Guthrie Sports Blog with Chris Evans

This Blog Page has moved

2010-03-02T14:56:00.003-06:00

You can now find Chris Evans blog page at: http://chrisevansblog.wordpress.com/

Guthrie and El Reno play for State

2010-03-02T10:14:00.012-06:00

This Friday evening inside Harrah High School it will be a show down with the 5th ranked Guthrie BlueJays and the 8th ranked El Reno Indians. The winner moves on to next week's state tournament.

However, the loser of the Suburban Conference showdown is not done, and will have another opportunity to get to Tulsa, the following night, against either Capitol Hill or Ardmore. That game will also be played in Harrah, at 6:30.

Guthrie is the No. 2 seed team and El Reno is the No. 3 seed team from the West and both defended their home floor with regional championships. Both have outstanding head coaches and both are familiar with each others squad's.

Guthrie and El Reno are very familiar with each other over the last few seasons and definitely the last two. A year ago, they played three times, including in the very same game they will play this Friday. The Area Tournament Championship game.

Guthrie won all three games a season ago against the Indians, including a 67-47 area championship win, at Edmond North, to move on to their fourth straight state tournament. However, El Reno responded the following night with an 82-75 win over Northwest Classen to make their trip to the state tournament for the first time since 1999.

This season the two teams have split with the visiting team leaving with the bragging rights.

El Reno spoiled the Jays home opener with a gutty 52-44 back on January 12th. The Jays dominated the boards and missed plenty of opportunities in the paint, but it was Devante Moore and Chris Mustain prevailing El Reno. The game saw 14 lead changes.

The Jays split the series by spoiling El Reno's Homecoming with a convincing 48-27 win on February 9th. El Reno played without Devante Moore and allowing the Jays to be more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. The Indians did not help themselves in the third quarter by scoring just two points in the third quarter and 9 points overall in the second half to allow Guthrie to pull away.

Guthrie has the advantage down low in the paint with seniors Devon Hall and B.J. McDonald. El Reno has the advantage with two pure scorers in Moore and Chris Mustain. Travis Johnson always seems to have big buckets against Guthrie.

The Jays counter with Kentrell Brothers, who was the Guthrie Regional most valuable player, team defense, and players with multiple big games under their belts, including regional, area, and state tournament games as does El Reno, but the Jays have won their last six in State against the best.

El Reno wants the grand stage and take the down two time state champions and make their 33rd state tournament appearance. Guthrie has been there and done that before and wants their 5th straight trip to the dance and 25th overall. Regardless, someone will have two shots to get there, again.

The tip time is set for 6:30, in Harrah, and can be heard on Triple Play Sports 105.1 FM and streaming live on Guthrie Sports Page Radio.

Chris Evans 5A State Predictions

2010-03-01T12:40:00.004-06:00

Okay, time to have some fun as we await the 5A playoffs to begin at the end of this week. I will dive into the area match ups a little bit closer later this week, but here are a few nuggets.

All top eight seeds from the west move on to the area tournament. Lawton Mac is the only team to go on the road to win a regional.

McAlester was the only "minor" upset on the East side, but the top seven move on to the East area tournament. By the way, how about the two match ups in the East? Memorial and Booker T and Edison and East Central.

Memorial and Edison win and punch their ticket Friday night, but Booker T wins over T. Central, on Saturday. East Central wins over Claremore to get the fourth and final spot.

For the West, Western Heights hits a game winner at the buzzer for the seventh time this season to beat Lawton Mac and head to state. NW Classen needs two wins and they get them with wins over Carl Albert and Lawton Mac to do it.

A showdown between Guthrie and El Reno. Both have won on their opponents floor. El Reno says they did not have Devante Moore in their loss to the Jays, and Guthrie counters with not playing a very good game on their home floor.

Not sure I have any idea on who wins this game Friday evening, but I will take the two time defending state champs to win and advance to state. However, El Reno (or Guthrie) responds the next night with a win over Capitol Hill.

If all this crystal ball predictions come true then here is what we are looking at for the state tournament, in Tulsa, next week.

Tulsa Memorial vs Northwest Classen

Guthrie vs Tulsa East Central

Tulsa Edison vs El Reno

Western Heights vs Tulsa Washington

Syracuse offers Kentrell Brothers

2010-02-24T22:22:00.005-06:00

The Syracuse Orange have extended a football scholarship offer to Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers. Brothers has picked up other offers from Missouri, Duke, and Kansas State.

Brothers has attended both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State's junior days, but has yet to receive an offer from an in state team.

Last season for the Jays, Brothers earned second team All-State and All-Big City honors with 95 tackles, 17 sacks, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery. On offense he had 62 catches for 1,122 yards, 12 touchdowns, and became Guthrie's first ever 1,000 yard receiver in one season.

Brothers is expected to leave Guthrie with the most yards receiving in a career, but is being thought of as an outside linebacker on the next level.

Breaking down the Class 5A Boys West regionals

2010-02-24T10:52:00.005-06:00

The four regionals on the East side of the state for the Class 5A boys appear to be almost too predictable. Claremore, the host team, appears to be the only team to pull off an "upset" over Booker T. East Central, Edison, and Memorial should roll and make for an interesting day on Friday, March 5th, in the area tournament.

The Zebras have an outstanding record (20-1), but the quality of schedule is no where near Booker T. Claremore's best win came against then 11th ranked Bishop Kelley and their only loss came to Choctaw.

For the West its a little more complicated to sort through. There should be two great regional opening games with Lawton Mac and Deer Creek in the Ardmore Regional along with Southeast and Northwest Classen in the Guthrie Regional.

The Mac/Deer Creek winner will have a shot at the Ardmore Tigers for the regional championship. The Highlanders have split with Ardmore already this season and the Highlanders are hard to handle in their 1-3-1 zone defense (something Deer Creek may have trouble with). Ardmore has lost four of their last six games, but has been a team that has proven to win in the post season.

Southeast and Northwest Classen had a battle earlier this year with NW winning in overtime. Each team has dropped regular season games this season with Guthrie. However, the Jays are not as dominated as years past and can not assume a win from this point on after their game with Noble.

Day two will be interesting in the Western Heights Regional as the Jets and Capitol Hill should match up. Western Heights has already taken down Capitol Hill on a neutral floor (46-37). The Jets should play three games and make a rare trip to the State Tournament.

The most intriguing regional by far is the El Reno regional. Three of the four teams play in the Suburban Conference with El Reno, Carl Albert, and Chickasha. El Reno should have a pretty easy time with Ada before meeting up with Carl Albert, but Chickasha may be a little stubborn to go away too easy.

