Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mike Leach fired as Tech coach

According to an Associated Press report Mike Leach has been fired by Texas Tech University for apparently mistreating Adam James who had a "mild" concussion.

Tech on Monday suspended Leach based on complaints that he mishandled a concussion suffered by James, son of ESPN college football analyst Craig James.

After James suffered the concussion, Leach on Dec. 17 ordered the player to stand in a dark shed at a Tech practice facility. Two days later, Leach had James stand in a dark room for three hours.

But Leach’s lawyer, Ted Liggett, has countered that Leach simply was trying to protect James by placing him somewhere that was darker and cooler than the practice facility. To view the "shed" click here.

Liggett said Texas Tech general counsel Pat Campbell approached him outside the courtroom and told him that win, lose or draw in the hearing, Leach was out effective immediately.

Liggett told the judge there was no need for the hearing on Leach's request that he be reinstated to coach the Alamo Bowl. Texas Tech plays Michigan State on Saturday in San Antonio.

The firing comes days before Leach was to receive $800,000 bonus for being their coach. What a coincidence?

It has been noted often that Leach was not in the best of best with the school's president and athletic director and it appears to me they were waiting for anything to dismiss Leach because of their ongoing feud's.

Good luck Texas Tech because Mike Leach has done more for that program then Adam James, Craig James, and Gerald Myers will ever do.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Test

This is a test blog for I Touch. Please ignore.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

2009 was a year to remember for Guthrie

As I have done in recent past I have compiled some of the top memories of the 2009 season. If you missed my complete story on Guthrie Sports Page you can click here to read it.

Here are my top memories in 2009 involving Guthrie High School athletics:
1. Passing of Jared Pearce
2. Boys Basketball State Championship
3. Track and Field State Championship
4. Cross Country State Championship
5. Donte' Foster's senior year
6. Donte' Foster's ESPN Shot
7. Kentrell Brothers first BlueJay to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season
8. Keaton Callins senior year
9. Clay Tarter and Gary Boxley and their success with the running programs
10. All the student athlete's that sign letters of intent to play college athletics

Please feel free to leave you thoughts, comments, and your Top 10 by commenting below.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Stoops "no win" against Stanford

I read Berry Tramel's column about Bob Stoops and the 2009 Sun Bowl and could not agree more with the columnist. This is a no win situation for Stoops.

A win is not going to hush the critics with a victory over Stanford in a non-BCS game. The Sooners have lost five straight BCS games (three national championship games) and people will continue to reflect on that.

However, a loss to Stanford and the dialogue of what we have heard and read over the past few seasons with Stoops and the Sooners in bowl games will continue.

The last bowl win for the Sooners was the 2005 Holiday Bowl win over Oregon and the last BCS win was in the 2003 Rose.

Overall, Stoops is 4-6 in bowl games (2-5 in the BCS) as the Sooners coach, but a 5-6 record will not silence the critics, but a 4-7 record puts more gasoline on the fire. You see a no win situation.

One more thought: When Wade Phillips is fired as the Dallas Cowboys coach at the end of the NFL season can we save the Stoops talk to Dallas? It takes up too much space in papers and too much time on radio air waves. Its not going to happen and I hope it does not happen for the same reason I typed in the previous sentence.

01/08/09 BCS Championship L Florida 24, Oklahoma 14
01/02/08 Fiesta Bowl L West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28
01/01/07 Fiesta Bowl L Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (OT)
12/29/05 Holiday Bowl W Oklahoma 17, Oregon 14
01/04/05 Orange Bowl L USC 55, Oklahoma 19
01/01/04 Sugar Bowl L LSU 21, Oklahoma 14
01/01/03 Rose Bowl W Oklahoma 34, Washington State 14
01/01/02 Cotton Bowl W Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 3
01/03/01 Orange Bowl W Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2
12/31/99 Independence Bowl L Ole Miss 27, Oklahoma 25

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Is Ford built for Ostate

Its good to be the men's basketball coach at Oklahoma State. The Tulsa World released some of the highlights of the contract.

I really like the clause about another school having to pay OSU in 30 days of hiring him because I believe Travis Ford will not be at Ostate for a long period of time. Maybe 4-6 years and if so that will be a good thing because Ford has won a lot of games some big games for the Cowboy program. If Ostate can keep him longer then the 4-6 years then kudos to them.
I really like the way Travis gets after it and the style of basketball he brings, although, I think he can slow down a touch on his temper and the way he handles officials, and I think he will as he learns the ropes on this high level.

Attendance may be another factor for Ford leaving Payne County someday.

In addition to the $20.375 million that Ford could earn in base salary and talent/personal services compensation, OSU also will contribute $400,000 annually to an employee retirement program for the coach.

The contract stipulates that if Ford terminates the contractual agreement without cause, he — or his new employer — must pay OSU $3 million within 30 days.

Ford also agreed that he will not personally — or indirectly through any authorized agent or representative — inquire into, seek, negotiate for, or accept other full-time or part-time employment of any nature without first obtaining written permission from the athletic director and university president. Permission will not be "unreasonably withheld," according to the contract.

Ford's contractual perks include a fully insured, dealer-provided automobile, initiation fees and membership at Karsten Creek Golf Club, up to 30 tickets per home basketball game, a corporate suite at Gallagher-Iba Arena for regular-season home basketball games and four tickets per home football game.

Eyes of Texas are tearing up

Some University of Texas faculty question whether football coach Mack Brown is worth $5 million annually when the school faces tough budget choices.

University system regents last week decided Brown deserved more money, raising his annual pay from $3 million.

A resolution approved Monday, in an informal vote during a UT Faculty Council meeting, said the $5 million deal was "unseemly and inappropriate."

Do remember this, the University of Texas athletics earned more money in marketing then any other school with 80 million plus in 2008. Its safe to say that Mack Brown is responsible for some of that income into the university.

Here is another scenario in the pay raise that the faculty need to realize and go gripe somewhere else. Brown's salary is paid with money raised by athletic department revenues.

Hello? Makes sense to me. Does it to you?

I understand academics over athletics and am surronded by educators so save those comments and emails.

Monday, December 14, 2009

12 Jays earn 5A-2 All District honors

Head Coach Rafe Watkins announced 12 members of the 2009 Guthrie Football program landed on the 5A-2 All District teams at the Guthrie Football Banquet on Sunday (December 13th).

In total four Jays made the first team, four made the second team, and four named honorable mention.

Headlining the list is linebacker Jaden Chappell, who just missed out as the Defensive Most Valuable Player. Chappell finished the season with 145 tackles to rank him fifth in Class 5A. Chappell also finished with two sacks, two interceptions, and three touchdowns in his senior campaign.

Dustin Bowman was an unanimous decision at center and only BlueJay offensive player to make the first team list for the 5A-2 team. The two-year starter was perhaps the smallest center, but opposing coaches talked about his toughness and was an easy decision.

Dustin Bohanan was selected as a first team defensive back for his defensive work. Bohanan was crucial for the Jays in the return game, including two big returns in the playoffs that either scored or set up a score.

Defensive lineman Mikey Johns made the first team and Coach Watkins openly admits that Johns is the hardest player he has ever coached at Guthrie High School and the results have shown for the under sized linemen.

