Guthrie over powers Noble in shut out win

The Noble Bears ran more offensive plays and controlled the ball for nearly 40 of the game’s 48 minutes, but were unable to get anything going against the top ranked Guthrie Bluejays in Noble.

Clark’s two home runs aids Jays in offensive win

 

If you were looking for a pitching dual in the final regular season baseball game between Guthrie and Ponca City let’s hope you kept your distance.

John Clark was 4-for-5 with two home runs and 6 RBIs in the win over Ponca City.

Both teams combined for 26 runs and 29 hits, but it was the BlueJays capturing their 23rd win of the year by a final score of 15-11, in Ponca City, Thursday afternoon. The Jays redeemed their season opening run-rule loss to the Wildcats (13-4).

Outfielder John Clark had a day to say the least by going 4-for-5 at the plate, including two home runs, and 6 RBIs. Clark’s two round tripper’s gives him seven on the season.

Fellow junior Landry Chappell started the parade of runs with his 3-run bomb in the first inning for his sixth of the season. Clark followed Chappell’s lead with a 2-run homer to give the Jays a 5-0 lead before the Poncan’s came to bat.

When the Poncan’s did come to bat they equaled the Jays by putting five runs on the board themselves as they connected for five base hits off of Jays starting pitcher Bryan Dutton.

Dutton had a more quiet second inning by facing just the minimum, although just one run in the first inning was earned.

In the third inning, the Jays regained the lead when Clark connected on his second homer. This time it was a 2-run blast that brought in Kye Sears, who reached via error. Clark now has three homer’s in his last two games.

Dutton started the fourth inning with a walk and was followed by Chappell’s single. Hayden Seifert then brought in Dutton with a double to increase the lead to 8-5. The score moved up to 9-5 when Clark’s ground out brought in J.T. McFadden, who was a courtesy runner for Chappell.

Guthrie (23-10) head coach Jon Chappell’s squad put another five-spot in the fifth inning by piecing together five singles, two error’s, and two base-on-balls. Scott Pickle, Seifert, Austin O’Connor, Clark, and Reed Roberts each collected RBIs in the frame.

The Jays entered the bottom of the fifth needing to hold the Wildcats to no more than a run to collect their 16th run rule of the season, but Ponca added five runs to move the game into the sixth inning.

Luke Davis started the sixth with a walk and later swapped second base and then advanced to third on a Wildcat error off of the bat of Pickle to put runners on the corners. Dutton then hit a ground ball that scored Davis to make it a 15-10 game.

Ponca City added a run in the seventh on three hits.

Roberts, who was one of four pitchers for the Jays, collected the win for his team high seventh to improve his record to 7-2.

Guthrie Bluejays at Ponca City Wildcats Box Score

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E	L
Guthrie Bluejays	5	0	2	2	5	1	0	15	12	3	10
Ponca City Wildcats	5	0	0	0	5	0	1	11	17	6	7

WP: Reed Roberts (7-2), LP: E Evans

Copyright 2011 Guthrie Sports Page. Some rights reserved.

Split decision for Guthrie at Deer Creek Classic

 

 

The Guthrie BlueJay baseball squad learned Friday afternoon that indeed they will be one of eight teams in Class 5A that will get to host a regional at the same time they were

taking on El Reno on day three of the Deer Creek Classic.

The Jays trailed 4-1 heading into their home half of the fou

rth when they put 9 runs on the board to take a 10-4 lead and eventually earning a 13-5 five inning run rule over the Indians. The win is the third over El Reno this season and their 14th run-rule of the season.

Jacob Chappell earned his second win of the season as he came on in relief for fellow freshmen Reed Roberts to stay unbeaten at 2-0.

Guthrie combined for 10 hits and leading the way was Luke Davis, Hayden Seifert, Landry Chappell, and Bryan Dutton each collecting two hits, but it was John Clark collecting four RBIs.

Clark cleared the bases in the run friendly fourth with a triple to score Scott Pickle, J.T. McFadden, who was running for Chappell, and Dutton. Clark followed that up with a sacrifice fly to score McFadden.

Norman North takes win in late innings

After three days of pool play, Guthrie and 6A’s 4th ranked Norman North Timberwolves gathered for the third place game of the Deer Creek Classic. North scored five

runs in their two last at bats to sneak by the Jays 8-6.

Guthrie falls to 21-9 on the season, including 3-5 against the largest Oklahoma classification, while North improves 24-6 and have won eight of their last nine games. Both schools will host regionals in May.