The Titans took down El Reno on Senior Night, in Midwest City, last week (68-62). Carl Albert has won six of their last seven games while El Reno has dropped three of their last five. I believe, the Titans sneak out of Canadian County with a regional championship trophy.

The area tournament may feature a Carl Albert/El Reno show down with Guthrie for an early ticket to State. The Suburban Conference could, once again, put four teams back into the state tournament and I believe it will happen with Western Heights, Guthrie, Carl Albert, and El Reno.
If not all four Suburban Conference teams punch their ticket then Northwest Classen, Capitol Hill, or Lawton Mac have put a nice string of wins to get in.

Sportcenter gets prank call on the air

2010-02-23T23:34:00.004-06:00

Scott Van Pelt and ESPN's Sportscenter received a prank call "live" during an interview of who they thought was Brian Westbrook, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the day.

Oklahoma State football recruiting confusing

2010-02-22T22:30:00.011-06:00

So Mustang's David Glidden is offered by Oklahoma State football on OSU's junior day and Guthrie grad 2009 grad Donte' Foster does not get a scholly offer?

Foster a high school stand-out, who did nothing but win and excel in whatever sport he participated in, did not handle the "football" recruiting aspect of things as well as perhaps he could have, but not sure what else the Cowboy coaches would want to see?

Kentrell Brothers attends the same Junior Day as Glidden and can not even get a sit down meeting with head coach Mike Gundy?

By no means am I taking anything away from the 5'8 158 senior to be, but some things just don't make any sense to me sometimes in the recruiting world.

Brothers has been offered by Missouri, Duke, and Kansas State already, but yet can not have a sit down meeting with Gundy. Yes, Brothers is just a junior and will continue to get big time offers from big time schools. Just wish the school 30 minutes away would be one of those to do it.

Brothers had a sit down with Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops during OU's junior day, and it is believed Stoops took time out to watch the Guthrie play maker play basketball. Something Stoops likes to do when it comes to recruiting.

Oklahoma State's sideline reporter and recruiting guru Robert Allen said, "you could easily see him in Oklahoma State's defense as a "star" linebacker with his speed and ability to make plays sideline to sideline."

I understand that Gundy and all major college football coaches get these type of blogs about this kid and that kid not getting recognized, but surely this one is different?

A top 10 kid in this state may have to go play down the road, or up the road with his friends instead of his own back yard. However, there is still plenty of time for the Cowboys to come around. It should only take a 1/8 of a tank of gasoline to get here, or a .43 cent stamp.

Suburban Conference Post Season Awards

2010-02-19T11:08:00.006-06:00

The Suburban Conference basketball season has proven to be one of the best, once again, this season and will have plenty of opportunities to land more teams into this season's state tournament for both the boys and girls.

Getting to call the Guthrie basketball games on the radio has given me an opportunity to watch all these teams play and have also gotten to watch these student athletes play for multiple years. Every year you can predict a few things that are going to happen, but what makes it fun is the surprises they come out of the season. For an example: the Western Heights boys team.

I have compiled my post season awards. Yes, they will be different from the coaches because my awards consider not only seniors, but all classifications.

Boys First Team Selections

G Dustin Giles - Western Heights
G Kentrell Brothers - Guthrie
G Devante Moore - El Reno
F Larry Cunningham - Carl Albert
F Devin Aughenbaugh - Western Heights

Boys Second Team Selections

G Chris Mustain - El Reno
G Alton Whittaker - Western Heights
G Garrett Hermanski - Deer Creek
F JT Realmuto - Carl Albert
F Devon Hall - Guthrie

Player of the Year - Devin Aughenbaugh
Most Valuable Player - Devante Moore
Coach of the Year - Tyrone Nash - Western Heights

Girls First Team Selections

G Chelsea Robinson - Harrah
G Jessica Hobbs - Harrah
G Desiree Bradley - Carl Albert
G Kelsee Grovey - Shawnee
F Kylie Mayes - Carl Albert

Girls Second Team Selections

G Kalie Lucas - Harrah
G Kylie Boggess - Piedmont
G Charrisa Jones - El Reno
F Vivan Burns - Piedmont
F Jalyn Jackson - Deer Creek

Player of the Year - Desiree Bradley
Most Valuable Player - Kelsee Grovey
Coach of the Year - Curt Knox - Harrah

Class 5A Boys Power Rankings (02-02-2010)

2010-02-02T10:39:00.006-06:00

This is the last week where wins and losses will be calculated for the post season seeding for Class 6A and 5A. Here are my Class 5A Power Rankings as we play out the final week.

1. T. Memorial - big game with East Central Friday
2. T. Edison - drops one spot with loss to McLain
3. T. East Central - quality wins could get bigger with win over Memorial
4. Western Heights - keeps winning in the toughest 5A conference
5. T. Washington - have lost majority of the bigger games
6. El Reno - not a fancy resume, but good team with win over Guthrie
7. Guthrie - up and down season with good wins, but what team will show up
8. Ardmore - continue to be among the best in 5A, but wanting to get over the hump
9. Claremore - 12-1 record, but not sure how they would play against the elite
10. Northwest Classen - trying to sneak wins and sneaking to host a regional

Bubble: Carl Albert

Class 5A Area assignments announced

2010-01-29T23:11:00.011-06:00

The East and West have been determined for the 2010 high school basketball playoffs and no surprises with the announcements. The East appears to be strongest for both the girls and boys, but many thought the same a year ago. Here is the breakdown for Class 5A.

Class 5A West Area

Ada, Altus, Ardmore, Capitol Hill, Carl Albert, Chickasha, Deer Creek, Duncan, Durant, El Reno, Guthrie, Lawton MacArthur, Noble, Northwest, Southeast, and Western Heights.

Class 5A East Area

Bishop Kelley, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Grove, McAlester, Pryor, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Tulsa Central, Tulsa East Central, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Hale, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Rogers, and Tulsa Washington.

My Thoughts

Currently Western Heights, El Reno, Guthrie, and Ardmore in boys action have the inside track of hosting the four regionals from the West with a few weeks remaining in deciding. On the East side, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Washington, and Tulsa East Central all but have wrapped up the East regionals.

Carl Albert, Capitol Hill, and NW Classen may have a say before that final game goes into consideration.

For the ladies, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa East Central, McAlester, and Claremore are leading the charge to host. In the West, Carl Albert, El Reno, Deer Creek, and Ada have the advantage more then halfway into the season. The East has eight teams in the Top 12 according to the coaches rankings.