Hank Hudson and Zach Olsen each were named second team wide receivers, Devin Williams was named to the second team defensive back field, and Martell Oates was second team on the defensive line.

Brady Blanchard, Ricky Ware, Blaine Smedley, and Corbin Crockett were named honorable mention.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

BlueJay Wrestling preparing for season

The BlueJay Wrestling team hits the mat for the first time for the 2009-2010 season when they host Perkins, December 10th, inside the Guthrie High School gymnasium.


The Junior High starts at 6:00 and the high school will immediately follow them with a scheduled start time of 7:00.

Guthrie won the dual a year ago 59-10 over the Demons. This season Guthrie enters ranked 14th in the tournament rankings by the coaches.




The Perkins dual is just one of four home matches for the Jays. The next home dual is not slated until January 21st.



Guthrie will quickly turn around for the Putnam City Tournament, Dec. 11 and 12, that the Jays won a season ago. The tournament win was the first for a Guthrie team since 1982 when they won the Carl Albert Tournament.



Guthrie will rely on senior Kolt Rinehart, who is a two-time state qualifier, and is set for the 125 division.



Sophomore Landry Chappell along with David Moody and Dennis Murphy will have to help fill the void of Ryan Bilyeu and John Kane from last years team.



Justin Ball, Cole Minter, Timothy O'Connor, Jared Bell, Austin O'Connor, Camden Helm, Dillion Marshall, Ryan Kitch, Ryan Medina, Bryan Dutton, Jeff Russell, Devin Bilyeu, Ryan Smith, David Bryant, Michael Conner, Tanner Goddard, John Davidson, and Zach Brown fill out the roster for Jays head coach Jack O'Connor.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bye Bye Guthrie

As I wrote a few weeks ago Guthrie has lost the prestigious honor of having the Warren Spahn Award in town as it has been shifted to Oklahoma City. Read more.

New York Yankee's CC Sabathia has won the award, once again, this season for the third straight year and while I'm not 100% sure he will not step foot in Guthrie, I seriously doubt he does.

"I am honored to receive the 2009 Warren Spahn Award," Sabathia said in a release. "My wife Amber and I have had the privilege of being in Oklahoma City the last two years and we're always impressed by their first-class event and warm hospitality."

No mention of Guthrie.

"CC Sabathia is a world-class athlete and also an all-round class act," said Spahn Award Chairman Bill Hickman. "His gracious participation in the past two Spahn Award galas has raised Oklahoma City’s profile as a big league city and enriched even more the legacy of baseball legend Warren Spahn."

No mention of Guthrie, but sure am glad it has raised the OKC profile of being big league.

Was the state seal not enough?

A look at the Norman North Winter Classic

High School basketball is underway despite some schools looking to play their first game including both Guthrie teams.

The Lady Jays get their shot first when they play in the Norman North Winter Classic this week when they open up with Norman North. Here is a break down of the Winter Classic. You can view the bracket on Guthrie Sports Page.

This tournament will not be one of the tops in the state this season with ranked teams, but two or three wins for any of these teams will be good to start their season. Shawnee is the only team in the field that had a winning 08-09 season and is one of four 6A teams in the field. Guthrie is one of three 5A teams, and SW Missouri the one team from out of state.

Moore - 3-18 a year ago and return one starter

Western Heights - 7-15 a year ago, but should be improved this season

Shawnee - 15-10 a season ago and has made the move up 6A despite not playing many 6A teams this season.

Ardmore - 5-18 a year ago, but returns lots of experience

Norman North - 10-14 in 08-09 but returns junior Mariah Turner, who may be a Division I athlete

Guthrie - 6-16 last season and appears will be more athletic this season to fit Terry Carris's style of play. Early test with Turner and 6A Norman North.

SW Missouri - do not know much about them except that they are located in the south west part of Missouri

Muskogee - 2-22 a season ago, but will have inside presence with 6-3 sophomore Deana Moore

Monday, December 7, 2009

OU vs Stanford in the Sun Bowl

The Sun Bowl, I assume, could not be much happier with the match up they will have with Oklahoma and Stanford.

The name Oklahoma and Stanford's Heisman hopeful Toby Gerhart have brought smiles to El Paso, Texas. Bob Stoops vs Jim Harbaugh helps the headlines as well.

OU fans may feel like they have already won with Stoops announcing he was going to be coaching the Sooners next season and beyond after rumors swirled about him going to Notre Dame.

Both teams are 2-0 in the Sun Bowl. Oklahoma got wins in 1981 and 1993 while Stanford picked up win in 1977 and 1996.

The Cardinal may be without their starting quarterback Andrew Luck due to surgery on his finger. If so, Tavita Pritchard will get the start.

The key match up will be Gerhart against the OU defense. The Sooners have been very good against the run this season and have had good game plans in the past against players like Gerhart.

OSU vs Mississippi in Cotton Bowl

Oklahoma State wanted their first BCS berth and were perhaps a game away from that, but the Cowboys will be going to their fourth bowl game in a row and winners of two of their last three bowl games.

The Cotton Bowl with the Cowboys and Ole Miss is another rematch of the 2004 Cotton Bowl (Ole Miss won 31-28), but the '09 will be better simply because it is at Jerry's World. The Cotton Bowl (in Dallas) itself has made nice improvements over the last few years as I have seen personally, but its no Jerry World, and of course, it will cost more for fans to go to Jerry's World.

Ole Miss is 3-1 when playing in the Cotton Bowl and Oklahoma State is 1-1.

The game itself has two teams with mirror images. The quarterbacks and running backs will be interesting to watch. You know, Houston Nutt will have some added motivation as the Ole Miss coach, who played and coached for the Cowboys in the late 70's and 80's.

Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead has been good and has been average this season. Snead and the Rebels played in this bowl game a year ago and defeated Texas Tech 47-34.

OSU is coming off their worse game of the season, but will be numerous of days away from January 2nd.

2009 Heisman ballot

This may be a good season for the Heisman to take a vacation because not sure there really is anyone who has won it convincingly.

Stanford's Toby Gerhart leads the NCAA in rushing with 1736 yards and 26 touchdowns while Alabama's Mark Ingram piled up 1542 yards and 15 scores. Not sure how Gerhart would have done in the SEC, but am positive it would not be his current numbers. However, that should not be the factor, as too, Ingram being the best player on the best team does not factor either.

Tim Tebow is not going to win a second Heisman, or a third national championship. Colt McCoy did not help his status in his last game, but it is a season award and not one game. It is definitely not a career trophy. If that was the case then it would be a showdown between Tebow and McCoy.

I really have liked watching Houston's Case Keenum this season with his numbers that match Playstation numbers, but Houston's schedule is not that of Tebow and McCoy.

If Chris Evans had a Heisman ballot here is how it would be filled out:

1. Ndamukong Suh
2. Toby Gerhart
3. Colt McCoy

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Basketball season is officially here

Well with all the football state championships being concluded this weekend we can officially say it is basketball season. I have been kinda bah hum bug on basketball, but starting to come around and getting out of football mode.

