Belcher moving his way up the Jays ladder

The Guthrie football program has been on a plateau in the state of Oklahoma since winning their first ever state title in 2002 and in the process has taken advantage of scholarships to play college football.

Blake Belcher (white shorts) helps Coach Scott Mick during the 2010 Junior Jays Camp.

Some of the names to leave the Jays of recent time include Kyle Smith (New Mexico), David Washington (OSU), and Kye Staley (OSU). Kentrell Brothers will be the next on the list with the college of his choice, and numerous more that have gone on to small college football.

Brothers is gathering headlines on the local, state, and national scene as one of the top recruits in the state, but next in line will be junior-to-be Blake Belcher.

Belcher, who moved to Guthrie from Tulsa Union, last measured in at  6’4″ 240 pounds and one can assume the left tackle has increased that over the summer with the off-season work-outs (M.T.X.E.).

Last summer Belcher attended the National Underclassmen Combine, the same combines that Brothers has attended and gives a lot credit too, and was named the Overall Most Valuable Player for the offensive linemen and continues to hit the combines.

He is credited for having great foot work, form, and technique in the individual drills. Perhaps his biggest strength from my view is he is coachable and listens to what offensive coordinator Scott Mick has to teach.

Belcher will be among the state’s top recruits next season and college coaches will continue to be spotted at the Jays practice field.

SW Ultimate 100 standouts includes Kentrell Brothers

Barry Every
Recruiting Analyst

DUNCANVILLE, Texas - Three major recruits came away the top awards at the SW Ultimate100 this past Sunday. University of Texas commit Desmond Jackson earned Overall MVP, Oklahoma commit Kameel Jackson earned the Dodie Donnell Award (best on-the-field performer) and New Jersey speedster Damiere Byrd walked away with a hat trick of honors.

Below are the top eight performers based on potential and performance as seen by Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Barry Every.

Terell Brooks, 6-4/290, DT, Duncanville (Texas)

ASSETS: Has excellent overall size and body structure and was very coachable.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: His skill set may be best suited for the offensive side of the ball. As a defender he needs to improve his get-off and overall pursuit speed.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Did a nice job of staying low at the point of attack and learned how to make good use his long arms. His size was too much for the smaller, less athletic interior offensive linemen as he earned DL MVP honors.
CONCLUSION: Skill set may be best suited along the offensive line. With that being said, someone will give him a chance to compete on the defensive line because of his size and body structure.

Kentrell Brothers, 6-1/213, OLB, Guthrie (Okla.)

ASSETS: Very instinctual, plays downhill and showed good closing speed.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: He does a tremendous job in football-related drills, but still must improve his overall athleticism and testing numbers to be considered an elite recruit.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Looked natural in pass coverage, and physical at the point of attack during 7-on-7. His ability to read and react earned him LB MVP honors.
CONCLUSION: He has 14 offers at this time and plans on cutting his list down soon. Even though he does not have either in-state Big 12 offers don’t be surprised if he still ends up in the Big 12.

Damiere Byrd, 5-9/160, WR, Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek

ASSETS: Exceptional speed, soft hands and changes direction on a dime.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to add some size and muscle mass in order to counter big, physical corners.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Ran a 4.35-second 40 and then followed it up with a 4.33 while posting a 35-inch vertical. These feats earned him Fastest Man and Combine King. But it was his ability to stretch the field during 7-on-7 that garnered him WR MVP.
CONCLUSION: Has a chance to be a difference maker at the next level because of his speed in hands. Look for him to get looks as a kick and punt returner in college.

John-Philip Hughes, 6-4/239, TE, Tulsa (Okla.) Edison

ASSETS: Hughes has a huge frame and very soft hands.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Work on his overall speed in order to make yards after the catch.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Did a nice job of attacking the ball with his hands and catching the ball in traffic. His consistency earned him TE MVP honors.
CONCLUSION: His frame allows him to project as a potential offensive center or strongside defensive end if tight end does not work out. He has not been to many camps this summer and that could be hurting his recruiting a little. There is no doubt he is a legit DI prospect so look for his stock to take off.

Desmond Jackson, 6-1/285, DT, Houston (Texas) Westfield

ASSETS: Very quick off the ball, good use of his hands and very motivated.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Can he add more size and strength in order to handle bigger, more athletic interior offensive linemen? He will need to be very consistent with his pad level to have the same success in the Big 12..
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: By the time the second session of one-on-ones came around he had just flat worn out every offensive lineman in the camp. Jackson did what he was supposed to and earned Camp Overall MVP.
CONCLUSION: His speed and competitiveness are his two biggest assets. Expect Jackson to have a very productive career as a Longhorn and be a leader in the locker room.

Kameel Jackson, 6-0/196, WR, Arlington (Texas) Sam Houston

ASSETS: Excellent hands, tremendous body control and very competitive.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to improve his ability to get off of man coverage by using his hands to combat physical corners.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Starred both ways during 7-on-7 while making circus-type catches in the end zone on several occasions. He also has improved his speed and is now running as low as a 4.45-second 40.
CONCLUSION: Look for him to be an overachiever and outshine more highly sought after receivers at Oklahoma. He fears no one and will compete against anybody.

