Jays working through summer pride program

The defending Class 5A football state champions continue to work through their summer schedule, including the start of Tuesday’s team camp at the high school practice field.

The Guthrie BlueJays collected their fourth state championship a season ago with an unbeaten 14-0 mark. With that, the Jays will have a bullseye each week when they enter stadiums, but that has been the case for several years now.

The Jays are currently in the process of working several athletes in different positions trying to find that right mix or two that will give them the best chance on Friday nights.

On offense, Guthrie will rely on receiver L’liott Curry and feature running back Idae Alexander. Both play-makers played key roles a season ago and will be looked upon to continue those strides in the 2014 season.

The offensive line will need some re-tooling with four starters lost to graduation, but the projected line does pass the eye test and offensive coordinator Scott Mick year in and year out finds to get the most out of the big uglies.

Naturally, the quarterback position is the most talked position for all programs and the Jays will be looking to fill that void. Coaches continue to look at three candidates and likely will wait until after the summer to name a starting quarterback.

The backbone of the program has been the physical defense and that motto will not change with head coach Kelly Beeby.

Beeby, who was named the head coach this past winter, will continue the same mind approach he has taken with the program since arriving in 2004 – play fast, play physical.

The secondary and defensive line will see new faces, but the same expectations will be there.

Beeby will find experience to help the newcomers with Curry, Beau Davis, Grant Towler, Rowdy Reihs, Kelyn Hinds and Jalyn Morgan.

While the defense and offense will be closely watched as to how the pieces will fall, the program will need to replace a kicker and punter. Both were true weapons in the championship season. More times than often, teams started at their own 20-yard line following a BlueJay score in 2013.

Guthrie will continue team camp through Thursday, along with the summer pride work-outs and passing league competition with Kingfisher, until fall practice opens up on Monday, August 11.