The two time defending state champions, Guthrie BlueJays, are gearing up for another deep playoff run while the Lady Jays appear are going to be more athletic then maybe then years past. Athletic, but young.

Lady Jays coach Terry Carris has added Jeff Ball and Jeff Fuller to the coaching roster and that is a positive move for the program.

If only we can get more then just six home games on the schedule. Its hard to do with the three tournaments, a 10 team conference, and a Super Saturday. I like the Super Saturday, but sure would like to see more home games.

Cant wait to hear the new sound system inside the gym. The equipment has been purchased and delivered. Just waiting on the installation. Trust me, it will be one of the best systems in the state with wireless mic's and six 12" speakers.

Congrats to the 7th grade boys basketball team on winning the Perkins Tournament and also good job to the 7th grade girls basketball team taking third in the same tourney. Scott Mick is the girls head coach and should be entertaining to watch this season.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Looking ahead to 2010 Guthrie Football

Its never to early to look ahead to the 2010 Guthrie football season, the Monday after the 2009 season, and the Jays will be in the mix for another deep run in the playoffs.

Offensively, Guthrie returns a solid nucleus something that was not the case for the 2009 season with seven starters. Bryan Dutton, Kentrell Brothers, both running backs Derrick Kelly and Alphonso Wilcox, and three offensive linemen that have playoff experience, but return four with experience.

The Dutton/Brothers show will be entertaining to watch with a year together that saw 1,122 yards and 12 scores between them.

Devonte McCully comes back to the wide receiver spot, but the Jays will have to find some receivers. Richard Brothers, sophomore to be and younger brother of Kentrell, you assume may fit into that role. John Clark and Luke Davis have proven they can play multiple spots and receiver being one of them.

Special teams will be aided by Davis in the kick and punt return game. Guthrie will have to find a kicker and punter with the graduation of Zach Olsen and Hank Hudson. Snapper, Hayden Seifert returns for his junior campaign.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, Guthrie will have to find 145 tackles that Jaden Chappell leaves behind along with Brady Blanchard, but Landry Chappell returns to the middle of the defense and Clark's production will be increased.

The front four will have to be replace up the middle, but the book ends return with Felix Scott and Kentrell.

The Jays will have to find two new corner backs, but return Luke Davis and Marcus Ware to the secondary, who will bring experience with both each playing in three playoff games.

The secondary will be challenged in the non district portion of the schedule with Enid and Ponca City's ability to throw the ball. The defensive line will be challenged by Duncan's run game in week one, but the schedule sits up nicely to find out where the Jays stand heading into district play.

Ada, Noble, Carl Albert, El Reno, Western Heights, Southeast, and Deer Creek join Guthrie in the new 5A-1. Guthrie will be challenged by Carl Albert for the district title. Deer Creek, Ada, and Noble will fight for two other playoff slots.

2009 season in review

The 2009 Guthrie football season is one to remember. Sure, its not as special as 2002 or 2007, but the '09 Jays will be remembered for many things.

Despite the five losses, the most in one season under Rafe Watkins, this squad was Watkins fourth team to reach the state semi finals in his nine seasons. Still many did not believe Guthrie was a semi final team even when the playoff bracket was released. Of course, it was gloom and doom after the 0-2 start.

Bryan Dutton winning the quarterback race was a much talked about topic in the first three weeks of the season. Turns out the 15 year old not only won the job, but took it to another level. Dutton finished with 2,535 all purpose yards, including 2,101 passing yards, 26 passing scores, and 10 interceptions.

Dutton now ranks second in GHS history with most passing yards and most touchdowns passing in a single season behind Keaton Callins 2008 season (2,352 yards and 31 passing scores). Dutton, obviously, well have a great chance to become the all time passer for a career in Guthrie history before the end of next season.

The numbers are impressive for any quarterback in 5A football, but Dutton's ability to handle the quarterback job on and off the field speaks volumes how tough he is and will be in the next three seasons. Mental toughness is what will make Dutton a tough customer in the future.

Dutton's primary target was Kentrell Brothers, who will be the next Division I athlete to leave the Guthrie football program. Brothers finishes the season with 62-catches for 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns.

According to my numbers and records that I currently have, Brothers set records in most catches and most yards receiving for a BlueJay in a season. I am still working on Keonta Golston's numbers, but believe Kentrell may have become the first BlueJay to go over 1,000 yards receiving. If not, the list is not very long, but having said that Kentrell is on pace to lead all the Jays receiving records.

The thing that many people may not know that Kentrell leads the entire state with 17 sacks. A season ago he finished with 15. Skyler Smith helped a season ago with the 15 as teams ran away from Skyler, but this season, and next season, they are running away from Kentrell.

The offensive line was a work in a progress. The nucleus from Day 1 was center Dustin Bowman and when he looked to his left and right he saw multiple sophomores joining him in the trenches. The group was much improved by playoff time with Blake Belcher, Hayden Seifert, Ricky Ware, and Bryce Sullivan.

Senior Zach Olsen was a pleasant surprise for the Jays this season, despite his injuries. Olsen finished with 20-catches for 256-yards with a one touchdown, but came up with multiple big catches this season particularly in the win over Piedmont and his catch against Bixby that kept a drive alive.

Continuing on with nice surprises, Corbin Crockett will be remembered for the game winning 55-yard touchdown against East Central, as well as being interfered with on the fake field goal. Crockett finished with 201 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Not too bad after not playing the game in three years.

What a break out season sophomore Landry Chappell had with 177 tackles that ranks him seventh in the entire state. Chappell came on as a freshmen and played an important role, but his role was majorly increased this season.

Cousin Jaden Chappell finished a great career with 145 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and three touchdowns in his senior campaign. Chappell, a three year starter, played in the secondary for the '07 title team. Both Jaden and Landry played hurt in the last few weeks, but were not about to use that for an excuse.

Luke Davis finished with 112 tackles and no telling how many of those were open field tackles. The speedy sophomore, who also played as a freshmen, will have a chance to finish his career with maybe close to 400 tackles.

Kentrell was a force that I mentioned earlier, but his fellow mates on the defensive line helped make it hard for opponents to run the ball this season. Martell Oates, Blaine Smedley, Mike Johns, and Felix Scott. The group provided a solid front seven.

John Clark was valuable on both sides of the ball and will be a key player for the Jays next season as a junior. Clark played multiple spots on both sides and played them all well.

Brady Blanchard continue to improve as the games got more and more important.

Devin Williams and Dustin Bohanan, both seniors, played big roles in the secondary and in the playoffs played well. Williams sealed the deal with the interception against East Central and Bohanan finished with numerous knock down passes in the post season.

As I have said many times, the Guthrie coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for what they have achieved this season. The Guthrie offense was tweaked throughout the year to be able to make it as far as they did. The defense was, once again, one of the best in 5A and reflects the great defensive mind of Kelly Beeby.

Beeby deserves a lot of credit for what he does and the results and dominance on the defensive side is proof enough over the past six seasons.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Guthrie News Leader shows true colors

To no surprise at all, the Guthrie News Leader has shown their true colors, once again, toward GuthrieSportsPage.com. I suppose the higher up is not the biggest GSP fan out there.

