Although the records are identical and the Guthrie BlueJays are ranked a notch higher, the Carl Albert Titans will be the favorites Friday night when these two rivals meet up for a district title game.
Head coaches Rafe Watkins and Gary Rose are good friends off the field, but Friday night they are trying to give their team a district championship.
The game is being broadcasted on television on Cox Communications Channel 3 as well as world-wide on the Guthrie radio broadcast on either 105.1 FM, or streaming at Guthrie Sports Page. Both pregame’s start at 7:00.
The Jays are trying to erase last year’s 40-14 thumping by the Titans and really was not that close with CA’s halftime lead of 33-0. The loss was the third worse defeat Guthrie has had since 2001. The Titans from that point went on to win their 10th state championship last December.
Both Guthrie and Carl Albert enter with 5-1 records and are a perfect 3-0 in 5A-1.
The Titans have won the last two meetings and the last three of four match-ups. The Jays will try to use their experience this season like the Titans did a season ago with stand-outs J.T. Realmuto and Tre Porter.
Guthrie’s duo of Bryan Dutton and Kentrell Brothers is tops when it comes Class 5A and the state in hooking up. Brothers leads 5A in catches (28), yards (660), and touchdowns (9). Dutton needs just 268 more yards to become Guthrie’s all time passer, but if the passing game expects success it will come against a stout CA secondary.
The Titans have been known for a great secondary, especially over the last few seasons, and the same is true this season. Headlining the crew is junior corner back Alex Poston and his four interceptions, that leads 5A. The other corner is commanded by senior Dwight Dobbins.
The secondary as a whole are allowing only 72 passing yards a game, however this will be their biggest passing challenge to try to contain. The rushing defense is just as good with defensive backs Kevin Jones and Justin Love. Defensive end Darren Colquitt is quick off the edge with his team leading four sacks.
CA is allowing just 8-points a contest which is best in 5A and not only that, but lead 5A in scoring with 44 points per game despite losing their starting quarterback, Dillain Dansby, in week three.
However, junior Taylor Hawkins has taken over at the quarterback spot and has shined in the last three weeks by completing 78% of his passes. He is already 8th in 5A in passing yards (532) with six passing scores and no interceptions. His main target is Dobbins, who has brought in 16-catches for 284-yards.
Hawkins is not only dangerous in the passing game, but the running game as well with running backs Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight. The Titans like to stack the line of scrimmage and come after you, although they shown more signs in spreading it out.
Whittington is third in 5A with 705 rushing yards on 98-carries with eight scores. Knight also has eight scores despite his 5’1, 142 pound frame. The scatback can be hard to find and is dangerously quick.
The Guthrie defense is allowing just 9-points a game and have allowed just one touchdown in the last three games with Deer Creek, Ada, and Noble. Guthrie is among the best in the state at stopping the run by allowing just 51 per game.
The defense is highlighted by junior linebacker Landry Chappell and Brothers. However, the Jays have gotten great play from Luke Davis, Richard Brothers, John Clark, Felix Scott, and Marcus Ware.
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