Bluejays Think Pink

 

By: Allyson Chadd and Hope Hayes
Special to GuthrieSportsPage.com

Win-Win Week is an opportunity to increase cancer awareness and help in the battle to defeat cancer. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association will award a state championship trophy to the school in each classification that has the most effective cancer prevention and cancer fundraising programs. Guthrie High School has joined Win-Win Week to help promote cancer prevention and awareness. Cancer takes a horrible toll on Oklahomans. One in two men and one in three women in our state will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. There are approximately 17,000 new cases of cancer every year in our state, and about 7,500 Oklahomans die every year from this disease. Win-Win Week is a statewide effort to build cancer awareness among high school students by turning athletic events in the state pink during the week of September 13-17. Students in our community are helping to prepare cancer prevention programs and raise funds to support Oklahoma cancer patients.

The Guthrie student body cheer on the Jays as well as showing their support for Win-Win Week.

One of the testimonials given at the Guthrie High School “Think Pink” assembly was from the mother of a cancer victim, our own Kale Powell. He spent many days at OU Medical Center six years ago. His mother, Nancy Powell, shared her story for the first time since Kale had passed away. She spoke for at least 20 minutes, and you could have heard a pin drop in the gymnasium that was 90+ degrees.

Bluejays started off the week with their “Think Pink” game vs. Ponca City where the coaches, players, athletic trainers, band, and cheerleaders all wore pink. During the National Anthem, the field was surrounded with pink balloons that were released in memory of those affected by cancer. Between the first and second quarters, GHS FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) passed around buckets for donations and raised more than $900. During halftime, a football toss was held and Kelsey Walker threw a football through a pink ribbon and received a $100 gas card. On Friday night while individuals were coming down on the field to release a balloon, one of the football coaches’ wives had a friend on the field, and wanted her to meet a friend of hers from Ponca City who was also coming down to the field to release a balloon. The coaches’ wife said she could tell that the Ponca City woman had been through chemotherapy. After sharing stories, the three women prayed together. What a blessing.

Throughout the week, Guthrie High School held a raffle for a front row parking spot and an iPad that was donated by Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank. Various spirit days such as: Camo Day, Duct Tape Day, Bandana Day, and Pink Out Day were held and numerous lunch activities were performed.

The high school softball “Think Pink” game was held on Thursday. FCA passed the bucket for donations and a home run derby was hosted after the varsity game.

Brothers to play in National Underclassmen Combine All-World Game

 

Star linebacker Kentrell Brothers of Guthrie, OK announced his commitment to the National Underclassmen Combine’s All World Game.

The nationally rated recruit starred at a number of NUC events and was amongst the top overall players from the 2010 season. The 6’0 207 lb standout won LB MVP at the Tulsa, Dallas and Southwest U100 combines en route to being the fourth rated player at his position following the illustrious Top Prospect Camp. In addition, the senior sensation is currently fielding 14 D1 offers from top notch programs such as Missouri, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Arizona State amongst others.

“Kentrell is an outstanding player with unlimited potential,” said NUC CEO & President David Schuman. “He has all of the tools to make it a very long way and we’re glad to have a player of his caliber participating in the All World Gridiron Classic.”

The NUC All-World Gridiron Classic will showcase 114 elite high school seniors from all across the globe in a unique All-Star Game. Players from the two squads, Team NUC & Team World, will be drafted from the ground up by the coaching staff to ensure a level playing field.

There will also be a full week of events leading up to game day for select All-World Underclassmen including 7 on 7’s, linemen challenges and a combine.

The NUC All-World Gridiron Classic kicks off from Columbia, SC at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium Friday, December 31, 2010 at 6 pm ET. Broadcast and ticket information will be announced shortly.

Since their inception in 2005, the National Underclassmen Combine guided more than 50,000 athletes from all walks of life. 70 percent of the NUC’s alumni went on to play in college, with 20 percent earning D1 or D1AA scholarships. Notable alumni include Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns, Kraig Appleton, Tyrod Taylor, Mason Walters, Tajh Boyd, Logan Heastie and Damien Thigpen amongst others.