Jarreth Rougeau, 5-6/163, APB, Lake Charles (La.) Barbe

ASSETS: Has good speed and amazing change of direction to go along with soft hands.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: If he is going to be a running back at the next level he will need to add at least 12-to-15 pounds of muscle mass, making him more durable and give him the ability to break tackles.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: He was impossible to cover in space because of his exceptional change of direction, and he is a serious threat to gain yards after the catch. He proved to be more elusive and faster than any back in this camp and earned the RB MVP.
CONCLUSION: Do not be surprised if he ends up being recruited as a slot receiver. He will be a serious weapon in the spread offense. Size may be making schools hesitant, but they really need to consider checking this mighty mite out.

Cooper Woodyard, 6-1/200, DQB, The Woodlands (Texas) (2012)

ASSETS: Great leadership skills, throws well on the run and makes excellent decisions.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: He just needs to get the reps at the quarterback position. Woodyard will be playing safety this fall for The Woodlands.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Had the highest percentage of scoring drives of any quarterback during the 7-on-7 tournament. His on-the-field play earned him QB MVP honors.
CONCLUSION: Look for him to be a real sleeper at the quarterback position as he will most likely not be a full-time starter at the position until his senior season.

Others who impressed:

Caleb Ealy, OG, Houston (Texas) Westfield; Devon Hocutt ILB, Killeen (Texas) Ellison; Josh Hunt, OLB, Duncanville (Texas); Terry Johnson, DT, Oxford (Miss.); Jaylen Jordan, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins; Rickey Lunford, RB, Brazoswood (Texas); Connor Myers, DT, Edmond (Okla.) Memorial; Robert Seals, WDE, Pearland (Texas) Dawson; Blaire Sullivan, PQB, San Antonio (Texas) Central Catholic.

School bond issue going to the polls

Logan County voters will be heading to the polls on Tuesday, August 24th for the community of Guthrie and Guthrie Public Schools.

The total proposition of the bond for the tax payers’ is $89,745,000.00. 

The bond would construct a new high school which would be located two blocks east of the I-35 and Highway 33 intersection on 80 acres currently owned by the City of Guthrie. The new school would allow for middle school students (6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade) to be moved to the current high school.

The new high school would also include a new basketball gym, softball field, tennis courts, a track, football practice field, and soccer facility.

The high school gym would seat 3,500 and could become a highly used facility for playoff basketball and other sports, including state tournaments, for the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. In the process, these events would bring people into the community of Guthrie.

The softball field would include field turf and help the school with maintenance and up keep.

The track and soccer field would not only benefit Guthrie athletics, but it would more than likely be used by the OSSAA as well. The OSSAA is currently limited in track facilities for playoff use and Guthrie is a local location.

Guthrie tennis is unable to host tournaments on campus and have to use other facilities in Edmond and Oklahoma City. If the bond were to pass, the program will build eight courts which would eliminate that problem.

On the same land as the proposed high school, a potential satellite center for Meridian Technology Center may be built.

Bond money will help the current high school and junior high with renovation, repair, and remodeling along with construction and repair of parking lots and roads around the district, purchasing of computer and instructional software for classroom use for grades 4 thru 12, and purchasing textbooks for the district.

The bond would save the district $ 525,000.00 per year for the next two years currently being paid out of the district’s general operating budget.

Although the Junior High would not be used for schooling, the building could benefit the community and other groups. The building could turn into a Fine Arts Center for Guthrie Public Schools’ performances, a municipal auditorium for public use, possible permanent housing for City of Guthrie Library, and a possible permanent housing for Guthrie YMCA and other county or city agencies.

The Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and other type agencies could benefit as well with the space to host conventions and large meetings.

For every $100 paid in property taxes this past year, the increase would be $23.61 a year or $1.97 per month.

According to the Logan County Assessor’s Office, the average tax assessment in the Guthrie Public School District has an assessed value of $76,500.00. Passage of this bond issue would increase the average homeowner’s property taxes $180.00 per year or $0.49 per day.

To vote on the August 24^th bond issue voters must be registered by July 30^th.

J High football schedule released

Clear your Thursday evening’s for Guthrie Junior High football in the month of September. The squad will play five times in September and three times in October.

The Junior Jays will begin the season with the Shawnee Wolves on September 2nd in Shawnee.

The 7th and 8th grade teams will play eight games this season, including the Super Saturday on October 16th. In the regular season, the Jays will four home games and three away games.

The season begins September 2nd on the road at Jim Thorpe Stadium, in Shawnee, and the first home game inside Jelsma Stadium will be against Noble.

Ticket prices for home games will be $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Adults may also purchase football season tickets for $35.00 and is not only good for junior high, but varsity and freshmen home football games. Students can purchase All Sport Season Passes for $25.00.

Equipment check-out is set for August 9th and 10th at the Junior High gym from 9am to 12:00. The first practice will be August 11th, at Faver Alternative School, beginning at 8:00. 

Jeff Ball returns as the head coach of the 8th grade squad and so does Jason Rice for the 7th grade team. Assistant coaches include Casey Porter, Bryan Couch, and David Washington.

2010 Guthrie Junior High Football Schedule

September 2^nd             Shawnee                     Away

September 9^th              Noble                          Home

September 16^th            Western Heights       Away

September 23^rd            El Reno                       Home

September 30^th            Deer Creek                 Home

October 7^th                  Piedmont                     Away

October 12^th                McGuinness                Home

October 16^th                Super Saturday

• 7^th Grade Super Saturday at Deer Creek
• 8th Grade Super Saturday at Noble