I suppose the higher up see's Guthrie Sports Page as competition? Kinda silly, but okay.

GNL asked if they could use a photo of a Kacey Acker signing with SNU. At first I was reluctant to do so because I have given them information, stats, and other tidbits in the past and of course there was no credit given to Guthrie Sports Page, but Kacey deserved her picture to be in the paper so everyone could see what she has accomplished so I did it for her and only her. By no means for GNL.

Although, it was on Guthrie Sports Page 30 minutes after she had signed her letter.

So, I sent GNL a picture of Kacey signing and put Guthrie Sports Page in the lower right corner of the photo. After all, GNL requested to use GSP material and guess what? Yep, it was cropped out and put into the paper with no mention of Guthrie Sports Page. Not that Guthrie Sports Page needs any attention from GNL.

I have held back numerous of times when GNL has done this type of thing in the past, but for some reason this time it hit a nerve.

As many people know, I am very easy to get along with and will continue to do so, but chalk this one up as a lesson learned, again.

Donte Foster helps lead to rout

Donte' Foster scored 14 points for Semionle State to help give his team a 96-56 rout of Eastern Oklahoma State Monday night in Seminole.

The BlueJay alum is among the scoring leaders for the Trojans.

Seminole State will return to action Saturday at Collin County (TX).

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Guthrie v Bixby series

The Guthrie BlueJays and the Bixby Spartans have become familiar with each other over the years. Especially come playoff time.

Jays and Spartans prepare to meet, in Stillwater, Friday night for the right to play in the Class 5A state championship game against either Carl Albert, or El Reno next week at Boone Pickens Stadium.

This game will mark the fourth meeting in five years and all coming in the playoffs. Ironically, Guthrie has been the visitors and naturally in the white uniforms. Nothing different this week, Guthrie is the visitors and if they play next week? Yep, visitors.

Here are the previous three results:

2005 at Bixby
Guthrie 14
Bixby 28

2006 at Bixby
Guthrie 31
Bixby 15

2007 at OU (state championship game)
Guthrie 16
Bixby 3

To read the game story of the '07 game please Click here.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Chappell cousins are good and tough

Landry has been doing it for two years while cousin Jaden Chappell has been doing it for three years. The Chappell cousins are having so much fun that cousin Corbin Crockett decided to join the fun.

The trio made their impact in not only the win over East Central, but for the success of the 2009 season.

Crockett brought in the eventual game winning catch and caught in stride as if he was a 3-year letterman and not just someone who came out his senior year.

The Chappell's were almost on empty playing defense fighting through pain, but good luck finding them pulling over on the side and watching.

Stats and numbers are there for the Chappell's. Landry, just a sophomore, is second in 5A with 157 tackles and ranks 10th in the state. Jaden has 133 tackles and is 5th best in Class 5A and was on the state title team in '07, but their will to win is a major reason why they are practicing on Thanksgiving Day this year.

Brothers passes 1000 yards

Guthrie's junior wide receiver and defensive specialist piled on another game of 100-yards with 119 in the win over East Central to move him over 1,000 yards receiving.

1,019 yards to be exact on 56 catches and 12 of those for touchdowns. Brothers is averaging 18.19 yards per catch. Brothers leads 5A in yards receiving, needs three catches for most receptions in 5A, and needs two touchdowns to tie Kelley's Joe Dowdell's for the most touchdowns receiving.

Compare that 2009 graduate Donte' Foster who finished with 51 catches, 938 yards, and 14 touchdowns receiving with an average of 18.39 per reception.

Brothers will finish 5A with most sacks and has a chance of finishing as the state's leading sacker. Currently, he has 16 and is tied for second in the state behind Sallisaw's Caleb Gastelum.

Guthrie-Bixby: By The Numbers










Passing
Guthrie 120
Bixby 175

Rushing
Guthrie 159
Bixby 163

Total Offense
Guthrie 279
Bixby 339

Total Points
Guthrie 26 average
Bixby 27 average

Passing Allowed
Guthrie 95
Bixby 127

Rushing Allowed
Guthrie 107
Bixby 87

Offense Allowed
Guthrie 203
Bixby 214

Points Allowed
Guthrie 14
Bixby 14

Dutton moving up GHS passing ladder

Just 13-weeks ago there was a question as to who was going to win out the quarterback job in Guthrie, and whoever won it was going to have some big shoes to fill with Keaton Callins setting the standard as a GHS passing quarterback.

Not sure what size cleat Bryan Dutton wears, but it fits.

Dutton has helped lead his team to a state semi final berth this week against Bixby. This story could be compared to Sam Bradford a season ago at OU as far as being in a 3-way battle in the summer and named starter prior to the first game.

Sure, every quarterback needs a receiver. Keaton had Donte' Foster, Bradford had multiple options, and Dutton has Kentrell Brothers. Safe to say OU had one of the best offensive line's in the nation and Guthrie's 2008 offensive line was better then this year's group.

With that said, the improvement this young line has made speaks volumes after starting four sophomores this year. How many times can we give credit to the Guthrie coaching staff for improved offensive line play? Seems like we are doing that every year and every year deservingly so.

In addition, the running game was more effective last year for the Jays, in which again, speaks volumes for Dutton and the offense this season.

Dutton has passed for 1,912 yards this season and ranks second all time in Guthrie history for most yards passing in a single season. Callins set that plateau, in 2008, with 2,352yards. Callins also has the most passing yards in a career at Guthrie with 3,544 yards.

Dutton passed Brent Hodge's 1,603 passing yards in the 2004 season.

Dutton, who is not even pictured in the varsity team photo that was taken in August, has completed 60.0% of his passes and ranks third all time behind Callins' two previous seasons (60.7% in '08 and 67.9% in '07).

Dutton ranks second with most passing scores in one season, in GHS history, with 26. Again, leading the way is Callins with 31 last year.

Stats and numbers are just that. What may be more impressive is Dutton has had to learn on the go and was forced into the position and give credit to the GHS coaching staff, who believed he could handle the job for a program that has raised its standards to a whole new level in the past eight seasons.

Not to shabby for a kid who needs a ride after practice. For the record, he will need a ride after baseball practice this spring because he will be starting for the varsity baseball team too. Not only play, but play up the middle and more then likely in the two-hole spot.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bixby rallies past Wolves into semis

From the Tulsa World

By DUANE DAPRON World Correspondent
Published: 11/21/2009

SHAWNEE — Bixby called on a seldom-used, but highly reliable play to produce big dividends in the clutch Friday night.

DeWitt Jennings III's 37-yard halfback option pass for a touchdown to Donovan Wilson with just under four minutes to play proved to be the game-winning points, and the Spartans held off a last-gasp Shawnee drive to stun the unbeaten Wolves 28-21 in a Class 5A playoff quarterfinal at Jim Thorpe Stadium.

With the win, the No. 8 Spartans (8-4) will advance to the semifinals for the second time in three years and meet No. 10 Guthrie (8-4) next week.

The winning touchdown capped a 98-yard drive and ended a 21-point blitz for Bixby, which rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit. Bixby held on with a goal-line stand at the 1-yard line in the final seconds.

