It’s not quite football season, but that is not stopping top elite programs like Guthrie and Kingfisher from working out as both teams met Saturday morning for 7-on-7 drills at the Guthrie High School practice field.
Jacob Chappell breaks up a pass during the Guthrie-Kingfisher passing league.
The Jays and Jackets went through a 90-minute work-out with both the varsity and freshmen getting reps on both offense and defense. A season ago, Guthrie played in the Class 5A state semi-finals while Kingfisher lost in the 2A state championship game. Both head coaches Rafe Watkins and Jeff Myers are good friends and alums of Northwestern State in Alva.
“For the very first time out where we thought we were going to be strong, we were strong and where we thought we were inexperience, we were experience,” defensive coordintor Kelly Beeby said.
The Kingfisher offense started the morning working against the Guthrie defense that saw some familiar and comforting players such as Landry Chappell, Luke Davis, and Kentrell Brothers. Among others seeing some their first quality time with the varsity were incoming freshmen Kai Callins, Jacob Chappell, and Donathan Jordan along with sophomore’s Vincent Norris and J.T. McFadden.
“At times in the secondary we had a hard time of communicating, but were able to confiscate that with athleticism,” Beeby said. “The one thing I would like to see a little bit more of is effort and I think some of that is conditioning and that will come,”
Players look on as Bryan Dutton finds his target down field.
John Clark, who once again this season will be valuable to the defense with his ability to play multiple positions, was vocal in helping moving players to the right positions. Davis and Marcus Ware, who both bring experience as well, helped with the secondary.
When the Jays moved to offense it was Bryan Dutton, Cody Reihs, and Reed Roberts at the quarterback spot. Dutton coming off a stellar freshmen year has devoted this summer to working out and preparing for the upcoming season. Roberts the starting 8th grade quarterback last season is showing promise and looks the part.
The wide receiver corps will be inexperience heading into the season, but have plenty of athlete’s to plug-in and perhaps could be very good-by the end of the year. Obviously, the group is led by senior-to-be Brothers, who piled up 62-catches for 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Devonte McCully will be a big target again this season with his 6’6 size. Richard Brothers and Tim Zupo present good size as well. Clark and Hunter Gates will help aid the “skinny linemen” as wide receivers coach Ric Meshew calls them because of their responsiblity of blocking down field.
Despite the offensive line not getting any reps on the field, it did not exclude them from learning. The group worked with offensive coordinator Scott Mick inside the Guthrie field house with pencil and paper.
The Guthrie passing league will continue next Saturday and starting in July will participate in the Edmond Santa Fe passing league.
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