North struck first with two runs in their first at bat. The Jays responded with a run of their own in the fourth inning when Landry Chappell connected for a one out single. McFadden came on as the courtesy runner and stole second to get into scoring position. With two outs, Jacob Chappell delivered a RBI single to get on the board.

However, North responded with another run in their fourth inning to go back up by two runs, 3-1.

Guthrie quickly doubled up the Timberwolves when they plated five runs in the fifth. The BlueJays took advantage of a hit-by-pitch, two walks, and an error, but did provide two hits in the inning with Seifert and Jacob Chappell. Both singles resulted in a RBI as Chappell finished with two in the game.

Once again, North had an answer by scoring three more runs in their half inning to tie the game at 6-all.

Guthrie had two players reach base in the sixth inning, but were unable to get anyone to second base. In North’s sixth inning, they took advantage of an error, walk, four stolen bases, and a single to bring across the game’s last two runs.

Kasey Gates (1-1) suffered the loss as the Jays sent four pitchers to the mound. Landry Chappell got the start as he made just his second appearance this season. Chappell was followed by freshmen Blaze Hastings, who also made his second appearance this year. The two fared well for the situation and combined to allow just three runs.

The Jays split their four games in the Deer Creek Classic to take fourth place. Deer Creek took the championship game with a 5-1 decision over Westmoore.

Guthrie Bluejays at Norman North Box Score

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E	L
Guthrie Bluejays	0	0	0	1	5	0	0	6	8	5	6
Norman North	2	0	0	1	3	2	–	8	7	3	6

WP:   LP: Kasey Gates (1-1)

 Copyright 2011 Guthrie Sports Page. Some rights reserved.

Guthrie starts early and often in Homecoming win

 

Homecoming 2010 could not have been scripted any better for Guthrie High School and the Guthrie BlueJay football program Friday.

Photo By: Jarrett George

With an overflow crowd inside Jelsma Stadium, the Jays did what they were expected to and come out and handle the winless Noble Bears (0-5), 56-0. Guthrie improves to 5-1 and 3-0 in district play.  In the three district games, the Jays have won by a combined score 110-14, but will face their toughest challenge this coming

week with the Carl Albert Titans.

Listen to head coach Rafe Watkins radio post game interview. 

The Guthrie defense held Noble to just two first downs in the game (both coming in the third quarter) and a total of 41 yards of offense, including minus -10 yards rushing. The defense has shut-out opponents in 18 of 24 quarters this season and is Class 5A’s top rushing defense.

The Jays offense did not disappoint either as they worked with a short field all night and scored seven times in the first half. The offense was highlighted by quarterback Bryan Dutton finding senior play maker Kentrell Brothers for five-catches for 124 yards, including three catches for touchdowns. Dutton finished a perfect 6-for-6 for 147 yards all in the first half as he sat out the entire second half.

In total, six different Jays scored with Luke Davis, J.T. McFadden, Connor Howard, Hunter Gates, and Cody Reihs.

The Guthrie defense was highlighted by Landry Chappell and Kai Callins. Chappell leads the Guthrie defense in tackles and was named the Farmers and Merchants Bank Player of the Game. A close second was Callins, who finished with two interceptions to increase his season total to three. Both of Callins’ interceptions resulted in 14 points for the Jays.

Junior Varsity and Freshmen roll over Piedmont

 

There was not much drama inside Jelsma Stadium, Monday evening, and that was just okay for the Guthrie Junior Varstiy and Freshmen football squads.

Both teams prevailed in dominating fashion with wins over Piedmont. The freshmen pulled off a 25-6 win and the junior varsity followed that up by steam rolling the Wildcats 40-2.

The freshmen rolled off 18-unanswered points after Piedmont came within one-point of the Jays with a first quarter score, 7-6. Guthrie jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 92-yard touchdown pass and catch between quarterback Reed Roberts and wide-out Donavan Jordan. The scoring drive was benefited by the Guthrie defense with Zonte’ Veasley’s interception inside Guthrie’s five-yard line.

Jordan finalized the scoring on the night when he took a Wildcat pass the other way for a 35-yard touchdown on an interception late in the third quarter.

Running back Connor Howard had two scores sandwiched between Jordan’s in both the second and third quarters. Howard’s first scoring run of 5-yards gave the Jays a 13-6 lead.

Howard had an easier time getting into the end zone from 1-yard out with 2:17 left in the third quarter, but Jordan helped set it all up with an interception and a return to the one-yard line.

