Jays preparing for the Ponca passing game

In last week’s 36-0 win over Duncan, the Guthrie BlueJays watched quarterback Brandon Silva throw the football a total of 15 times in the game. Come this Friday they may see 15 passes on the first 15 plays to start the game.

The Jays travel to Ponca City to take on the Wildcats, who dropped their season opener last week with a 42-37 loss to fellow Class 6A Sapulpa.

In the Sapulpa loss, quarterback Brent Wilson completed 27 of his 47 passes for 396 yards to go with three touchdown tosses. However, the six-foot 176 pound senior added 103 rushing yards on 16 carries and a score.

It is no secret for Ponca City, as Wilson goes so does the Wildcats. In 2010, Wilson tossed over 1,900 yards by completing 171 passes on 291 attempts.

Wilson’s primary target last week in the spread offense was senior Garrett Parr. The 5’10 wide receiver brought in 211 yards on eight catches with one of those going for a score.

Fellow wide receivers Ross Catlin (5’11, 178) and Tyler Wilson (6’7, 250) do not have blazing speed, but run precise routes and Brent Wilson does the rest with his accuracy. This season Tyler Wilson, no relation to Brent Wilson, moves from tight end to receiver.

Guthrie prides themselves on defense and did a good job last season against Ponca by adding continuous pressure on Wilson. The Jays will look for another repeat performance in Ponca City from sophomore defensive lineman Trevor Blassingame. In the win over Duncan, Blassingame collected two of the four BlueJay sacks. Richard Brothers and Donovan Jordan each a sack.

For the Jays secondary, it appears this may be their tallest challenge with Wilson and the passing game. Other opponents on the Jays schedule are bringing in the passing concept, but Wilson brings game experience and has spent this summer at numerous passing camps.

The Guthrie offense rushed for almost 300 yards in the win over Duncan behind running backs Luke Davis, Kai Callins and J.T. McFadden. The Jays will look to continue that momentum this week against a defense that has shown a hard to have keeping opponents out of the end zone.

Working against the Ponca’s 3-4 defense in 2010, the Jays rushed for 276 yards while passing for 151 yards.

The Wildcats have had to replace their top tackler this season and must depend on multiple players to play both ways. The strength appears to the Wildcat secondary with Catlin and Derrick Ewing.

The game can be heard on Triple Play Sports 105.1 in North Central Oklahoma and world-wide on Guthrie Sports Page Radio. The pregame show begins at 7:00.