On the winning score, Bixby faced a second-and-16 from the Shawnee 37. Jennings took a pitch from quarterback Kevin Lamb, rolled to his right and lofted a pass to Wilson, who outmuscled a Wolves defender for the decisive touchdown.

"We have used that play two times in the last three years, and we have scored both times with it," Bixby head coach Pat McGrew said. "It's been a big, big play for us."

In 2007, the Spartans called the same play (with Jennings hooking up with Tyler McGrew for the score) in the Spartans' home quarterfinal victory against Midwest City Carl Albert.

Besides tossing the clinching TD pass, Jennings ignited the winning drive with carries of 31 and 21 yards to move Bixby from its own 2-yard line to the Shawnee 46.

"DeWitt was unbelievable, but he was great because of the play of our offensive line," McGrew said.

Jennings rushed for a game-high 119 yards on 15 carries and had rushing TDs of 27 and 8 yards. After his two long runs started the TD drive, he caught a key 18-yard pass from Lamb on third-and-13 to move the ball to the Shawnee 31. Two plays later, Jennings hooked up with Wilson on the game-winner.

"I just went up to get the ball at its highest point, just like the coaches have told me to do," the junior wide receiver said.

Trailing 28-21, Shawnee (11-1) made one last drive in the final minutes. Starting at its own 28, the Wolves drove to the Spartans 1-yard line, where Shawnee faced fourth down in the closing seconds.

With no timeouts left, Shawnee quarterback Brayle Brown fumbled after he was hit by Bixby's Reed Timms. Adam Grinstead recovered to give the Spartans the ball with just one second to go.

Brown passed for three first-half touchdowns and finished with 219 yards through the air. But Shawnee didn't score in the second half.

"Our defense put pressure on Shawnee in the second half and we didn't let them have the big play," McGrew said.

Bixby amassed 174 yards through the air with Austin White netting four receptions for 75 yards. Wilson had 62 yards on just two catches.

BIXBY 28, SHAWNEE 21

Bixby 0 7 14 7 — 28
Shawnee 14 7 0 0 — 21

S: Davis 15 pass from Brown (Daniel kick)

S: Davis 17 pass from Brown (Young kick)

B: Jennings 27 run (Fiscus kick)

S: Saxon 31 pass from Brown (Young kick)

B: White 11 pass from Lamb (Fiscus kick)

B: Jennings 8 run (Fiscus kick)

B: Wilson 37 pass from Jennings (Fiscus kick)

Bixby Shawnee
First Downs 17 17
Rushes-Yards 33-153 40-113
Passing Yards 174 219
Comp-Att-Int 8-12-1 15-26-1
Punts-Avg 3-37.0 4-26.8
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 1-1
Penalties-Yards 7-75 6-30



By DUANE DAPRON World Correspondent

2009 Bixby Spartans results

9/4/2009
Home Jenks (6A) #2 6-47L

9/11/2009
Home Glenpool (4A) #1 14-35L

9/18/2009
Home Claremore (6A) #20 35-20W

9/25/2009
Away Miami (5A) ** 49-7W

10/2/2009
Home Bishop Kelley (5A) ** #3 17-21L

10/9/2009
Away Nathan Hale (5A) ** #20 42-8W

10/15/2009
Home Pryor (5A) ** #17 41-10W

10/23/2009
Home Skiatook (5A) ** 28-0W

10/30/2009
Home Will Rogers (5A) ** 52-0W

11/5/2009
Away Booker T Washington (5A) ** #17 2-10L

11/13/2009
Home Central (Tulsa) (5A) #8 17-13W

11/20/2009
Away Shawnee (5A) #2 28-21W

Friday, November 20, 2009

Final picks for 6A and 5A

Well, Friday is finally here and I am ready to give my final predictions for the two largest classes.

Class 6A

Southmoore 28, Bartlesville 27
Jenks 35, Edmond Memorial 13
Broken Arrow 31, Midwest City 14
Union 34, Lawton 14

Class 5A

El Reno 28, McAlester 24
Carl Albert 21, Kelley 20
Shawnee 33, Bixby 20
Guthrie vs East Central can be heard on 105.1 or on Guthrie Sports Page Radio.

Of the seven games, I am going with three East schools and four west side schools. Barry Lewis, of the Tulsa World, has gone with seven East side teams to win out of eight games. However, if McAlester was a little closer to the Tulsa area it would be eight east side schools winning.

Seems a little too heavy on his area teams, but again those are the teams he sees and would want to see to win. Not a problem with me, I suppose, but needs to be a little more objective. Then again, that is what he believes, right?

For the record, The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber has picked five East side schools to win.

Of course, we and I will find out tonight.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sports Museum now in OKC; it stinks

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Museum had its official grand opening Tuesday, in Oklahoma City.

Here is the story: http://www.newsok.com/article/3417987?searched=sports%20museum&custom_click=search

No more professional baseball players coming to Guthrie, no Warren Spahn winner coming, no more sports media attention coming to Guthrie, no more sports icons coming to Guthrie, and all the publicity will be now focused in OKC.

Here is the link to the Warren Spahn award: http://www.okcspahnawards.com/

Oh sure, Guthrie's part will be mention sometimes at the end of stories and or news broadcasts. Doubtful, maybe. That has already started to happen. Not sure I have heard or read the "G" word with the "merge."

Here is the link to the Jim Thorpe Museum Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame's web site: http://www.jimthorpeassoc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142&Itemid=6

I imagine if there is anything new to the museum it would go to OKC? So what will the Guthrie location have to offer now?

It was fun while it lasted. The original memorabilia is still in Guthrie and lets hope that stays, but have a feeling it may disappear like the state seal did years ago.

McDonald, Rangers ge season ending win

The Northwestern OK State Ranger football team had no problem with Oklahoma Panhandle State in the season finale 68-28.

Guthrie's 2008 graduate Kent McDonald caught three passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Northwestern finished the season at 7-3 overall and at 5-0 in the Central States Football League.

The Rangers will lose seven seniors including Guthrie's Kevin McDonald and Kyle Koricanek.

There was a total of nine Jays on the roster this season for the Rangers: K. McDonald, K. McDonald, Koricanek, Keaton Callins, Michael Harmon, Jon Washignton, James Day, Josh King, and Clayton Smith.

Ryan Bilyeu secures first place finish

The US Military Academy Prep School had an impressive showing by placing two first place finishes, including Guthrie's Ryan Bilyeu.

Bilyeu, a 2009 Guthrie grad, dropped weight from 149 to 141 to compete in the Titan Open, in New York.

The previous night Bilyeu dropped an 8-11 decision in a dual with Navy Prep.

Donte Foster helps secure two wins

The Seminole State College men’s basketball team traveled to Coffeyville, Kansas this weekend to participate in the Coffeyville Bricktown Classic and came away with two victories. The Trojans are now 4-1 for the season.

Guthrie's 2009 graduate Donte' Foster scored 9 points in the win over Neosho County Communtiy College by a final score of 69-59.

In the second game of the Classic on Saturday, the Trojans were matched up against Coffeyville Community College and came away with a 59-54 win. Foster finished with 13 points in the win.

