pride in," Johnson said.
"Obviously, last year was a special season across the board with multiple gold balls being captured. The community support and interest in Guthrie is absolutely tremendous and has a lot to do with the on-field success. We're thrilled to have Guthrie BlueJay & Lady Jay athletics on TriplePlay Sports Radio and look forward to continuing to highlight the efforts of Guthrie's athletic programs."
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