Guthrie head football coach Rafe Watkins said the lost to Enid back in Week 3 helped his team and coaching staff take a step back and see how they approached things.
Photo By: Jarrett George
Both the offense and defense has helped the Jays to win five straight games since then, including a win over then No. 7 Deer Creek and then No. 3 Carl Albert. The offense has been sufficient by averaging 31-points in the winning streak, but the defense has taken things to a whole new level.
The BlueJay defense continues to be ranked near the top in the state in all categories as they have in the last several seasons, and in the last few weeks they have been darn near perfect.
In the five game winning streak, the defense has allowed just three scoring drives with two of those coming to Carl Albert. In total, the Jays are allowing 5-points a game in district play with Western Heights and Southeast remaining, who are a combined 2-8 in district play.
In the five district wins, the defense has allowed 97-yards of total offense.
The Titans gained 67-yards rushing and Deer Creek managed only 63 rushing yards against the defense. Both teams entered the game averaging 240 and 248-yards rushing respectively. In the Ada, Noble, and El Reno games combined, all three teams managed just 38-yards on the ground.
The result – the best rushing defense in the state regardless of class.
The defense is allowing 47 rushing yards a game in the eight games combined this season and easily ranks No. 1 in Class 5A. Duncan is second with allowing 118 per game.
The passing defense is excelling as well by holding opponents to just 98-yards throwing a game. When you add up the rushing and passing yards, Guthrie ranks as the best in 5A and second in the state behind Douglass.
A big part of the defense is junior linebacker Landry Chappell and his 115 tackles which ranks him first in 5A and seventh in the state. Not to far behind is Luke Davis, Marcus Ware, and John Clark, who all have 71 tackles and are in the top five in 5A.
Kentrell Brothers continues to lead 5A and the state with 14 sacks and younger brother, Richard Brothers, has eight. Freshman Kai Callins has four interceptions and is tied for first in 5A.
Felix Scott has 62 tackles despite playing on the defensive line. Trevor Blassingame and Donavan Jordan have been early surprises despite their young age.
The defense will have two more weeks to prepare for the playoffs before they will be counted on to help pursue a state title.
| Rushing Allowed |
Passing Allowed |
Total Yards Allowed |
Points Allowed |
|
| 2007 Guthrie Defense (14 Games) | 50 | 76 | 126 | 6 |
| 2010 Guthrie Defense (8 Games) | 47 | 98 | 145 | 8.8 |
Do not forget the D line that is closng holes and making those sacks possible. Jr. Zack Brown has developed into a very special noseguard. Usually either double or triple teamed he has still managed sacks and interuppted the backfield. The tackles are also doing an impressive job of closing down the middle.