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Guthrie and El Reno play for State

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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?

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

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2009 was a year to remember for Guthrie

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

Here are my top memories in 2009 involving Guthrie High School athletics:

1. Passing of Jared Pearce
2. Boys Basketball State Championship
3. Track and Field State Championship
4. Cross Country State Championship
5. Donte' Foster's senior year

6. Donte' Foster's ESPN Shot
7. Kentrell Brothers first BlueJay to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season
8. Keaton Callins senior year
9. Clay Tarter and Gary Boxley and their success with the running programs
10. All the student athlete's that sign letters of intent to play college athletics

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

Stoops "no win" against Stanford

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is Ford built for Ostate

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

I really like the clause about another school having to pay OSU in 30 days of hiring him because I believe Travis Ford will not be at Ostate for a long period of time. Maybe 4-6 years and if so that will be a good thing because Ford has won a lot of games some big games for the Cowboy program. If Ostate can keep him longer then the 4-6 years then kudos to them.

I really like the way Travis gets after it and the style of basketball he brings, although, I think he can slow down a touch on his temper and the way he handles officials, and I think he will as he learns the ropes on this high level.

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

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

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

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

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

Eyes of Texas are tearing up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Jays earn 5A-2 All District honors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BlueJay Wrestling preparing for season

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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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

Bye Bye Guthrie

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

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

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

No mention of Guthrie.

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

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

Was the state seal not enough?

A look at the Norman North Winter Classic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OU vs Stanford in the Sun Bowl

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

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

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

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

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

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

OSU vs Mississippi in Cotton Bowl

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009 Heisman ballot

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basketball season is officially here

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking ahead to 2010 Guthrie Football

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009 season in review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guthrie News Leader shows true colors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donte Foster helps lead to rout

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

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

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

Guthrie v Bixby series

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

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

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

Here are the previous three results:

2005 at Bixby
Guthrie 14
Bixby 28

2006 at Bixby
Guthrie 31
Bixby 15

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

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

Chappell cousins are good and tough

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

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

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

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

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

Brothers passes 1000 yards

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

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

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

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

Guthrie-Bixby: By The Numbers

Passing
Guthrie 120
Bixby 175

Rushing
Guthrie 159
Bixby 163

Total Offense
Guthrie 279
Bixby 339

Total Points
Guthrie 26 average
Bixby 27 average

Passing Allowed
Guthrie 95
Bixby 127

Rushing Allowed
Guthrie 107
Bixby 87

Offense Allowed
Guthrie 203
Bixby 214

Points Allowed
Guthrie 14
Bixby 14

Dutton moving up GHS passing ladder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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