Game Preview: Guthrie vs Sand Springs

The Guthrie Bluejays are back on the road Friday night when they travel to Sand Springs for their tallest task of the three non-district games and some may say on the entire schedule.

The Bluejays will enter Sand Springs with a 1-1 record and the Sandites at a perfect 2-0 with two lopsided victories over Tulsa Hale and Enid.

The game can be heard on Triple Play Sports Radio 105.1 FM., streamed world-wide on both Guthrie Sports Page and Guthrie News Page websites along with the Tunein radio app.

Sand Springs returns a total of 14 starters, including nine on defense, from a team that defeated Midwest City in the first round of the playoffs and before losing to eventual 6A Division II state champion Bixby.

“That is the strength of our football team right now,” head coach Dustin Kinnard said on Wednesday evening.

Headlining their defense is senior linebacker Jacob Taber, along with Cole Dixon and Delvin Jordan. The trio helped stopped six opponents in 2014 from scoring 14 or more points.

So far through two games that number may be on the increase in 2015.

The Sandites have allowed a total of 15 points while adding up 94 points on the scoreboard.

Entering the game, Guthrie is averaging 27.5 points and 340 yards per game. The Jays offense has proved to be balance thus far with an average of 171 on the ground and 169 through the air.

The Sand Springs offense returns five starters, including one offensive lineman, for the spread formation that will operate out of multiple sets and rely heavy on their run game.

Senior tailback Lane Lettich returns for his senior campaign and shares the running duties with sophomore Payton Scott.

The receiving core returns for the Sandites with Ty Fain, Trace Fleischman and Kasey Bales. All three have big play ability.

The Friday night game marks the home opener for Sand Springs. In fact, the Sandites will play their first three of four games on the road.

Perhaps, the best game in the 2014 season for Guthrie, the Jays escaped with a 23-20 homecoming win in the first game of the series. Related story: Guthrie proves to be royal in Homecoming win over Sand Springs