Foster is averaging double digits in scoring five games into the season for the Trojans.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

DISMUKE & BROTHERS, NOT THE ONLY SHOW

The following was supplied to Guthrie Sports Page. If you have any features you would like to share please email at cevans@guthriesportspage.com

November 17, 2009
Josh McCuistion
SoonerScoop.com Associate Editor

DUNCAN, Okla. - The match-up of Guthrie and Duncan brought together two of Oklahoma's top juniors. The fact that the two would face off against each other throughout the game and even knew each other personally only added to the battle between Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers and Dylan Dismuke of Duncan.

Dismuke can be a special offensive lineman in the future.
The two battled it out throughout but Guthrie's impressive team speed helped them pull off a surprising road win over the Demons, 20-12.

Brothers has been well known since putting together a sophomore season that was the envy of about any high school senior around the country. Meanwhile Dismuke had made his name at several team camps and has built on it with a solid junior season.

The two matched up frequently and while Dismuke's massive 6-foot-7, 285-pound frame took home the majority of victories it's hard to argue that Brothers was anything other than the player of the game.

Not only was he a disruptive force when the Bluejays found a way to avoid lining him up across from Dismuke but he also made big plays in the passing game and even cemented the game in the final seconds on a strange special teams play.

On fourth down with less than 15-second to go Guthrie was set to punt but elected to have Brothers attempt to run out the clock. During the run he was nearly tackled around Guthrie's goal line in what could have set up a chance for Duncan to pull off a miraculous final score.

However, Brothers outran the Duncan defense turned up the corner and nearly ran for a touchdown before being tripped up 80-yards away from where the play begin and probably 150-yards of dodging and diving from Brothers later.

Dismuke also made plenty of plays although they may not be as exciting as the moments Brothers enjoyed through the game. His massive frame and lean build makes it easy to see how he projects as a college offensive tackle, and potentially a protector of a quarterback's blind side.

The two's battle may have been the focal point of the game but was far from the only thing worth watching.

Brothers was joined in the Bluejays receiving corps by Devonte McCully who for the second straight time with SoonerScoop.com in attendance failed to make a catch but did show an ability to block down the field and impact the game even if he wasn't being thrown to.

As McCully is to Brothers, Dylan Laurens is to Dismuke. The talented guard has gone through massive physical growth in the past year and looks to be a player that plenty of college coaches will be having a look at in spite of arriving without much awareness of the 6-foot-2, 275-pound prospect.

Another player that may surprise college coaches is jumbo-athlete Dominique Petties. He is still learning to play the game and to play with the physicality that his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame will allow but as he stops thinking an starts playing he'll be a late-bloomer that surprises everyone next season.

PROSPECTS:

Kentrell Brothers: Brothers is a quality athlete who showed more athleticism than I saw earlier in the season against Ardmore. He caught passes and chased plays down from behind. More than anything he answered some of the questions about lateral speed that I had wondered about for quite some time.

Dylan Dismuke: This was my first chance to watch Dismuke in live action and I can say he cemented himself as one of the state's elite prospects. His frame reminds me of Jammal Brown at a similar point in time but obviously he has played tackle far more to date than Brown had but physically and skill wise it's not as crazy as it sounds. The big blocker didn't get a chance to show off much of his ability as a pass-blocker but watching his feet there is no doubt he is capable of it.
Dylan Laurens: Laurens is a strong run blocker and what he lacks in athleticism and overwhelming stature he makes up for in tenacity and understanding of just how to play the position. The offensive lineman has a chance to be a division one guy moving forward if he'll continue to work on his footwork.

Devonte McCully: McCully is a guy with an amazing frame comparable to that of current Sooner Adron Tennell but in 96-minutes of football I've seen him do little more than block. It's not clear if he is skilled as a receiver or not simply because he isn't just not making plays the opportunities to do so aren't presenting themselves.

Dominique Petties: The big athlete moves well and shows flashes of being a real star if he can figure out the position. At this point he is an overwhelming athlete more so than a great football player but as he develops he can become a dominating force for the Demons.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Acker to play for Crimson Storm

Kacey Acker will sign her letter of intent, on Wednesday, at the Guthrie High School library to play college softball at Southern Nazarene University. SNU is located in Bethany, Oklahoma.

The 4-year starter for the softball program also plays basketball as well as help lead the Lady Jay Golf team back to the state tournament a year ago. We will have more to come on Guthrie Sports Page.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Guthrie - East Central Series

Guthrie Sports Page does not have any games played between these two schools prior to the 2001 season. If you know of any, please share.

Here are the two that I have:

2007 Guthrie 45-14 in a state semi-final game at Putnam City Stadium

2002 Guthrie 27-13 at East Central in a second round game

Ironic, but those are the same years Guthrie won their state championships. Okay, okay lets not jump that gun quite yet.

Class C second round games

Holy cow, did I see that score right, 26-6? That might have been the biggest shocker in the entire playoff's so far, but a win is a win. However, it came at a cost.

Indians quarterback Aaron McAndles suffered a broken leg in the game and is out 2 months.

I believe Shattuck gets the win in the second round, but believes Timberlake will be a steady challenge for the Indians.

I like Seiling and Forgan to win and advance.

Average scores in the first round were 42-9. Class C just got a touch more interesting however.

Class B second round

Garber, Laverne, and Canton move on for B1, but they will not have fellow PC Hunter with them in the second round as Ryan gets the win.

Congrats to Porter on not only winning district, but winning their first playoff game ever.

Garber over Kiefer, Davenport over Laverne, Depew over Ryan, and Canton over Porter as we get closer to the Garber and Canton final, agian.

Not to bad for the average score to be 50-23 when you combine the eight scores and two games that played within a touchdown.

Class A second round games

To no surprise all the home teams won their first round game. I tried to make some convincing points for Woodland and Hominy in getting a first round win, but reality hit.

Woodland was my only pick that did not come through.

This week the game match-ups improve dramatically with Watonga at Ringling and Pawnee at Stroud as very intriguing match-ups.

Here are my winners for this week: Hennessey, Talihina, Watonga, Tonkawa, Pawnee, Cashion, Salina, and OK Bible.

The toughest game to choose this week is Watonga at Ringling.

Class 2A second round games

The biggest surprise of all was Seq. Tahlequah going down to Sperry and it was not played on the baseball field, but the football field. Other then that not a whole lot of too many surprises.

This week I am going to go with Heritage Hall, Pawhuska, Davis, Lincoln Christian, Chandler, Millwood, Sperry, and Kingfisher to get wins and move on.

Davis vs John Marshall is very intriguing as the Bears are playing well.

Go figure, Sperry is hosting a second round game. Outside of Sperry, who had thought of that?

Kingfisher will have a tough task ahead of them, but not ready to go against Derek Patterson and the Jackets.

Sure would like to see Eddie Scott, a former assistant coach at Guthrie, and Pawhuska go on the road for the second straight week and get a playoff win over Morris.

Come on Duncan PA announcer

So there I was just looking at the facilities inside the Duncan press box minding my own business before we were to start The High School Huddle Game Night radio show when the Duncan PA announcer made sure I heard him say, "The fighting BlueJays, I think we are going to be having some BlueJays after this game is over."

