Dutton to take first snap

The long drawn out battle to replace Keaton Callins as the next starting GHS quarterback will be freshmen Bryan Dutton. Dutton gets his first start versus McGuinness, who also is in the process of announcing a starting quarterback as well.

Head Coach Rafe Watkins met with Dutton, Hayden Seifert, and Christian Lamb early Monday morning and informed them of the decision.

The three GHS quarterbacks each have shown strides of improvement in practice and the two scrimmages.

The last freshmen to play quarterback for the Jays was back in 2004 when Kye Staley was forced into action.

Watkins has said that he may play multiple quarterbacks in the first three games of the year.

High School Huddle

Here we go!

Season No. 2 of the High School Huddle begins Monday, August 31st, from 6:00 to 7:00 on Triple Play Sports Radio 105.1 FM, 1020 AM, and 1580 AM.

If you find yourself in China and want to listen you can always check it out on Guthrie Sports Page Radio, or on Triple Play's web site www.eteamradio.com/tripleplay/tripleplay.

Join myself, Casey Porter, Craig Fleck, and Phil Nichols as we talk Oklahoma high school athletics. Our favorite part of the show is your phone calls and you can do that by calling (405) 533-1020, or on the toll free line at 866-229-1020.

Big event getting even bigger

Kudos to Gary Boxley, Clay Tarter, and the numerous amount of Guthrie volunteer's on another great cross country meet here in Guthrie. Today was the 12th Annual Guthrie Cottonwood Flats Invitational Cross Country Meet.

Of course, it helps to have a Jays team win and a total of four BlueJays and one Lady Jay to finish in the Top 10.

This meet continues to grow and grow and outside of home football games this is the biggest event that draws high numbers with attendance for Guthrie. Not even close. Try an estimated 600 fans and then add a few hundred runners to the mix. Suppose the Guthrie merchants like that? Saw quite a bit of out-of-towner's while eating lunch at Jimmy's Egg today.

The meet gets mentioned every year in The Oklahoman as a top race and Van Shea Iven of Oklahoma High School Express marks it down on his calendar each year to come and cover this event.

The football team has become an elite program in the last 8 years, basketball is up to 6 state titles, but you want consistentcy over the last 20+ years then Guthrie Cross Country may have the advantage.

Nice of the Irish

McGuinness and private schools take a lot of heat from the general public and you can insert your opinion here, but McGuinness is one of the best in hospitality.

Their athletic department is one of the tops of taking care of media and schools that come to one of their sporting events. Sure the hospitality room is among the best in the state, but they make sure everyone is well taken care of by doing things they don't have to do.

Gary Savely, athletic director, does it right.

Fist-A-Cuffs

For the second straight year El Reno and Star Spencer got after it on the football field.

Literally.

It started out with a couple of players getting after it with words and then actions, but then Star players cleared their bench and moments later El Reno did the same as game officials and coaches got caught in the middle of the all-out fight.

After punches, body slams, and thrown helmets was controlled the scrimmage was stopped.

Guthrie plays El Reno in Week 2 for Homecoming 2009.

Thinking Out Loud

My first analysis of the Guthrie/Bishop McGuinness game that comes to my mind is not who is going to start at quarterback for either team, but inside the trenches.

The Irish will have four new offensive linemen and will have to face the front seven of the Jays. The new faces on the Irish O-line may be a good group by the end of the year, but a tough way to start the season.

Even more tough with McGuinness running old school football plays. It works well for them because they execute so well even though it is not a very flashy offense.

LaRone Richardson is a talent at running back and is awfully quick if he does get past the front seven.

Ada Scrimmage

We can now put the scrimmages to rest and prepare for games that count starting with McGuinness on Friday.

All three GHS quarterback candidates got 8-plays each and I thought really did not separate themselves that much from each other. I and many others are going have to learn that this offense is not going to be like the past offense's with everything running through the quarterback.

However, that puts more pressure on the running backs to be able to produce, but then it also puts some added pressure to the wide receivers because I would assume defenses are going to make the Jays throw the ball by cramping the box and stopping the run (nothing unusual, however).

Bryan Dutton appears to have the stronger arm of the three, but accuracy will be the key with the type of passing game the Jays like to exhibit.

With that said, the offensive coaches find ways to make that happen it seems. I am not concerned, but curious how many points the Jays can manage. The good news is that the defense appears to be another top defense this season.

The front seven look absolutely tough and if Guthrie can get the play like they did tonight from nose guard Martel Oates then they will be real tough. You can almost expect Kentrell, Felix, Landry, and Jaden to be solid each week out.

Junior Jays

I was able to make it out to the Junior High Football scrimmage and folks this program here at Guthrie is only getting stronger.

It is amazing to watch this unfold in front of our eyes.

