Callins scores four times in win over Ponca City

By: Chuck Chaney
Special to Guthrie Sports Page

After only handling the ball seven times in a 46-6 win over Duncan last week, Kai Callins was much bigger part of the offense tonight. Callins crossed into the end zone four times as the Guthrie BlueJays routed the inexperienced Ponca City Wildcats 62-13.

Callins was ready for this one from the start. It was a big start too. He had the F&M Bank Statement of the Game with a 67-yard kickoff return to set up the BlueJays first possession. He capped it off by knocking a 4-yard burst, giving the BlueJays the early 7-0 lead with 9:10 left in the quarter. All four of his touchdowns came in the first half. Listen to his post game interview.

Callins finished with 113 yards on 18 carries, with four touchdowns. He also had one reception for 16 yards. Callins was exceptional on special teams. He had the 67 yard kick off return. Later in the game, he had a 28-yard punt return. Callins finished with 227 all-purpose yards.

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The Blue Jays (2-0) had a fantastic defensive game plan for the second consecutive week. They limited the Wildcats to 185 yards of total yards. A lot of that was on the passing game. The BlueJay defense limited the Ponca City rush attack for (-7) yards rushing.  The rushing total was even worse before the fourth quarter. It wasn’t for a 22-yard run, and a 16-yard by Ponca City reserves.

With the BlueJays up 14-0, Guthrie took over on the Ponca City 31-yard line. That’s when senior quarterback, Reed Roberts toss a 31-yard floater to Donovan Jordan for the touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown for Guthrie that was on two plays or less. That’s not counting the two defensive touchdowns for the defense.

Jordan was once again spectacular receiving. He’s become a real security blanket for Roberts. Jordan finished with five catches for 114 yards and one touchdown.

After the Ponca City Wildcats found the endzone off a 75-yard touchdown pass to Raylon Gaines to cut the BlueJay deficit to 21-6 with 1:21 left in the first quarter.

As the BlueJays did against Duncan last week. Guthrie responded with a seven plays, 61-yard drive to respond to the Ponca City score when Callins dove into the endzone one the one-yard run. Minutes later, Callins broke into the endzone on a 12-yard scamper. 21 seconds later, Callins again found the pay dirt on a seven-yard play. The lead ballooned from 21-6 at the beginning of the quarter to 42-6 at halftime.

The Wildcats (0-2), struggled offensively through the game. They turned the ball over three times, including two interceptions. Two of the turnovers led to points for Guthrie, and helping making the game really lopsided. Ponca City ran 59 plays, finishing with just 185 yards, just about three yards per play.

With Guthrie up big in the second half, the Ponca City defense held for most of the third quarter, until Roberts found the end zone on a one-yard dive with 2:25 left in the third quarter. That gave the BlueJays a 49-6 lead. It was the longest drive of the season for the BlueJays, lasting four minutes, 26 seconds.

Scoring never stopped for the BlueJays, despite the first string out. Guthrie would find a way to capitalize on two Ponca City turnovers. L’liott Curry found a loose ball in the end zone. It was the first defensive touchdown of the season for Guthrie. It wasn’t the last.

Guthrie’s Beau Davis intercepted the very next offensive play of Ponca City and went 65-yards the other way for the touchdown. Guthrie’s defense ended up tying Ponca City in scoring 13-13.

Guthrie travels to Enid on Friday night to take on the Plainsmen at 7 pm. If you’re not traveling to watch your BlueJays, you can listen to Chris Evans and Casey Porter bring the game to you live on Triple Play Sports on 105.1 on your radio dial.