Booker T football coach resigns

2010-01-25T17:29:00.006-06:00

In 2008 the Booker T. Washington Hornets won the 2008 state championship, but the 2009 season was filled with controversy and that has resulted in head coach Antawain Jimmerson resigning his post Monday.

Jimmerson, who coached the Hornets in the 2002 state championship against Guthrie, was surrounded by eligibility violations which resulted in multiple forfeits. The forfeits cost the highly ranked Hornets a playoff spot.

Jimmerson was the head man for 10 seasons and was suspended indefinitely from his coaching duties and his position as athletic director in October due to the use of more than 40 ineligible student-athletes. He did not coach the final two games of the season. Jimmerson also resigned as athletic director.

Guthrie shows that they are state material

2010-01-25T11:00:00.007-06:00

For the third straight year the Guthrie boys basketball program took part in one of the elite large school tournaments in the state and came out as they did the previous two seasons. State tournament potential qualifiers.

Guthrie has been to the tournament the last four seasons and if the Jays team that played in the Titan Classic shows up in late February and early March they will be attending their fifth.

The Jays picked up wins over No. 3 Ardmore and No. 6 (6A) Midwest City this past weekend before falling short to No. 1 (4A) Douglass. Side note: if Douglass was a touch more sufficient at times they may be the best team in the state regardless of class.

Guthrie, Ardmore, Western Heights, El Reno, Carl Albert, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen are the current teams that appear to be state material on the west side of the state. Of the six teams, Guthrie will have played five of them in the regular season.

West side teams and fans, don't have any good news to report this week. The East side of the state's third best team East Central Cardinals, maybe fourth best and maybe one of the top two teams, took down 6A's No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe for the Jenks/Union Tournament championship.

Carl Albert and El Reno are teams that I believe Guthrie wants to avoid in a regional, or area tournament. Granted its going to be tough no matter what team it is in a playoff setting, but those two teams I just assume be at another gym.

The jury is still out on Western Heights, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen. I know how good those teams are in January and early February, but I also know how good El Reno, Carl Albert, and Ardmore are in regional and area play.

Devon Hall showed how good he can be for this Jays team during the Titan Classic. His inside play can be a difference down low, but he has shown he can be consistent at times with the 15 foot shot.

Kentrell Brothers has shown that he can put points on the board when needed as he forms into basketball shape. The 26 points against Piedmont was nice, but I was more impressed with his point production against better competition.

The guard play is improving and that is what I and everyone was looking for in this squad. Tim Zupo is coming onto the scene for Coach Pete Papahronis and is a nice addition to this team.

All the tournaments are over and now we have a solid month of games left before we get out the brackets and start playing games that determine your next day.

Current 5A West Power Rankings: 1. Western Heights 2. El Reno 3. Guthrie 4. Ardmore 5. Carl Albert 6. Northwest Classen 7. Capitol Hill

Who has the best basketball gym?

2010-01-18T09:49:00.006-06:00

I was thinking the other day. Who has the best basketball gym (Event Center, arena, field house) in the Suburban Conference. I have compiled my list that includes: the floor, surroundings, locker rooms, concession stand, and seating. Share your thoughts and rankings by commenting below.

1. Carl Albert - all the seating you could ever ask for, plenty of space on the playing floor, all the locker room, training room, and hospitality room space you could ever want, and you can still watch the game if you go to the concession stand.

2. Chickasha - much like Carl Albert's, but not as big. In which, gives you a more hometown feel and gets you close to the action no matter where you are sitting.

3. Shawnee - much like Chickasha and not a whole lot difference between the two, but just happens to be in the same conference, or would be the best in many conference's. Could easily be listed at number two.

4. Harrah - not as new as the top three, but did a good job of building it when they did. Students come out and get loud court side and the rest of the fans are not too far away. Nice open area to and from the concession stand.

5. Western Heights - this gym has seen a lot of improvements in recent years including a new floor and lighting. The fans seem to be a long way from the court except for the home teams student section. It can be loud and has when hosting small school playoffs.

6. El Reno - an historic field house, but the seating can be somewhat discomfort. The big arena's are nice to have, but historic places are always fun to go to.

7. Deer Creek - nothing great about this gym and nothing terrible, but watch out as they are about to build a new arena that will match the top three in the coming year or so.

8. Guthrie - not much has changed with this gym over the years, but a rowdy crowd can make it an advantage for the home team. Did improve speaker and surrond sound this season.

9. Piedmont - nothing fancy, but a nice, comfortable gym to watch a basketball game.

10. Noble - this gym can be really loud especially with the band there despite not many seats. Not a fan of the low ceiling.

Kentrell Brothers visits OU on Junior Day

2010-01-18T09:35:00.004-06:00

Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers was one of 15 Oklahoma junior's to visit the Sooners Junior Day. Brothers was Guthrie's first 1,000 yard receiver this past season, but also piled up 17 sacks and ranked at the top in the state.

Brothers will visit Missouri on January 23rd and has Oklahoma State and Tulsa on his schedule as well. Brothers attended the OU basketball game against Missouri along with lunch and a one-on-one meeting with head coach Bob Stoops.

Guthrie has sent David Washington, Kyle Smith, and Kye Staley into Division I football since 2002 and Brothers appears to be the next in line.

Here is the Complete list of Junior Day participants:

Austin Beck - OL - Nowata

Kentrell Brothers - LB - Guthrie

Daniel Davis - LB - Norman North - Stanford COMMIT

Hunter Davis - DE - Choctaw

Dylan Dismuke - OT - Duncan

Kameron Doolittle - WR - Edmond Memorial

Emilio Gatewood - ATH - OKC Millwood

Garrett Gladd - OG - Sallisaw

Davion Pearson - DT - OKC Millwood

Dominique Petties - ATH - Duncan

Kevonte Richardson - QB - OKC Millwood

Garrett Stafford - OL - Tulsa Memorial

Brandon Swindall - ATH - OKC Millwood

Kendal Thompson - Southmoore - OU COMMIT

Josh Turner - CB - OKC Millwood

Tyrequek Zimmerman - WR - Lawton

State Tournament in January? No way!

2010-01-14T14:52:00.005-06:00

Okay, so the two time defending 5A state basketball champions have lost four of their first six games this season. Does that mean its time to start to worry? Nope.

BlueJay fans have been spoiled with an impressive win/loss record in the last few seasons, but the win/loss column does not clinch your ticket to the state tournament. On all levels of basketball you will find teams with sub par .500 records make the post season dance.