The freshmen improve to 4-1 on the season and will next be in action next week in Noble.

Junior Varsity makes it look easy

It took only 3:15 in the game before the junior varsity made the statement that they were the more dominant team on the field. Guthrie jumped out to a 20-0 first quarter lead and held a 40-0 halftime lead.

The Guthrie JV, who improves to 3-1 on the season, had six scores by six different players. Perhaps the highlight of the scoring plays came from defensive lineman LaMarc Allison. Allison simply stripped the ball away from a Piedmont runner and took off for a 40-yard touchdown run.

Chad Nash scored on the opening drive with a 13-yard run and with Allison’s touchdown on the following possession, Guthrie had a 14-0 lead with 4:49 to play in the opening quarter.

Sophomore running back J.T. McFadden got into the scoring column with a 35-yard run as he tight roped down the home sideline into the South end zone to give his team a 20-0 advantage.

The only score to come through the air was in the second quarter when quarterback Cody Reihs found Jarvis Moore for a 45-yard score. The two following Guthrie scores came on Piedmont turnovers.

After a Wildcat fumble, Tim Zupo scored from 12-yards out in the first two minutes to the start of the second half. The defense came through again in the quarter, but this time it came with an interception.

After the turnover, Reihs kept it in on the ground and scored on a 3-yard run.

The junior varsity improves to 4-1 on the year and will travel to Noble Monday evening.

Guthrie Football hits the midway point of regular season

 

Stats and numbers are an interesting way to look at sporting events and sometimes they describe how a game played out. However, that was not the case in Ada last Friday evening.

The most important numbers are on the scoreboard and the Jays won that department with a narrow 13-7 win over the Ada Cougars. The Jays improve to 4-1 on the season and more importantly move to 2-0 in district play and barring a monumental collapse will host a first round playoff game.

Looking at the final numbers, the Jays had 328 yards of offense while Ada managed just 70 yards. Guthrie threw for 190 yards, Ada only 42. The Cougars managed only 28 yards of rushing offense and the Jays had 138 yards on the ground.

Despite the gap in the numbers, the Cougars had one last possession to try to tie the game with under two minutes left in the game, but went 4-and-out.

The Jays never trailed the entire evening and the defense really never seemed threaten by Ada. The Cougars biggest play came on a 33-yard pass and catch in the fourth quarter.

Disabled list of running backs

Derrik Kelley came in and played nine straight quarters until injuring his ankle again in the Ada game. Luckily, the stable of running backs had Luke Davis available to fill in for the injuries.

Kelley and Wilcots are likely out this week for Noble and head coach Rafe Watkins said they will get others ready for this week. The likely candidate at this time is sophomore J.T. McFadden.

Dutton nearing BlueJay history books

The spread offense has changed many record books in the college and high school game and it appears that will be the same for Guthrie High School.

Photo By: Newsok.com

Quarterback Bryan Dutton needs just 415 yards to become Guthrie’s all time passing leader and touchdown passer. Currently, Dutton has 3,130 yards and is narrowing the gap with 2009 alum Keaton Callins.

Callins finished his career by throwing 3,544 on 219-of-348 passing (.629). Callins put up the impressive numbers in just a season and a half in 2007 and 2008. Callins is also the all time Jays quarterback with 47 career touchdown tosses.

Dutton, currently, has 36 career touchdown passes and is 208-of-336 passing (.619). Half of Dutton’s 36 touchdown passes have gone to senior play maker Kentrell Brothers with 18 in 18 games that dates back to last years season opener.

Quick strike offense

With the balance offensive attack of the Jays, the points are coming quick and are coming in the first half. This season, Guthrie has scored a total of 150 points with over half (80) have come in the first quarter.

The Jays have outscored their five opponents 80-6 in the first 12 minutes and 129-20 in the first two quarters.

However, the Jays have put just 21 points on the second half scoreboard, including 14 against Enid. Guthrie opponents are outscoring the Jays 37-21, but 30 of those 37 points were at the hands of the Enid Plainsmen (Guthrie’s only loss).

In those three games of not scoring in the second half, Guthrie has won by a combine score of 79 to 14.

Mr. Do-It-All

Cal Ripken Jr was the Baltimore Oriole’s iron man and Luke Davis is the BlueJay iron man.

Photo By: Jarrett George

Davis serves as the Jays key member of the defensive secondary and has 45 tackles and one interception. A year ago he finished with 112 stops.

