GUTHRIE BLUEJAYS
Coach: KELLY BEEBY
10-2
OFFENSE
Graduation is something that every team must deal with. Some more than others. For coach Kelly Beeby and the Guthrie Bluejays, graduation has taken several starters off the board and replaced them with solid players who lack experience. Coach Beeby is confident his guys will be ready. “A lot of new players will fill the lineup; they will have to grow up in a hurry. Offensive line will be the strong suit of our team early in the season as we gain experience,” said Beeby. Six starters make their return to the offensive huddle including Blake Doles (6-0, 205, Sr.) who is a work horse and will set up the play action passing game. Doles is a hard runner who can also block for guys like Zane Thomas (5-9, 175, Jr.). Thomas is a tailback with excellent speed and vision. Jace Rainwater (6-0, 175, Jr.) joins Axtell at wide out where he usually has a height advantage against smaller DBs. Cooper Walters (5-10, 265, Jr.) has the task of being the leader up front. Walters will get some help from Eli Plagg (6-3, 215, Sr.) at tight end. Plagg could have a big season in the power spread offense. Semaja Morgan played every position on the OL the last three seasons and is willing to do whatever the team needs to be successful. The X-factor is Kolton Carlock. Expect to see Carlock in various positions making plays for the Bluejays this season.
DEFENSE
No surprise to see Axtell at corner on defense. Known as a lock-down corner, Axtell recorded 50-plus tackles and three INTs last season. The 5-2 Okie the Bluejays will employ is designed to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. That job falls to the three guys on the defensive line. Chase Todd (6-3, 235, Jr.), Malek Myers (6-0, 198, Sr.), and Alfred Officer (6-1, 225, Sr.) must get a good push at the point of attack and force teams to run away from the middle. That’s when guys like Kellen Hirzel (6-2, 220, Jr.) should clean up. The strong side linebacker made 100-plus tackles last season and is one of the top LBs in the class. Outside linebacker Zecheriah Robinson (6-2, 190, So.) is long, fast, and athletic in traffic. Robinson is a three-sport athlete and will likely see time on offense as a tight end or wide out. Dereon Whitehorn (5-11, 170, So.) joins Axtell in the secondary giving the Bluejays two guys who are solid cover corners. Whitehorn could shift to safety this season. Also look for Malachi Hardiman (6-3, 285, So.) up front. Hardiman should see time on both lines thanks to his athleticism as a big man and his high football IQ. Another player to watch is Jacob Owen. Owen is a quiet leader always working to make his team and teammates better. The coaching staff consists of Tyler Young, Jason Rice, Chad Sanders, Eric Woodard, Chase Plagens, Brayden Stone, and Farold Smith.