I am not going to try and calculate this year’s basketball record, but come February is when you need to start to look at the entire field in Class 5A. Not January.

Not one team has won the state championship in December, January, or early February.

Granted, it is a vert good thing to be playing basketball on the West side of the state then the East this season. Have you seen the deep and talented field up the turnpike? Edison, Memorial, Washington, and East Central, but good news is the West will not run into them until March.

The West is more wide open. Are they as good as the East? No, but in a one game setting on a neutral floor anyone can win in the state tournament.

The goal for Ardmore, Western Heights, El Reno, Guthrie, NW Classen, and Capitol Hill is to host a regional. There are only four of those to go around. With that said, I’m not sure there is a real home court advantage. Perhaps, Ardmore because of the travel.

Guthrie is 6-4, but have you seen their schedule? Western Heights, El Reno, Carl Albert, NW Classen, McGuinness, and Norman North. Ardmore is upcoming in the first round of the Carl Albert Tournament and Carl Albert in February.

What the current record does show is making the conference championship game will be an uphill battle with losses to El Reno and Western Heights. Jays can still make it, but will need to get wins over El Reno and Western Heights along with two wins over Deer Creek to give themselves a chance. Then again, conference championships are not a state tournament qualifier either.

How good is the Suburban Conference North this year? Guthrie, El Reno, Deer Creek, Western Heights, and Piedmont are a combine 32 and 17.

So come playoff time, Guthrie will know exactly what they will have in front of them because they have already played top ranked teams, or have played a schedule to prepare them for what the playoffs bring.

Add in the experience factor these Jays have piled the last few seasons will give them an advantage. Granted this is not a complete team yet, but would you expect that in early January? The one common formula this team seems to have compared to other Pete Papahronis team’s is team defense and we have seen what defense can bring to trophy cases.

Guthrie is getting scoring from multiple outlets, but we are still waiting to see one player who wants to take control of a game when needed.

Every team has questions to be answered, but we will have to wait until February to get them answered.

The Hawk Answers the Call

2010-01-07T09:24:00.004-06:00

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback.

After being on the Hall of Fame ballot for the last 9 years and 22 glorious seasons on the baseball diamond, Andre Dawson has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Dawson was the only player to be voted in by the BBWAA. Bert Blyleven barely missed out with 74.2%, falling 5 votes shy.

I believe Dawson should have been a long time ago. 8 time all-star, 8 time gold glover, 4 time Silver Slugger winner. Oh ya, forgot to mention his 1977 Rookie of the Year award and his 1987 MVP award. Ya ya, I know what you’re thinking, you think I’m being bias?? Well, you’re right I’m a Cubs fan!

One thing is for sure, not very many people played the game as hard as the Hawk did, and he still has the bad knees to prove it. He played baseball for the love of the game. Andre signed a blank contract for the Cubs before his first season with the team and the Cubs GM, Dallas Green, filled it out for $500,000 making him the second lowest paid player on the team (ESPN.com). 162 games later, MVP!

After the 1987 season, Andre signed his autographs with “87 MVP” underneath is name, He can now forever change that autograph to HOF 2010.

I’ve always wanted to go to a Hall of Fame ceremony and visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame museum, now I finally have a great reason to go! Congratulations Hawk!! See ya in Cooperstown!

The Hall is Calling His Name

2010-01-03T20:33:00.007-06:00

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback.

On Wednesday, January 6, I’ll be at work sneaking my way onto the Internet in the blackjack pit instead of watching a guy lose 10 grand on a hand of blackjack because I’ll be too busy wondering if my all-time favorite baseball player makes it to the Hall of Fame!

Being a lifelong cubs fan, I’ve been waiting on this day for a long time. On his 9th attempt, Andre Dawson should be elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame…FINALLY! The Hawk finished with 67% of votes in 2009. Falling short of the 75% to be inducted.

Jim Rice and Ricky Henderson are the only two players that have finished higher in the voting last year and they are in the Hall. If Dawson can get by Barry Larkin and Roberto Alomar, who are in their first year of eligibility, he should be a lock for the Hall.

With having said all that…..What has taken so damn long?

Here are some of The Hawks career achievements:
8-time All-Star: 81, 82, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91
8-time Gold Glove winner: 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88
4-time Silver Slugger winner: 80, 81, 83, 87
1977 NL Rookie of the Year
1987 NL MVP

Not only does it baffle me that Dawson is not in the Hall, it also baffles Hall of Famer's Tony Gwynn and former teammate Ryne Sandberg. In a recent interview Sandberg had this to say about his former teammate. "I hope he makes the Hall of Fame so all the young players would have a chance to revisit his career, to see his highlights and to understand how he did things," Sandberg said. "They would understand how the game was supposed to be played by watching Hawk."

Gwynn may be more confused on why Dawson is not in the Hall. "For the life of me, I can't understand why he's not in the Hall of Fame," said Gwynn, a Hall of Fame outfielder. "In Montreal, he was as good as there was in our league -- he did it all -- then he went to Chicago [in 1987] and turned it up another notch. When he went to Chicago, he was as good as everyone thought. When he hit 49 home runs [in '87], he was the guy on that team. Sandberg is a Hall of Famer, but you'd rather pitch to him than Dawson. He was clearly the best player in our league that year."

On Wednesday, Dawson should be getting that phone call that he has been waiting for, and it will be about time!!!

Oklahoma State All Decade team

2010-01-01T23:22:00.006-06:00

I have compiled my Oklahoma State All Decade basketball team and it was interesting going back and forth with my point guard choice. Both were instrumental to their teams, but in different ways. Here we go starting line-up.

Guard John Lucas III

Guard James Anderson

Guard Tony Allen

Forward Ivan McFarlin

Forward Joey Graham

Graham is the player of the decade for the Cowboys. Byron Eaton was just edged out by Lucas and it can be argued, but with Anderson, Allen, McFarlin, and Graham it only makes sense to have Lucas running the show as a true point guard.

Oklahoma Sooners All Decade team

2010-01-01T22:40:00.005-06:00

I recently entered my two cents on who should be on the All Decade team for OU Basketball. Here is my team and how I rank them in order:

1. Blake Griffin 2. Hollis Price 3. Eduardo Najera

4. Aaron McGhee 5. Taj Gray

I went back and forth with Gray and Kevin Bookout. Bookout is a solid Okie and is a true Sooner through and through and those two categories can go a long way, but Gray makes this team more dangerous if they were to play other schools all decade team.