Davis is the rugby style kicker and has punted 17 times for an average of 33 yards a punt. He has taking over in the running game with the injuries and has 23 carries to go with 10 catches.

BlueJay D impressive with 14

The defensive numbers are impressive midway through the first half of the season, but perhaps the most impressive number is 14.

14 is the number of quarters the defense has shut-out their opponents this season in the 20 quarters played.

Tackles continue to add up for linebacker

Junior linebacker Landry Chappell continues to pile up tackles in the middle of the Guthrie defense. Chappell has 71 tackles as his team hits the midway point of the regular season. His 71 leads Class 5A and is in the top 10 in the state. A year ago, Chappell collected 170 to finish second in 5A.

Chappell is the first to give credit to his defensive line that allow him to be in position to make a good part of his tackles up the middle.

Here a sack, there a sack

Enough can not be said about the Guthrie defense and a big part of the success is the ability of getting to the opposing quarterback and that is what three Jays are doing often.

Richard Brothers watches older brother Kentrell Brothers recover a fumble. Photo By: Jarrett George

To no surprise, Kentrell Brothers leads the state in sacks with nine. He led the state a year ago with 17, but not too far behind is his younger brother, Richard Brothers.

Richard Brothers added two sacks in the Ada game to climb up to seven for the season. Just behind the Brothers brothers is junior linebacker John Clark, who has five.

In 5A, Kentrell is the leader, Richard is third, and Clark is fourth overall in the sack department.

Jays out run Wildcats 35-6 for second win

The tone was set early on both sides of the football for the Guthrie BlueJays in a 35-6 win over the Ponca City Wildcats, Friday evening, inside Jelsma Stadium. It did not take the Jays long to make a statement.

Running back Alphonso Wilcots gets deep in the Ponca secondary. The senior finished with 150 yards rushing and two scores.

On the second play from scrimmage, sophomore J.T. McFadden intercepted a Ponca pass at the 37-yard line and returned it to the 2-yard line. Senior Alphonso Wilcots needed one play to score on the right side untouched for the Jays to score just 41 seconds into the game.

Guthrie improves to 2-0 on the season while Ponca City falls to 0-2. The Jays may sneak into the No. 1 ranking in Class 5A after Booker T. Washington fell to Broken Arrow.

A Guthrie turnover gave Ponca the ball back after the Jays were on the move to another score, however, McFadden came back with his second interception. And again, the Jays capitalized on the turnover.

Jays quarterback first pass of the night found a streaking Kentrell Brothers in the center of the field for a 25-yard pass and catch and with 5:20 to play in the first quarter Guthrie built a 14-0 lead.

The Wildcats responded on their following possession with a 30-yard touchdown run by Wildcats quarterback Brent Wilson. The extra point was blocked by Brothers and the score remained 14-6. The Wildcat score is the only points allowed in eight quarters of play on the Jays this season.

Guthrie continued to run the ball right at the Ponca defense with Wilcots picking up big chunk of yards. The senior finished with 14 carries and 102 yards just in the first half, including a another 2-yard run to give the Jays a 21-6 lead. The score highlighted a drive that took 12 plays covering 68-yards in a time of 6:02. Guthrie did not attempt one pass in the series.

Wilcots finished the night with 22 carries for 150 yards along with two scores and was named the Farmers and Merchants BlueJay Player of the Game. Overall, the Jays finished with 427 yards of total offense.

Dutton, once again, was solid in the passing game by going 6-of-7 for 151 yards and two touchdown passes, but was as productive running the ball for good gains on speed option plays.

In the second half, Guthrie found the end zone two more times. The first score came on a highlight run by Brothers when he took a shovel pass from Dutton and burst into the Ponca secondary. Brothers then used a stiff arm to shrug off a Wildcat defender and then hurdled a safety at the 5-yard line to get into the end zone.

Brothers finished the night with three cateches for 111 yards and two scores to push his season totals up to 7 catches for 283 yards and five touchdowns.

Dutton capped off the scoring midway in the fourth quarter with a 9-yard run as the Jays drove 95 yards for the score.

The Guthrie defense proved to be solid once more by holding the Wildcats to just 228 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers.

Guthrie will hit the road for the first time this season as they take on another 6A-4 opponent in the Enid Plainsmen. Enid is 1-1 with a win over Bishop Kelley, in Week 1, and a loss to Midwest City.