Guthrie is going to get Enid’s best shot

 

The Enid Plainsmen have made themselves fully aware to their two opponents this season that they come to play as soon as the game starts.

Enid's D. Bruce Selby Stadium

Against Kelley it was an 11 play 80 yard drive and against Midwest City it was a hook-and-ladder on the first play of the game.

Meanwhile, the Jays stand at 2-0 and are making their first trip on the road. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 with Enid at No. 10 in the latest 6A rankings and the Jays coming in at No. 2 in 5A.

Enid returns nine starters back to an offense that features running back Jonathan Burton. Burton is on his way to becoming one of Enid’s top rushers in school history. A year ago, Burton went for over 1200 yards rushing and 10 scores, but is a dual threat by averaging 10 yards a reception in his junior campaign. In the win over Kelley, he rushed 19 times for 99-yards and brought in 5-catches for 77-yards.

The signal caller Alex Patterson, who also serves as the teams deep snapper, returns for his senior campaign after completing 59.8% of his passes a season ago. This season, Patterson has already thrown for 441 yards, including last week’s 286-yards against Midwest City. That accomplishment ranks his 6^th all time in Enid history for yards in a single game by a quarterback. He edged himself out of 6^th place after throwing for 285 yards in a game his sophomore season.

Although, Enid is replacing their top receiver from a season ago they pose two threats that show good speed. Junior’s Mitchell Foote, a recent move-in and Raymond Nazaro are key targets for Patterson, but tight end Dillion Collums (6’0, 185) has become a weapon with two touchdowns already this season. Full back Cody Lee is a weapon of choice as well with Patterson. Lee led the team in receptions last year with 26 and averaged 12 yards each time. The senior carried the ball for an average of 7 yards a run and scored four times in his junior season.

The offensive line averages out to 6’0 and 236 pounds and will show multiple formations throughout the evening.

The Plainsmen will have a minimum of four players playing on both sides of the ball, including Burton, who has been moved from middle to strong side linebacker due to the fact Enid lost their top two tacklers to graduation. Lee is another weapon in the middle of the Plainsmen defense.

“They play a 3-5 defense (three lineman and five linebackers), a cover 3, and a cover 2,” Guthrie offensive coordinator Scott Mick said.

Their inside linebackers are really good football players (Burton and Lee). His (Lee) motor runs all the time and is a good football player,” Mick said. “Their secondary is fast and get off blocks well and they attack.”

Mick believes the Jays will get their best shot from Enid simply because the Plainsmen are wanting to get back on the field after blowing a 17-0 first quarter lead last week to the Bombers.

“When you take a team like Midwest and you have a chance to beat them it makes for a long week to get to the next Friday night and you can’t wait to get back on the field. We were kinda like that last year when we lost a couple of games early. You can’t get practice in the week fast enough in the week. They will be ready and will be tough at home,” Mick said.

“They are going to play hard. When you are in 6A you do not want to lose to a 5A team. It does not matter what their ranking is and they went toe-to-toe with Midwest City last week, who is pretty good, and they will be a good opponent,” Mick concluded.

Its good three times

Enid senior (5’9, 150) Joao Paulo Maciel attempted his first field goal ever in week one and looked like a veteran. The kicker nailed a 42-yarder for his first field goal of the season. Since then he has remianed perfect by going 3-for-3 with adding a 31 and 45-yard field goals last week.

Quick surface

Enid just installed a new field turf and will be the first time the Jays have played on the quick surface since last November’s state semi-final game in Stillwater. Game time is slated for 7:30

Directions to Selby Stadium

Highway 412 (Garriott Road) to the intersection of Van Buren (Hwy 81) and

Garriott Road. Turn South (left) and go 4 blocks to Frantz Street. Visitor’s parking is on the south side of the stadium.