I truly wanted to Bookout on the first team, but Gray led OU in scoring, rebounding, and blocks in his two seasons.

Heisman Jinx?

2010-01-01T21:44:00.006-06:00

Landry Jones joined Nate Hybl, Rhett Bomar, and Josh Heupel in an unique list of Oklahoma Sooner quarterbacks under the guidance of head coach Bob Stoops.

Jones joins the group of OU quarterbacks who have won bowl games for Stoops. The bowl win list of quarterbacks does not include Heisman trophy winners Jason White and Sam Bradford.

Ironic because Jones, Hybl, and Bomar often drew criticism throughout their season, careers.

Hybl won two bowl games (2002 Cotton and 2003 Rose), Heupel won the BCS Championship game in 2000, and Jones set records in 2009 for the Sun Bowl and Oklahoma.

Mike Leach fired as Tech coach

2009-12-30T12:09:00.009-06:00

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.

Test

2009-12-26T17:36:00.004-06:00

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

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2009 was a year to remember for Guthrie

2009-12-23T12:07:00.005-06:00

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.

Stoops "no win" against Stanford

2009-12-21T10:18:00.005-06:00

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

Is Ford built for Ostate

2009-12-15T15:00:00.006-06:00

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

2009-12-15T12:54:00.004-06:00

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.

12 Jays earn 5A-2 All District honors

2009-12-14T12:36:00.006-06:00

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.

BlueJay Wrestling preparing for season

2009-12-09T10:58:00.007-06:00

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.

Bye Bye Guthrie

2009-12-08T14:20:00.004-06:00

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

2009-12-08T12:46:00.007-06:00

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

OU vs Stanford in the Sun Bowl

2009-12-07T10:51:00.004-06:00

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

2009-12-07T10:26:00.007-06:00

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

2009-12-07T10:00:00.004-06:00

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

Basketball season is officially here

2009-12-05T18:20:00.005-06:00

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.

Looking ahead to 2010 Guthrie Football

2009-11-30T12:35:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-30T10:44:00.008-06:00

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.

Guthrie News Leader shows true colors

2009-11-25T09:52:00.007-06:00

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

2009-11-25T09:45:00.003-06:00

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).

Guthrie v Bixby series

2009-11-24T12:47:00.002-06:00

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.

Chappell cousins are good and tough

2009-11-23T12:42:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-23T12:17:00.008-06:00

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

2009-11-23T12:00:00.007-06:00

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

2009-11-23T10:45:00.007-06:00

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.

Bixby rallies past Wolves into semis

2009-11-21T22:08:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-21T21:58:00.002-06:00

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

Final picks for 6A and 5A

2009-11-20T10:50:00.004-06:00

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.

Sports Museum now in OKC; it stinks

2009-11-19T15:31:00.013-06:00

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

2009-11-19T12:09:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-19T12:00:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-19T11:37:00.004-06:00

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.

DISMUKE & BROTHERS, NOT THE ONLY SHOW

2009-11-18T11:19:00.005-06:00

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.

Acker to play for Crimson Storm

2009-11-17T12:18:00.003-06:00

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.

Guthrie - East Central Series

2009-11-16T14:31:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-16T13:20:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-16T13:08:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-16T12:51:00.007-06:00

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

2009-11-16T12:42:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-16T12:34:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-16T12:10:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-16T11:48:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-16T11:25:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-16T10:38:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-16T09:51:00.004-06:00

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.

2009 Guthrie Football Results

2009-11-15T17:03:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-15T14:14:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-15T13:53:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-15T13:42:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-15T13:35:00.002-06:00

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

Inside the Quarters for the '09 Jays

2009-11-12T22:12:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-12T21:58:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-12T10:01:00.005-06:00

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.

Jones appeal denied

2009-11-11T14:37:00.004-06:00

To no surprise at all, Jones High School's hardship appeal case of Daxx Garman has been denied by the OSSAA. The ruling came after an executive session Wednesday.

Jones stood 7-2 overall and 6-0 in District 2A-2 and had clinched the district title, but now stand at 2-8 overall. The investigation began after an anonymous email was received by the OSSAA about the situation.

A subsequent investigation found Garman, who is in his first season at Jones after transferring from another school (Carl Albert), to be ineligible.

Jones had not filed for a hardship waiver on the player's behalf before the investigation into the player's eligibility.

I sure hope Jones does not take this any further and hold up the play-off's like we saw a few years back with the Shawnee situation, and that appears that it will not be the case.

The Garman family says they will be leaving Jones. Although, from what I read the family has one kid going to Choctaw, one kid going to Carl Albert, and the other was at Jones. Hmmm

Comments are Welcome

2009-11-11T12:09:00.003-06:00

Apologize for not being able to comment on the recent posts. Not sure how it was taken off, but they are back and we welcome your feedback.

Coaches rank basketball Jays 4th

2009-11-10T13:00:00.012-06:00

The coaches pre-season poll has been released and the back-to-back Class 5A Champions come in at No. 4.

The coaches poll is what determines play-off positioning for the play-off's.

Guthrie is coming off an impressive 27-2 record from a year ago that saw the Jays make their fourth consecutive trip to the state tourney and win their school's sixth state basketball title.

Guthrie must replace names like Donte' Foster and Keaton Callins among others in the line-up, but return six players who got quality time a season ago. Expect Kentrell Brothers, Devon Hall, and BJ McDonald to help lead the 09-10 Guthrie BlueJays.

Pre-Season Coaches Poll

1. T. Edison 2. T. Memorial 3. T. Washington 4. Guthrie 5. Carl Albert

6. Ardmore 7. T. E. Central 8. T. Kelley 9. Capitol Hill 10. El Reno

Guthrie - Duncan: Inside the Numbers

2009-11-10T09:36:00.006-06:00

A reminder you can listen to the game on 105.1 FM or online at GuthrieSportsPage.com this Friday night in Duncan. The Demons enter with an 8-2 record while the Jays travel with a 6-4 record.

Team Numbers

Duncan is the leading team in 5A when it comes to rushing the ball with 254 yards a game and ranks 5th overall in team offense in 5A. The Jays are the 5th best team passing the ball with 160 yards a game while Duncan ranks 13th passing in 5A.

Total offense Duncan ranks 5th with 341 yards of offense and the Jays enter the play-offs averaging 287 yards. Duncan is 9th in scoring with 25 points a contest and the Jays are ranked 6th with 27 points a game.