Guthrie must be prepared for Ponca City Friday night

Guthrie head football coach Rafe Watkins has a simple message to his team and BlueJay fans this week as Guthrie prepares to host Class 6A’s Ponca City Wildcats Friday night inside Jelsma Stadium.

Nick Hamilton took the opening kickoff deep into Sapulpa territory to begin last weeks game. Photo By: David Miller Ponca City News

“I certainly hope everybody is not coming to this game thinking let’s get this one over with and get to Enid because if we do we will be 1-1 and all that great momentum they we had going will be all for not,” Watkins explained.

Guthrie is coming off an emotional win last week with a 25-0 shut-out over fellow 5A contender Duncan and gaining a lot of press in newspapers and internet sites. Most polls have leaped the Jays to No. 2 in the latest Class 5A rankings behind Tulsa Washington.

“We are coming off an emotional victory and it looked like a big district win because so much had been made of it through the papers, through us beating them last year in the playoffs, and it being the first game of the season with two highly ranked teams,” Watkins said.

“I told my guys ‘if winning the first ball game against Duncan was your goal – then mission accomplished,’ Watkins said. “That was just a small part of it. We want to be undefeated and we want to be state champions you can’t over look anybody.”

The best comparison Watkins could think of when comparing a team who had they proper mind frame in playing hard each week was his 2007 squad that won the school’s second state championship.

“That is why I am so proud of that 2007 team, they never over look anybody, they had great practices every week and every day of ever week, and came out and played hard every Friday night and that’s what this group has to realize,” Watkins further explaining his case.

Guthrie will have the opportunity this week with the Poncan’s coming to town with an 0-1 record with a 34-32 home lost to Sapulpa. A season ago, the Wildcats finished with a 2-8 record playing in a very competitive 6A district.

“They are going to come in with loads of confidence,” Watkins said about Ponca City. “Ponca City is definitely a better team of the two they just didn’t get it done (last week) and a lot of that has to do with the Sapulpa kids that played with a lot of heart and emotion with the loss of their teammate,” Watkins explained about Sapulpa playing for a teammate who tragically died just prior to the start of the first game.

Ponca City will give the Jays a look that they may not see again this season.

“They do something for us that we don’t see the rest of the year. They throw the ball,” Watkins said following a booster club meeting. “They will get in the empty backfield and are throwing it all over the place. We don’t see that normally in our league. We are a black and blue division with power football for the most part with the running game. So this poses a threat for us.” Watkins said.

There is zero doubt who the Jays must contain while on defense in junior quarterback Brent Wilson. Last week in the lost, Wilson threw for 261 yards while completing 19 of 35 passes and throwing for four touchdowns.

In his sophomore campaign, Wilson threw for 1,162 yards with 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions while completing 63% of his passes in 2009. That is part why Division I schools are starting to take notice.

Richard Brothers watches older brother Kentrell Brothers recover a fumble. The Jays defense must prepare for the Ponca passing attack.

Wilson is also a threat to run the ball and did so for 100 yards last week. Watkins has made some similarities to Shawnee’s Tucker Brown.

“He is similar to him in the aspect, do we rush him, or do we make him pass? He is an allusive kid, he has good speed, he has grown some, and has great arm strength,” Watkins said of the six foot, 180 pounder. “If you rush this kid in the open field he is hard to tackle. He has good vision and can give us fits when he gets in the open field,” Watkins concluded.

The Guthrie defense was nearly perfect last Friday by allowing just over 100 yards of total offense to the Demons, and allowing just over 80-yards passing, but the young Jays secondary will be challenged early and often.

“They (secondary) did not get tested real hard last week because we were able to get to the quarterback. I thought they held their own and did a good job for their first time out,” Watkins said of freshmen Kai Callins, Donavan Jordan, and sophomore J.T. McFadden. “Again, a total different type of offense (this week). They are going to do some confusing things with some switch routes and we have to communicate in the secondary.”

For the Ponca City defense, they are looking to improve this season on keeping their opponent out of the end zone. A year ago, the Wildcats allowed an average of 38 points a contest. Last week the Ponca defense allowed 416 yards of offense and 34 points.

Ponca will also look to improve in the penalty department. The Wildcats were flagged for 18 penalties and 155 yards, but Sapulpa was not much better by drawing 18 flags for 150 yards in the yellow storm of flags. 

Get Your Pink On

The Guthrie High School Student Council is asking all fans to wear pink to the game Friday night to help declare victory over cancer in an endorsed event by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association.

A look back at the Jays in week one

For the Guthrie BlueJay football team last Friday could not have been drawn out any better than the way it turned it out.

