2009 Opponent Preview: El Reno Indians

 

2009 Opponent Preview: El Reno Indians

 

GuthrieSporsPage.com previews each of Guthrie's 2009 opponents.

 

Guthrie, Okla. -- As the BlueJays prepare for the upcoming football season, GuthrieSportsPage.com prepares you with everything you'll need to know about the opposition.
 
In the coming weeks, we will take an in-depth look at each of Guthrie's 2009 opponents with stat breakdowns, players to watch and keys to the game. Next, the El Reno Indians on September 11th, at Jelsma Stadium, in Guthrie.
 

Homecoming 2009, in Guthrie, will be very interesting as both teams won 10 games last season. The Jays handled the Indians in Week 2 last year (35-0), but the Jays coaching staff was not happy with the effort.

El Reno is looking for more respect, despite winning their district (5A-1) and winner's of 9 of their last 11 games last season. Indian's could gain the respect with a win inside Jelsma Stadium. The Indians had just six seniors on last years roster.

Guthrie and El Reno are no longer in the same district, but this will have a district game feel and may be a play-off game come November.

Season Outlook

El Reno returned back to the play-off's last season after sitting out the last few years (3-7 in 2007) and second year head coach Tom Cobble had a lot to do with that. The result has the Indians in many Top 5 pre-season polls.

Cobble has led the Indians to their best seasons ever back in 1981 (state runner-ups) in his first coaching stint and then last season lost to the eventual state champions (Booker T.) in the semi's.

El Reno will be tested, once again, for the district title with Lawton Mac and will have the advantage with returning players in a talented senior group, who have gathered experience over the last two seasons.
 

Player to Watch

Jakeil Everheart | QB | Senior

One of the most talented quarterbacks, in 5A, returns for his senior season. The multi-threat Everheart threw for over 1300-yards and rushed 751-yards while piling up 26 scores.
 
Other Key Players: Cody Dauphin, Cory Dauphin, Devante Moore, Matthew Pruitt

Key vs. El Reno's Offense

The Indian offense, no question, will go through the arm and legs of Everheart. The shifty signal caller is the only Indian to score on the Jays in the last two seasons.

Everheart's arm strength improved from his sophomore to junior season and should expect the same again this year as the offense goes as he does. Jays will have to contain Everheart in the box.
 

Key vs. El Reno's Defense

The Dauphin brothers are not only tough on the wrestling mat, but the gridiron as well. The Jays had the most success in the passing game in last year's win, but the Jays will have to move the ball on the ground this year to win.

El Reno allowed more yards in the air then on the ground last season, but the Jays are not proven in the passing department quite yet.
 

Game Implications

El Reno wants respect in 5A among the big boys and the Jays want to attain one of their biggest goals every year and that is win all games played inside Jelsma Stadium.