Moving to the defense, Duncan allows 84 yards on the ground and is 3rd best in 5A, but the Jays come in 2nd in stopping the run by allowing just 82 yards. Both are also similar against the pass. Duncan gives up 127 a game and Guthrie allows 115 which ranks them 11th and 10th respectively.

Overall, the Demons defense allows 211 yards a game (6th overall) and Guthrie allows 197 yards (4th overall). Duncan has given up an average of 15.9 points and Guthrie has allowed 13.7 points a game.

Quarterbacks

Duncan's Brandon Wilson (sophomore) 68-127 (53%) for 873 yards with 5 td's and 2 int's

Guthrie's Bryan Dutton (freshmen) 106-172 (61%) for 1601 yards with 11 td's and 7 int's. The 1601 passing yards is third best in 5A.

Wilson has 642 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown while Dutton has gathered 403 yards on the ground on 137 rushes with two scores.

Receivers

Duncan's Michael Rice, Tyler Gay, Bradley Wilson, and Devonte Harris have 41 combine catches for 564 yards and 5 touchdowns. Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers has 47 catches 861 yards and 11 touchdown receptions.

Tacklers

Duncan's Payton Atchley has 96 tackles (13th) and Dane Steil has 92 (16th in 5A)
Guthrie's Landry Chappell has 127 tackles (2nd in 5A) and Jaden Chappell has 103 (10th)

Sack Artist's

Kentrell Brothers has 11 and is tied for second in 5A
Devante Harris has 6 and is 10th in 5A

Final 6A Rankings

2009-11-09T20:52:00.005-06:00

Class 6A Final Rankings

1. Jenks - plenty of drama and now players motivated to play

2. Union - has a great shot in finals

3. Southmoore - the West best chance and Haywood in the Wildcat is very dangerous

4. Broken Arrow - tough road to finals with perhaps Midwest City and Union

5. Bartlesville - best season in a long time, but tough draw with Owasso, Southmoore, and Jenks on the same side of the bracket

6. Midwest City - has not been tested as of late and Bombers hope that does not affect them

7. Mustang - showed they can play with the best in the West, but Jenks awaits in round two

8. Lawton - two losses and a second place in the toughest district 6A-1 that no one predicted

9. Putnam North - Panthers have been playing the play-off's for three weeks already

10. Edmond Memorial - Kameron Doolittle at quarterback; nice move first year head coach

Final 5A Rankings

2009-11-09T20:33:00.007-06:00

5A Week 10 final rankings:

1. Tulsa Kelley - big wins make a nice resume, but trouble awaits in round two

2. Shawnee - first undefeated season since 1973 and last chance for at least two years

3. El Reno - third time in 50 years to go undefeated and a tough road to the championship game

4. Carl Albert - always dangerous come play-off time

5. T. East Central - no one is talking about them and are on the right side of the bracket to make finals

6. McAlester - perhaps a season away but watch-out Buffalo's may make noise in the second round this year

7. Duncan - two losses to Top 4 teams and a good win over Mac with the best run game in 5A (stats wise)

8. T. Central - best athlete on the field always goes to T. Central and always will have a chance at a win

9. L. Mac - tough go on the first round at Carl Albert with three losses to teams that are very good

10. Bixby/Guthrie - both have losses to good teams and hang their hat on their defense

Guthrie vs Duncan tidbits

2009-11-09T13:40:00.007-06:00

Here are some interesting tidbits as the Guthrie BlueJays travel to Duncan for the first round of the Oklahoma high school play-off's.

Watkins vs Hollaway

This will be the first time Rafe Watkins and the Jays have played a Duncan team since his arrival in 2001, but it is not the first time Coach Watkins has gone up against Duncan head coach Jim Hollaway. Hollaway and the Altus Bulldogs came to Jelsma Stadium, in 2001, and defeated the Jays 21-0 in a first round play-off game.

Watkins has always talked about Coach Hollaway being as one of the toughest coaches to coach against. Hollaway's Demons were projected not to make the play-off's, but have reeled off 8-wins in 10 weeks.

Guthrie will open up the 2010 season at Jelsma when they host Duncan.

First Round Success

Since 2001, Guthrie is 5-2 when playing in the first round and have won their last four first round games. The Jays have only been on the road one time, in the Watkins tenure, and dropped a 20-0 decision to Ardmore in 2003. Guthrie did not make the play-off's in 2004.

Duncan is back in the play-off after just missing out with a 5-5 injured prone 2008 season.

Common Opponent

Both the Jays and Demons have common opponents and both common opponents defeated them. Talking about Carl Albert and El Reno.

Carl Albert gave the Jays one of their most embarrassing losses in some time with a 40-14 home game. The Titans handled Duncan 26-7, in Duncan, back in Week 3.

El Reno snapped the Jays home winning streak by shutting out the Jays 18-0, in Jelsma, and just last week took down Duncan 14-7 in a highly contested game that saw the Demons have their chances in the fourth quarter.

Playing in Duncan

Duncan is 4-1 this season at home and Guthrie is 3-2 on the road.

Oregon Reinstates LeGarrette Blount

2009-11-09T13:33:00.006-06:00

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback.

The University of Oregon has reinstated suspended running back LeGarrette Blount 2 days after getting beat by previously unranked Stanford.

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly suspended Blount for the rest of the season after he punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout after Boise State beat Oregon in the season opener. Blount tirade continued as he tried to jump in the stands and tried to fight the Boise State fans.

Now Chip Kelly has changed his mind. How can the Pac 10 allow Blount to be reinstated? He has absolutely ZERO class for sucker punching Hout and even worse, he is trying to beat up the average 165 pound Boise State fans in the crowd!

The NCAA has done an absolutely terrible job this year in disciplining athletes. You mean to tell me it’s ok to punch someone after a game and be able to play again in that same year? It’s ok to try and gouge the eyes out of another player? But Dez Bryant gets suspended for the rest of the season for lying to a group of people about a rule that wasn’t even broken? Are you kidding me? What kind of example are we setting for kids out there? It’s ok to be a thug , but the good guy will never get to play college football again at OSU.

This is Kelly’s first season as Oregon head coach, and he needed to put his foot down and say this will not be tolerated at the University of Oregon. Instead, he is turning into another Urban Meyer and would rather win football games than doing the right thing! Kelly will lose respect because of the decision to bring back Blount.

