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There is no doubt that Guthrie has squarely
put itself on the map in
Oklahoma
High School
football. There have been many surprises
throughout the years of BlueJay football, so, let’s address a
few:
 Not a surprise:
High School football fans are about to come out of their skin in
anticipation for the upcoming season.
Surprise: So many Guthrie fans are
surprised at how crazy this community has become over BlueJay
football.
I’ve talked with several long standing
members of this fine community and many of them tell stories
about how Guthrie has always gotten excited about other sports
at times, but football never really generated the excitement
that it deserved.
Do these people have bad memories
or is this true? Well, think back to what the
stands looked like on football Fridays in many of the past
years. Furthermore, think back to what the visiting
stands looked like when Guthrie was on the road. Pre-state title
days of course.
My verdict: Football in
Guthrie has gone from a pretty big deal to a monstrously huge
deal. It seems that in the past, many Guthrie folk viewed each
season with a touch of optimism, and a whole world of
skepticism. Needless to say, those days are long gone.
In the present, Guthrie fans view each season with
incredible optimism and just a tiny fraction of skepticism.
What has changed this? Let’s think back to the years since 2001, and look at some team
accomplishments. Guthrie has compiled two state
titles, one district title, has a winning record over everybody
in the district, including a stretch of domination over Carl
Albert, and has made the playoffs every year but one.
Our
Bluejays have produced the best statistical offense and defense
that 5A has ever seen, and has become a mainstay to have at
least a couple games televised each year. Guthrie has also had
the privilege to play on OU’s field twice and OSU’s field once.
Trust me fans, I’m just hitting the highlights. I could
spend all day on this if I wanted to, but I’m running out of
breath and adjectives to describe what this program has done.
Now for the individual accomplishments:
During this time, Guthrie has seen the all time leading
passer, who, by the way, struggled to get on the field until his
senior year due to a D-1 player ahead of him, has sent three
players play Division 1 football, one that almost made an NFL
roster, and basically has filled out the entire Northwestern
Ranger roster. Oh yea, I’ve yet to mention the 7-time state
champion, Donte’ Foster who many believe is the greatest athlete
in the history of the school. How can you
argue that?
Let’s now fast forward to this upcoming
season:
Surprise:
Guthrie looked very good in last weeks scrimmage
Not a Surprise:
Guthrie looked very good in last weeks scrimmage
Many people were/are on the borderline of
worry when thinking about this upcoming season. Gone are names like Kye Staley, Callins, Josh King,
Clayton Smith and, of course, Foster. But, how dare we forget
the improvement that guys like Randall Lewis and Staley have
made over the years. Yes, I said Staley. If you saw him play in 7th grade as a tight
end, and didn’t follow any further, you wouldn’t believe that
the person at OSU is the same player.
David
Washington just barely played Junior High football, and a few
short years later almost made an NFL roster. Shall we dare
forget that Guthrie
finished 2002 with a different offense than
it started with when it won its first state title. Sure, there’s
been an ample supply of talent lately, but, improvement has been
the backbone of this programs success.
My verdict: Winning breeds
more winning. There is no talk, or drill or technique that can
replace it. When kids grow up around winners, they usually
become winners themselves. This fact alone gives us a good
chance at being good once again this year.
According to many I’ve talked to, this was
supposed to be the down year. My how that definition has
changed. For instance, here’s a comment I’ve heard: “Yea, this
may be a down year, we may only win six games possibly seven
games.” WHAT? That’s a down year, wow.
The moral to the story is, regardless of
what happens this year or next, or five years from now, this
program has spoiled us all. Let’s not let it be a victim of its
own success. Remember, this program produces men,
and men that are winners, and it’s time to enjoy another year of
winning football, whatever your definition may be.
To share your
thoughts and comments on this column visit our message board by
clicking here.
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