Guthrie Bluejays under way with fall camp

The 2015 fall practices are under way for the Guthrie Bluejays.

The Jays took the practice field at 7 a.m. and enjoyed the unusual cool weather, including a few rain drops, with temperatures hovering in the mid 80’s.

The Jays will be in helmet and shorts for the first four days before donning the pads on Friday.

Familiar faces returned to the GHS practice field as Chad Sanders and Michael Harmon take on their new roles as Jays assistant coaches. Sanders, who helped the Jays first ever state championship in 2002, will over-look the offensive line. Harmon, was a part of the Jays 2007 state title, takes over as the secondary coach.

The Bluejays are coming off a 10-2 season and will look toward senior quarterback Zane Maltz for both production and leadership this season. As a junior, Maltz completed near 63 percent of his passes.

Maltz will be protected by an offensive line that returns experience, including senior Michael Pruitt and junior Justin Dutton.

Guthrie prides themselves on defense year in and year out and that philosophy will not change in 2015 under head coach Kelly Beeby, who has guided the Jays defenses for the past 11 seasons.

The Jays will be strong up the middle and on the end with the likes of Christian Blassingame, Jaron Pryor and Rowdy Reihs.

Guthrie will practice for two weeks until they scrimmage Bishop Kelley and Douglass at Langston University on Aug. 21. Their final scrimmage will be in El Reno on the 27th. The Jays open the regular season on the road in Duncan on Sept. 4.