Guthrie is lucky to have coaches like Jeff Ball, Jason Rice, Jonathan Atchley, Casey Porter, and Bryan Couch at the junior high level. Not only are they good coaches, but they too are willing to learn what Coach Watkins is wanting to have done.

The pee wee level has also turn around and that was aided by Reggie Callins taking over, but now has given the title over to Ryan Codding, who appears will continue to do what was Reggie was able to do.

Guthrie and Ada Scrimmage

Guthrie and Ada will hook up Thursday evening on beautiful Jelsma Stadium for the second and final scrimmage of the year before kicking off the 2009 season next week.

It will be fun to watch the Cougar's quarterback "Q" Quaman Black and see what he can do against the BlueJay defense. Q was a 1000 yard passer and rusher last season.

If you can't make it out be sure to listen live on Guthrie Sports Page. GSP will also have the replay at 7:00 on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Titan commits to Red Raiders

Carl Albert's Tre Porter committed to Texas Tech this morning and picked the Red Raiders over OSU.

I was almost certain that he was going to be a Cowboy and join former high school teammate Daytawion Lowe. Certain as in like 95%.

How good was that secondary for the Titans last year? Having said that, they will be good again in the secondary.

More QB Jobs

Enid is also in a quarterback battle for the starting job. Alex Patterson and Tanner Miller will try and separate themselves tonight in their first scrimmage against Guthrie and Ponca City.

Listen to the scrimmage tonight starting at 6:00 on GSP Radio.

Enid joining Scrimmage

Enid will join Guthrie and Ponca City tomorrow night for the football scrimmage. The trio did the same a year ago at Langston University after the rains came in and soaked Jelsma Stadium.

At first, Enid was not going to be able to participate.

Both Enid and Ponca City will be on the Jays schedule next year and in 2011.

Fake Grass

The bad news is Ponca City has gotten hit hard with rain and wind in the last week, or so. Much like Guthrie has, but the good news is Ponca City has the field turf and should be in excellent condition when the BlueJay faithful come rolling in tomorrow evening.

Staley to have Surgery

Oklahoma State Cowboy Kye Staley will have surgery on his right knee, on Thursday.

The Guthrie BlueJay, who was the 2007 Oklahoma Player of the Year, tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in the Oklahoma St. scrimmage this past weekend.

"It pains us to see Kye get hurt," OSU coach Mike Gundy said in a release on Monday. "We wish him the best in a speedy recovery and we look forward to his return."

So does the town of Guthrie and the BlueJay family.

Pitching Dominance

I was talking with GHS athletic director, Gary Boxley, and new GHS Principal Chad Wilson before the start of the softball game on Monday night and we all agreed that the pitching rule needs to change in HS softball.

The "24 Hour" rule would be inserted if we were on the rules committee and probably a good thing that we are not. But if a pitcher pitches 7-innings or more she should have to rest for 24 hours.

This would really affect tournament and post season play, but in softball all you need is one dominating player and you have a shot at winning.

This would also allow more strategy, much like baseball, with a rotation.

Interested in your thoughts on the 24 Hour Rule.

This is a test text blog from mobile.

On the Net

A reminder that the GSP Radio Crew will be at the Ponca City scrimmage, this Friday, with the call between Jays and Wildcats.

The game will not be on our radio home 105.1 FM, but we will have a play back show of all the scrimmages and games on Sunday's and Wednesday's throughout the year.

BlueJay Cowboys?

Talk about a tough stretch for some Guthrie grads and Oklahoma St.

Big Dave graduates O-State (very good news) but is released before the first practice of Seattle's training camp.

Everyone just knew Donte' Foster was going to end up getting that scholarship and excel at the receiver spot for the 'Boys and then Kye Staley goes down to a season ending injury before the first game.

Man, tough stretch.

Mohawk Central

I was able to attend and watch the home opener for the Lady Jays Softball team and knew football practice let out because the players started showing up and watching as well.

Not hard to miss a bunch of muscles and mo hawk's. No big deal if players support the mo hawk because of helmets, but if the coaches show up with them then we have a story.

Credit to most for waiting until Picture Day was over.

QB Battle elsewhere too

A lot of attention has been put on the quarterback race for the BlueJays, but McGuinness has a race with three candidates as well.

Junior David Krahl, Sophomore Quinn Shambour, and Sophomore Camden Tharp go into scrimmages looking for the starting spot.

Just like the Guthrie candidates, the Irish will probably put the two others somewhere else on the field.

The Irish will not depend heavy on the QB spot with junior running Larone Richardson coming off an impressive sophomore season.

Here We Go Again!

Okie dok, I do this every year and it just seems to go away so why not try again.

Talking about this blog page, of course.

There is always a lot of information that I learn on a daily basis, but felt it was to much to write a story (oh the laziness). However, if I blog about it, I dont have to write a long story and design the page, blah blah blah.