Ronnie Phillips- www.twitter.com/chubbs23rp

2009 Duncan Football Schedule

2009-11-09T12:47:00.003-06:00

Duncan Demons
2009 5A Boys Football : (8-2)
Head Coach: Jim Holloway

9/4/2009 7:30 PM
Home Seminole (4A) #11 40-2W

9/11/2009 7:30 PM
Away Ardmore (5A) #10 26-7W

9/18/2009 7:30 PM
Home Carl Albert (5A) #2 6-38L

9/25/2009 7:30 PM
Away Chickasha (5A) ** #19 37-14W

10/2/2009 7:30 PM
Home Altus (5A) ** #14 14-13W

10/9/2009 7:30 PM
Away Deer Creek (5A) ** #13 13-10W

10/15/2009 7:30 PM
Home Macarthur (5A) ** #9 35-34W

10/23/2009 7:30 PM
Away Northwest Classen (5A) ** 41-13W

10/30/2009 7:30 PM
Home Western Heights (5A) ** 40-14W

11/6/2009 7:30 PM
Away El Reno (5A) ** #2 7-14L

** - Indicates District Game

Oklahoma HS Football Brackets

2009-11-08T14:23:00.005-06:00

Here are the Oklahoma High School Play-Off Brackets for each class for you to look at or print out.

Class 6A Class 5A

Class 4A Class 3A

Class 2A Class A

Class B Class C

Class C picks

2009-11-07T23:52:00.003-06:00

Shattuck in first, second, semi finals, and championship.

Class B picks

2009-11-07T23:41:00.003-06:00

Can the Garber Wolverines be taken down? Nope.

Last year B1 dominated by making the semi's and once again will dominate the state title game with Garber getting their second win over Canton this season.

Ryan makes the semi's as does Davenport.

First round wins go to: Garber, Gans, Davenport, Laverne, Ryan, Depew, Porter, and Canton.

Class A picks

2009-11-07T23:30:00.004-06:00

From Day 1 I have had the Tonkawa Bucs on top of Class A and while I am staying with that pick, Class A is going to be fun come weeks 13, 14, and 15.

Dangerous teams: Hennessey, Ringling, Watonga, Cashion, and Talihina

Big Upset Alert: Salinia vs Hominy - Hominy may sneak up and take down the district champions.

How about this in Week 13 on the top half of the bracket: Hennessey vs Talihina and Ringling vs Tonkawa. Great Nikes!

Pawnee may make some noise with a win over Afton and Stroud, but I like Cashion regardless who they play and make the semi's. Central Sallisaw and OK Bible appear to be a quarterfinal game.

Bottom half of the bracket is open, but will be up against a tall challenge in the state championship game.

Class 2A Picks

2009-11-07T23:16:00.004-06:00

Okay, is anyone with me when I say I would be shocked if someone on the top half of the Class 2A bracket does not win the state championship.

Heritage Hall, Davis, or Lincoln Christian are the top of the bracket teams. The bottom half will compete with Chandler, Millwood, Kingfisher, and Seq. Tahlequah.

Upset alert: Prague on the road at Stigler, John Marshall over Little Axe (not really an upset though in my humble opinion).

I dont see a repeat performance for the HH Chargers this season. My pick going into the play-offs is the Davis Wolves.

Heritage Hall vs Davis and Millwood vs Seq. Tahlequah in the semi's and Davis over Seq. Tahl. for the 2A title.

Class 3A picks

2009-11-07T23:02:00.003-06:00

Anytime you have Tuttle, Seq. Claremore, and Cascia Hall on one side of the bracket and on the other side you have Madill, Metro Christian, and Clinton then you have a great 4-week span coming up.

Tuttle, Cascia Hall, Madill, Berryhill, Metro Christian, and Clinton are the favorites and see having an easier time getting wins.

Seq. Claremore goes on the Roland and gets a victory over Roland.

A great first round game is Elgin going on the road to Purcell. Elgin is 8-2 and Purcell is 8-2. Purcell has the home field advantage, but I am going with the Owls to pull off the win.

My crystal ball has Madill in the finals against Tuttle. I know, going against Cascia Hall does not make any sense, but Tuttle-Madill final with the Tigers winning the 3A Gold Ball.

Class 4A picks

2009-11-07T22:50:00.004-06:00

Wow, did not see Glenpool going down to Star in the district game, but they may have woken the giant up. I picked the Warriors to win after they won it all last December and I am not changing my mind now.

How about Weatherford and their dream season? If they are going to go 14-0 they will earn it with possible match-ups with Broken Bow and Glenpool before the title game.

Weatherford, Broken Bow, Glenpool, Star Spencer, Sallisaw, and Bishop McGuinness rock and roll in the first round of a very top heavy Class 4A.

Jay vs Wagoner could be interesting, but got to go with Jay as well as Oologah over Poteau.

It appears the West have the top teams to win it all, and perhaps the only chance for the East is with Broken Bow, or Sallisaw. How about a possible McGuinnes-Sallisaw match-up and a Weatherford-Broken Bow meeting?

Class 5A picks

2009-11-07T22:21:00.005-06:00

This may be the best class to watch as there are some great match-ups in the first round and then it only gets better from there on out. As we get started, my pick to win the gold ball are the Carl Albert Titans. I believe Tre Porter will have more touches and JT Realmuto is a winner at no matter what he does.

McAlester, Bishop Kelley, Carl Albert, Shawnee, and East Central should have easy wins to kick start their play-off run.

El Reno, who are coming off a state semi-final run a season ago, will get a win over Ardmore, but this game may be closer then what people may think. Again, El Reno gets the win.

The one minor upset of happening could be Tulsa Central going to Bixby. Anytime you have the highest recruited player in the state, you have a chance. The Bixby offense sputtered last week against Booker T., but their defense will give them the best shot at winning and I think they do get the win.

Bixby did a good enough job against Eric Bennett and the Hornets to win, but could not get any offensive help.

The most even match-up game in 5A will be Duncan and Guthrie. Both teams have lost to El Reno and Carl Albert this season. It will be a great showdown between the running game of Duncan and the Guthrie defensive front seven.

Can Duncan control Kentrell Brothers? Can Guthrie contain the line of scrimmage and be able to run against the much bigger Duncan front line. Jays have struggled this year when they have not been able to run the ball.

In the end, it comes down to defense and I want to say the Jays may have the advantage in that aspect. However, Duncan can control the game with their running game.

I will stay away from a pick on this game, but invite you to listen to the broadcast on GuthrieSportsPage.com.