Not only did the team have a day off from school, in which coaches really prefer their student-athlete’s to be in school on game day to simply stay in the routine, had a nice spread at the Stables Cafe for lunch, and capped off the day with a fine performance against a good Duncan team with a 25-0 win.

Dutton to Brothers, again

Bryan Dutton and Kentrell Brothers picked up where they left off a season ago by hooking up with 54 and 50-yard touchdown receptions. A season ago, the two connected 12 times for scores.

Both were impressive. Brothers four catches, three touchdowns, and 172 yards. Dutton was 12-of-13 passing for 203 yards. The lone incompletion was intentional as he was unable to find a receiver and simply threw it out-of-bounds to avoid a loss on the play.

Offensive line in control

Entering the game, everyone was raving about the Demons offensive line (and deserving so), but the Jays front five stole the show.

Blake Belcher, Hayden Seifert, Cooper Davis, Malachi Galbraith, and Bryce Sullivan created holes all evening for running back Alphonso Wilcots, who gathered 103 yards rushing, and gave Dutton all the time he needed to survey the field and find open receivers.

The front five may be the most impressive looking group in the past 10 seasons with size, muscle, and speed. The next line of achievement for the group is consistency as the season moves on.

Running game returns for the Jays

Wilcots showed BlueJay fans what Edmond North fans got to see a few seasons ago. After an ankle injury that sidelined Wilcots his sophomore season, the senior a year ago was not confident in the ankle, but this season he appears 100% healthy.

Wilcots rushed around 1,000 yards while at Edmond North before moving to Guthrie last season. Wilcots runs a 4.3 and was the first leg of the state champion relay team last season, but his 190 pound frame allows him to take contact and take defenders with him.

Luke Davis came over from the defensive side and gave the offense a spark, and the Jays are awaiting Derrick Kelley to return full strength from an ankle injury.

New faces to the rescue on special teams

Guthrie has been spoiled the last six seasons with kickers Hank Hudson and J Hensely, but with 0ne game in the book the Jays got a boost from Kelley, Davis, and Esau Paez.

Davis by no means is a stranger to defense, but has taken over the punting duties and when called upon did a fine job. Kelley, who again is battling an ankle injury, was 2-for-2 on both his point after attempts and boomed a 26-yard field goal.

Paez, who was filling in for Kelley as the kicker, did not have a strong leg has he had in practice, but will allow depth in the kicking department.

Freshmen taking varsity snaps

Guthrie walked out three freshmen onto the dark green grass Friday night and all four will be counted on this season.

Kai Callins, Donavan Jordan, and Trevor Blassingame did their part in helping the Jays defense shut-out the Demon offense.

Callins showed his offensive talents with his first pass from scrimmage with a half back pass to a wide open Brothers for a 49-yard score. In addition to being 1-for-1 passing, Callins proved to be big from his defensive back spot.

J.T. McFadden, a sophomore, continues give the Jays depth on both sides of the ball, but his services are currently valuable at his corner position.

Scout team running back

Both the Guthrie offensive and defensive coaches gave a lot of credit to Omari Ajanku for his work in Wednesday practice. The senior gave the Jays defense a good look with his quickness at scout team running back.

Linebackers more than good

Junior linebacker’s Landry Chappell and John Clark controlled the center of the field. You can count on both being near the ball on most plays. Clark’s ability to play multiple positions and Chappell’s nose for the ball give the Jays the ability to give running games a fit.

Defensive line big and quick

The Jays defensive line coach, Eric Woodard, has had many weapons over the last few years and that remains the same this year.

Elaunta Sherrill made his BlueJay debut and most people recognized it as well. The junior may not have the height, but he has the size. While the roster lists him at 350 pounds, he may be closer south of four bills, but his work ethic at nose guard have pleased his coaches.

Cody Doyle has made strides over the summer and fall, at defensive tackle, and has earned the starting spot.

Everyone knows about Kentrell Brothers, but his younger Richard Brothers (sophomore) had an impressive debut as well by chasing down the Demons quarterback and picking up some sacks in the process.

Perhaps, a hidden secret to fans, but not coaches and players, is Felix Scott. Scott is quick and strong and is a vital part to the Guthrie front seven.

Looking ahead to Ponca City

The Wildcats are coming off a 2-8 2009 season and dropped their opener Friday to Sapulpa. However, Guthrie must be ready to play and continue to play well against the Wildcats, or the success of the Duncan game takes a step back.