I think he knew I was with, as I was wearing, my blue Guthrie shirt.

Naturally, I did not say a word and went on about my business. Sure wish I could have seen him afterwards to see if he was having any BlueJay...lol...Just a little sportsmanship, I know. I say it sometimes too, but not in playoff games. No need to jinx it!

Overall, the Duncan athletic department was very helpful with everything that we needed and you can tell they enjoy their football team and do a good job.

Class 3A second round picks

Well, yours truly went on that massive limb and picked Madill to win the state title and that had to be the deciding factor. Many told me to come back to earth and I refuse to do so.

What was I thinking? Perhaps, I wasn't. Still yet, everyone thought they would at least win over Blanchard. Oh well.

Seq Claremore at Tuttle
Both teams dominated in the opening round. Tuttle was my pick to make it to the championship game and am not stopping now despite Tuttle fans stomach now turning with my pick.

Purcell at Cascia Hall
Cole Swayze was back and Damien Shea added the fuel over Elgin in a game I had picked against the Dragons. It was a close game 28-27 for a very good first round game.

Cascia Hall took care of business as the win streak continues to grow and believe it grows to one more game this season with a win over Purcell. Dragon fans, you can thank me later.

Berryhill at Blanchard
Can the Lions make it two in a row in the playoffs? I say no. The 3A-1 district however gets them ready for this Berryhill team who has also seen some good teams to prepare them for this upcoming game.

Clinton at Dewey
I suppose it is now time to scare the day lights out of Clinton fans. I had picked Madill to take down Clinton in the semi's to reach the 3A title game. Well, guess what? I have to put Clinton in there now.

Why do I go against tradition and Delans Griffith to begin with?

Class 4A second round games

Oh my, the mighty have already fallen. Talking about Glenpool and my 4A state championship pick. Douglass goes on the road and gets the win to give Glenpool back-to-back losses and ends their season that earlier saw them on a 23-game winning streak.

Weatherford at Broken Bow
This game has a lot to play for because I see the winner here moving on to the state championship game. Both teams had convincing wins in the first round. However, I will go with Weatherford and their tougher schedule to win this one.

Douglass at Wagoner
The Trojans were not the only team to go on the road and get a win. Wagoner not only won, but shut-out Jay in the process as 4A-3 lost three of four games.

I am sticking with 4A-1, again, and picking Douglass to move on. Wagoner does not have a quality win this season and Douglass is playing very quality ball this season against a tough schedule.

Oologah at Star Spencer
The Bobcats could not Elk City to go away despite the 11-point win. Elk City should have given Star more of a challenge then Oologah will come Friday in the second round.

Star defeated Glenpool the prior week and are playing well with a bunch of athlete's on the field.

McGuinness at Sallisaw
Perhaps the best match-up in 4A this week. The Irish handled Tecumseh while the Black Diamonds struggled to finish off Collinsville, 31-28.

Having seen the Irish this season with Tharp, Richardson, and Ahamd, I believe the Irish move on to make it an all West state semi-final bracket.

Class 6A second round games

Bartlesville is the only team to go on the road and win as I and many others predicted to do so, but what a scare Southmoore, Midwest City, and Union received. Not to mention Mustang getting throttled on the road in a minor upset.

Looking ahead it appears I have three teams from the East and one from the West marching to the state semi's.

Bartlesville at Southmoore
Austin Haywood will be a welcome site back for the Sabercats, who did not play with a shoulder injury, and he will be needed with Ron Smith's offense coming to town.

Kirby Schoenthaler is the quarterback that no one knows on the West side of the state for the Bruins and is very effective throwing the ball.

The match-up that will decide this game is the Southmoore running game vs the Bruins defense. Both teams can throw the ball, but who will stop their opponents running game? Whoever has more yards rushing wins the game and I sticking with Southmoore to win another close game at home.

Edmond Memorial at Jenks
Edmond had the most surprising win in 6A by taking advantage of Mustang miscues and holding the Broncos to just 7 points. The Bulldogs have now allowed just 24-points in the last seven weeks. Not sure I care who they came against because it is 6A football.

Now, with all that said they must make the trip up the turnpike to Jenks where the Trojans are on a mission this season. More so this year with their coaches watching from the stands.

Jenks is my 6A pick to win it all, but the Bulldogs have nothing to lose as they take on the rich program in Jenks.

Broken Arrow at Midwest City
The Bombers had to hold off a fourth quarter rally by PC North, while Broken Arrow handled their business in round one over Enid.

I saw the Tigers a year ago go into Mustang and get a second round win, and I see them doing it again this year on the last game played on grass in MWC.

**Publisher note: As a very nice anonymous poster nicely said in a Mike Gundy tone, I did not see BA win in Mustang. I apologize. I had misremembered because I do recall Kyle Webster, Mustang QB, going on a long run on a fake punt to all but seal the game over Fulps and the Tigers. Thanks, again anonymous.

Lawton at Union
Many people did not have Lawton playing the playoffs. Others did not have them hosting a first round game, so why should anyone give them a chance against Union?

The Redskins got a scare by the wing T Claremore offense, as the Zebra's jumped out to a 9-0 lead and a 9-7 halftime lead before Union scored 27 unanswered points to get the win.

Lawton fans do not want me to pick them to win because I have not been doing it all season, so I go with Union to move on.

Week 2 of the 5A Playoff's

Everything seemed to go as plan in 5A football for the first week of the playoffs. Guthrie was the only team to go on the road and win.

As expected we have some great match-ups in the second round this week.

McAlester at El Reno
El Reno (11-0) host McAlester (10-1) after both teams won by multiple touchdowns in their first round game. This will be an interesting game, but have to give the edge to the Indians. Their defense is too strong and they have the experience from a year ago to give them the win this week. McAlester was not very sufficient last week with sloppy offensive play.

Although, McAlester could have success throwing the ball with Tony Kiefer.

Watch out though, McAlester is young and many will not want to see them on their schedule next season. A McAlester win over El Reno would surprise me, but not shocked at all.

Carl Albert at Bishop Kelley
A titanic of a match-up in Tulsa this week as the Carl Albert Titans visits undefeated Bishop Kelley. Carl Albert (9-2) are playing their best right now and that should come to no surprise because it is November. JT Realmuto and Tre Porter will be challenged by that Comet defense, but I see the Titans winning and moving on to the semi's.

If this game was played earlier this year then perhaps I would have gone with Kelley (11-0) as they were playing their best at that time when their schedule was the toughest. Kelley won their first round game for the first time in five tries under Coach Tappana.

I picked the Titans to win Class 5A so no need in stopping now.

Bixby at Shawnee
This is a very intriguing game between two schools that are familiar with each other when you go back to their days of being in 5A-3 together.

The Wolves (11-0) offense continued to put points on the board against Altus, but Bixby has one of the top defense's each year in 5A. Outside of Jenks and Glenpool, Bixby (7-4) has allowed 20-points or more in two of their last nine games.

Kevin Lamb appears to be almost completely healthy and should help Pat McGrew's offense with Dewitt Jennings, but Shawnee outscores the Bixby offense. The Wolves may take a quarter to get used to the Spartan defense, but figures it out and gets the win.