Class 6A Upset Alerts

2009-11-07T21:25:00.005-06:00

I am not sure I can call this an upset, but I see Bartlesville traveling to Owasso and picking up a hard fought win. The Bruins have beaten everyone in front of them except two of the three elite teams in the East and the offense has put up numbers all season long. Owasso's best chance is running the ball right at the Bruins, who have struggled in stopping the run this season.

After starting the season 1-2, Midwest City has reeled off seven straight convincing wins in a district that was down in 6A-2, but Putnam North will be a quality opponent for the Bombers. Putnam North's best win was in Week 5 with a win over Southmoore, but since then are 3-2. Perhaps, the most intriguing opening game in 6A, but will go with Midwest City in this one.

Lawton needs to be on upset alert as well with the Edmond North Huskies coming to town. North's left handed quarterback, Tyler Townsend, is a week healthier. 6A-1 was the district this year in the state, but Edmond North has the best shot at taking down a 6A-1 team. Lawton fans are wanting a team to go deep this year and this Lawton has the best chance of making the most noise.

Mustang should be okay after the setback to Southmoore. Edmond Memorial did a great job of moving Kameron Doolittle to the quarterback spot, but to many weapons on the offensive side for the Broncos and sets up a Jenks-Mustang game in Tulsa.

Southmoore, Jenks, Broken Arrow, and Tulsa Union are expected and will have convincing first round wins.

Congrats to Yukon for making the play-offs for the first time since 1998.

Class C play-off games

2009-11-07T01:46:00.001-06:00

Thackerville at Shattuck
DC-Lamont at Midway

Claremore Chr at Timberlake
Boise City at Tipton

Waynoka at Temple
Sasakwa at Seiling

Covington-Douglas at Maud
Victory Life at Forgan

Class B play-off games

2009-11-07T01:44:00.001-06:00

Allen at Garber
Kiefer at Gans

Copan at Davenport
Laverne at Caddo

Pond Creek-Hunter at Ryan
Oaks at Depew

Weleetka at Porter
Alex at Canton

Class A play-off games

2009-11-07T01:41:00.002-06:00

Luther at Hennessey
Healdton at Carnegie

Wynnewood at Talihina
Woodland at Commerce

Mangum at Ringling
Okeene at Watonga

Foyil at Tonkawa
Gore at Stratford

Savanna at Stroud
Afton at Pawnee

Texhoma at Cashion
Hollis at Velma-Alma

Hominy at Salina
Wayne at Central Sallisaw

Maysville at Cordell
Oklahoma Chr. at Oklahoma Bible

Class 2A play-off games

2009-11-07T01:39:00.002-06:00

Meeker at Heritage Hall
Sulphur at Lindsay

Morris at Valliant
Pawhuska at Vian

Hobart at Davis
John Marshall at Little Axe

Adair at Lincoln Christian
Hartshorne at Beggs

Spiro at Chandler
Colcord at Verdigris

Newkirk at Millwood
Washington at Plainview

Sperry at Seq. Tahlequah
Prague at Stigler

Atoka at Bridge Creek
Lexington at Kingfisher

Class 3A play-off games

2009-11-07T01:37:00.002-06:00

Bethany at Tuttle
Seq. Claremore at Roland

Okmulgee at Cascia Hall
Elgin at Purcell

Blanchard at Madill
Checotah at Berryhill

Dewey at Metro Christian
Pauls Valley at Clinton

Class 4A first round play-off games

2009-11-07T01:35:00.002-06:00

Seminole at Weatherford
Catoosa at Broken Bow

Wagoner at Jay
Douglass at Glenpool

Elk City at Star Spencer
Poteau at Oologah

Collinsville at Sallisaw
Tecumseh at McGuinness

Class 5A Play-offs

2009-11-07T00:25:00.003-06:00

El Reno vs Ardmore
McAlester vs T. Hale

T. Kelley vs Ada
Carl Albert vs Lawton Mac

Shawnee vs Altus
Bixby vs T. Central

T. East Central vs Pryor
Duncan vs Guthrie

*Home team is listed first

Class 6A Play-offs set

2009-11-07T00:21:00.003-06:00

Southmoore vs Lawton Eisenhower
Owasso vs Bartlesville

Jenks vs Yukon
Edmond Memorial vs Mustang

Midwest City vs Putnam North
Broken Arrow vs Enid

Union vs Claremore
Lawton vs Edmond North

*Home team is listed first

Durant's Daryn Alves ruled ineligible

2009-11-06T17:31:00.003-06:00

Durant's move-in quarterback Daryn Alves has been ruled ineligible and the Durant Lions must forfeit their wins from the 2009 season.

Ardmore will be the No. 4 team from 5A-2 to advance to the play-offs.

Twitter Phenomenon

2009-11-06T13:26:00.003-06:00

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback on the topic.

Twitter, in the last year or so, has exploded onto the scene. Twitter is a main feature on nearly everything on TV and the Internet. Shows like SportsNation on ESPN, make it a point to have “tweets” from everyday people like you and me, on their show.

Many pro athletes like Kevin Durant, Chuck Liddell, Chad OchoCinco, Larry Fitzgerald, and the most followed athlete on Twitter Shaq with 2,507,227 followers! And he is getting more every day. Even the president of the United States has his own Twitter page!

Which comes to my next question. Why are people so interested in what the pro athlete and movies stars are doing at any single moment? After being on Twitter for awhile now, the pro athletes do the same things as we do. Like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Jeff Green from the OKC Thunder, went to the movies to watch Saw VI and in a tweet by James Harden he said “How crazy is this?..we are at the movies and we are the only people in here watching saw!!!!!...this I crazy!!!..I'm scared lol.

I must say, I’m on Twitter all the time just to see what these types of guys are doing! It is nice to see what your favorite athlete is doing at any time of the day. Many of the athletes I follow, will give you trivia questions and if you are right and one of the first people to respond to the Tweet, they will send you signed autograph pictures and even tickets to a game. Larry Fitzgerald and Jason Terry of the Mavericks seem to do this on a regular basis!

With the Twitter phenomenon at full force and only going to get bigger, are you a “Tweeter”? If you’re not, you should definitely give it a try, you’ll never know who you might come across!

I can be found at www.twitter.com/chubbs23rp.

Donte' Foster scores 14 in loss

2009-11-06T10:17:00.003-06:00

Guthrie grad Donte' Foster poured in 14-points in a losing cause for Seminole State as the Trojans were defeated 70-67 to Cowley County, Thursday night, in Seminole.

Cowley outscored Seminole 40-26 in the second half to pull out the road win.

Seminole State is now 1-1 and Foster is averaging 14.5 points per game.