Ponca City entertains Guthrie for home opener in week two

Over the past several seasons, the Guthrie and Ponca City football programs have gone in different directions. The BlueJays have collected two state titles in the past three years while the Wildcats have managed just four wins in the same time frame. Despite a season opening loss in the final seconds, the Wildcats are staying positive in 2014.

The two teams will meet up for the fifth straight season when the Jays and Wildcats open up the ‘Cats home opener in Sullins Stadium for a 7 p.m. kick. The game can be heard on Triple Play Sports Radio 105.1 FM and world-wide at Guthrie Sports Page and Guthrie News Page.

Guthrie enters the game with a week one blow-out of Duncan, 47-6, and Ponca City failed short to Enid, 14-13, with the final score coming with just 22 seconds left in the game.

The ‘Cats were able to use their running game to keep the Enid defense on their heels and appears will have the same game plan Friday evening against an inexperienced front line of the Jays.

Ponca City, who returns 10 starters on offense, piled up 222 yards on 46 rushes and were led by quarterback Conner Larson. The junior muscled 176 yards on 30 carries. The only other Wildcat to gather at least 10 carries was Dexter Arita and finished with 34 yards.

However, the ‘Cats passing game proved to be ineffective all night long against Enid. Of the 16 pass attempts only two were completed for a total of 26 yards.

Wes O’Neil is one of the primary targets for Larson. He hauled in nearly 200 yards a season on just 9 catches. Logan Champlin is another factor after leading the team with 325 receiving yards and a touchdown.

On defense, the Wildcats allowed over 300 yards of offense to Enid. Leading the way for the defense will be Top 100 player in linebacker Adam Nicholas. He is expected to again lead the team in tackles after 92 stops a season ago.

Ponca will look to add pressure on the ends from Jordan Kimbrell and Alex Steger. The two combined for 59 tackles in 2013.

Jays dominating week two series

Guthrie has won all four meetings, including two games at Sullins Stadium, since the two programs scheduled each other in week two back in 2010. Ponca has scored a combined 27 points in the four games while the Jays have averaged nearly 46 points per game.

Ponca is currently 7-44 dating back to the 2009 season.

Wildcats picked last in division; coach has higher goals

Publications have picked Ponca City to finish last in the new 6A Division II class, including in their district. A season ago, Ponca failed to not only get in the win column, but lost each game by at least 24 points.

After Guthrie, the ‘Cats finish the non-district with a trip to top-ranked Shawnee. After that, they will take on Booker T. Washington, Muskogee, Bixby and Sand Springs. All four teams are projected to make the 6A playoffs.

Despite the touch schedule, head coach Josh Allen said, “We have a lot of returning players who played 6A varsity football last season. We are shooting for the playoffs this year.”

By the numbers ….

Ponca City has a high school enrollment of 1,447 compared to Guthrie’s 970.

No major changes to the AP’s Class 5A rankings this week. Shawnee remains on top followed by McAlester and Guthrie. Carl Albert and Lawton Mac round out the top five.

Ardmore moves in the top 10 at No. 9 and so does McGuinness (No. 10) despite a loss after playing Shawnee to the final few minutes of their game in week one.