Guthrie at East Central

Guthrie has had the advantage in the playoffs in the last two meetings with a second round game in Tulsa back in 2002 and then again in 2007 on a neutral field in the state semi's.

East Central (10-1) has a very talented and balance running game with the powerful running of Jaimon Gilstrap and the speedy Chakeal Armstrong. Not to be out done, the Cardinals defense has allowed just 19-points in the last three weeks.

Guthrie (7-4) continues to hang their hat on their defense and particularly stopping the run. East Central may give the Jays their toughest challenge in stopping Gilstrap and Armstrong.

The Cardinals have seen the Eric Bennett's and Demarco Cobb's and will not be star struck when Guthrie comes rolling in, but Guthrie may present East Central with their biggest test as far as having to prepare for a balance and multi-look that the Jays present.

Kentrell Brothers: Sack Artist

Guthrie's defensive performance was something else against the Duncan Demons last Friday night. Not only holding the Demons to 12-points and zero points in the second half, but sacking quarterback Brandon Wilson eight times.

Guthrie's junior Kentrell Brothers accounted for five of those take downs. Brothers now has 16 on the year and soars on top of the 5A list with 16 total in 2009.

Brothers, who appears to be the next Division I athlete to be taken from the Guthrie football program, also finished the game with a breath taking 65-yard run to seal the Jays win.

Many outlets are predicting Brothers to be a linebacker on the next level despite being near the top of 5A in many receiving categories, including catches and receptions.

The next level will wait for the junior, who also destroyed his breakfast, Sunday morning, at Katie's Diner along with pals Chaunsey Dumas and Devante McCulley.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

2009 Guthrie Football Results

Guthrie Bluejays Team Page
Current Rank : #10 (7-4)

9/4/2009
Away Bishop McGuinness (4A) #3 7-12L

9/11/2009
Home El Reno (5A) #6 0-18L

9/18/2009
Away Piedmont (4A) 34-14W

9/25/2009
Away Durant (5A) ** #16 28-14W

10/2/2009
Home Ardmore (5A) ** #17 28-6W

10/9/2009
Away Harrah (5A) ** 35-0W

10/15/2009
Home Carl Albert (5A) ** #6 14-40L

10/23/2009
Away Shawnee (5A) ** #1 23-33L

10/30/2009
Home Capitol Hill (5A) ** 58-0W

11/6/2009
Home Noble (5A) ** 49-0W

11/13/2009
Away Duncan (5A) #9 20-12W

11/20/2009
Away Tulsa East Central (5A) #9 25-24W

Directions to Tulsa East Central Sports Complex

Directions to Tulsa East Central Complex:

1. Head south on N Division St/US-77 S toward E Oklahoma Ave
Continue to follow US-77 S 4.5 mi
2. Merge onto I-35 S 15.0 mi
3. Take exit 138A toward I-44 E/Tulsa 0.2 mi
4. Merge onto John Kilpatrick Turnpike 0.5 mi
5. Continue onto I-44 E 99.3 mi
6. Take exit 235 toward E 11 TH St 0.1 mi
7. Merge onto E Skelly Dr 413 ft
8. Turn right at E 11th St
Destination will be on the right 0.4 mi

12150 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74128-4400

East Central handles Pryor in 1st Round

Pryor 0 7 0 0 — 7
East Central 7 14 10 0 — 31

East Central gained 347 rushing yards on 48 attempts, led by the powerful running of Jaimon Gilstrap and the speedy Chakeal Armstrong, en route to a 31-7 thumping of the Pryor Tigers in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs at East Tulsa Sports Complex.

Gilstrap rushed for 174 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Armstrong finished with 17 carries for 132 yards and three touchdowns.

2009 T. East Central Schedule

Tulsa East Central Cardinals
Current Rank : #4 (10-1)
Head Coach: Travis Hill

9/4/2009
Home Nathan Hale (5A) 45-13W

9/11/2009
Away Booker T Washington (5A) #1 7-28L

9/18/2009
Home Wagoner (4A) #6 24-7W

9/24/2009
Away Central (Tulsa) (5A) ** #11 23-20W

10/2/2009
Home Stilwell (5A) ** 66-14W

10/8/2009
Away Thomas Edison (5A) ** 17-6W

10/16/2009
Home Coweta (5A) ** 28-6W

10/23/2009
Away Ada (5A) ** #10 24-21W

10/30/2009
Home McAlester (5A) ** #5 22-6W

11/6/2009
Away Tahlequah (5A) ** 46-6W

11/13/2009
Home Pryor (5A) #18 31-7W

Guthrie vs Duncan series

1978 Duncan 29-0 *
1082 Duncan 14-7
1983 Duncan 26-24
1984 Duncan 28-6
1985 Duncan 28-0
1990 Duncan 24-17
1991 Guthrie 30-6
1991 Duncan 21-13 *
1992 Duncan 27-7
1993 Duncan 14-13
1993 Duncan 38-0 *
1994 Duncan 21-13
1995 Duncan 26-0
2009 Guthrie 26-0

Duncan leads the all time series 12-2
* Denotes playoff game

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Inside the Quarters for the '09 Jays

Guthrie is outscoring their opponents in each quarter this year.

1st Quarter 64-52
2nd Quarter 96-33
3rd Quarter 63-26
4th Quarter 53-26

In the four losses for the Jays this season:

1st Quarter 10-38 *only scored against Shawnee
2nd Quarter 7-26 * only scored against McGuinness
3rd Quarter 7-26 * only scored against Carl Albert
4th Quarter 20-13

Key to winning for Guthrie over Duncan

It is plain and simple when people ask me what the key to the game with the Duncan Demons is in the first round of the play-off's.

Score first.

The Jays are 6-1 this season when they score first, but are 0-3 when their opponent score first.

Guthrie scored first against Shawnee, but the Wolves responded with the win to give the Jays their only loss when scoring first.

Okay, perhaps it's not the key to the game Friday night, but it is interesting to say the least.

Ryan BIlyeu opens up college career

Ryan Bilyeu, a 2009 Guthrie graduate, competed in his first collegiate wrestling event this past weekend. Bilyeu finished second in state last year behind Carl Albert's Jared Porter, who signed with Central Michigan yesterday.

Bilyeu wrestles and attends school at The United States Military Prep School. Here is the write up from the National Collegiate Wrestling Association on his first college event on November 7th.

At 149, USMAPS had two wrestlers, Ryan Bilyeu and Spencer Breeden. Breeden wrestled a tough first round versus Michael Slabinski, Gettysburg, who he lost by fall in the third period.

Bilyeu won his first round versus Matt Ellery, Wilkes University 5-2. Then in his second round, drew the number two seed Franklin Davis, Kings College. In this match, Bilyeu lost by a score of 5-2. Both wrestlers then had to compete with each other. In this contest, Bilyeu came up on top by a close match with a score of 6-2. Bilyeu then won by tech fall over Pat Gibson, Muhlenberg.

Next, Bilyeu then won by decision over Tom Manning, Scranton University 6-4. Lastly, Bilyeu wrestled Joey Walters of Army JV and was beaten by decision 3-1.