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By: Chris Evans
Both teams have been here before, both teams have won here before, and both teams have failed her before. However, the Guthrie - Tulsa East Central winner moves on to play for the state championship next week.
The Bluejays (12-0) won their first and only state title in 2002 and East Central (12-0) won their lone title in 2005. Guthrie and East Central last played in 2002 when Guthrie traveled to East Central High School and won, 27-13, in a quarterfinal game.
East Central has played in the state semi-final game for the past five seasons. Head Coach Travis Hill, now in his tenth season at East Central, and the Cardinals have compiled a 57-8 record over the course of the past five seasons. Four of those eight loses came in the 2004 season.
Hill has phenomenal athletes on both sides of the ball particularly on the offensive side. Perhaps the most noticeable talent is senior running back Kenny Sessions (5’10” 195lb).
Sessions, a top rusher a season ago, has piled over a thousand yards again this season despite a high ankle sprain that he has endured all season long. Sessions says he is 100% healthy going into Friday’s night contest with the ‘Jays.
Due to the nagging injury to Sessions, the Cardinals have countered with junior running Reno Conchitias (5’9” 165lb) who has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as well.
Guthrie has seen talent at the tailback position with Carl Albert junior David Oku. Oku, also playing injured for majority of the season, held in check by the Bluejay defense. Oku had a touchdown reception on a wheel route.
East Central quarterback Brooklyn Fox (6’4” 215lb) brings a run-pass threat that Guthrie will see for the first time this year. Although Robert Kizer of Carl Albert possesses the same type of threat, Fox is a step above Kizer with athletic ability and cannon of an arm. Fox has passed for 1,380 yards to go along with 19 passing scores and four interceptions. Fox also has 12 rushing scores on the season.
Fox’s biggest threat is one of Oklahoma’s most talented basketball stand-outs in Sydney Hadnott (6’4” 170lb). Hadnott has been compared to Guthrie wide receiver Kent McDonald with height comparisons. However, Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins has said all season that Kent has tremendous hands and can block down field as good as anyone. Hadnott would have a speed advantage over the two great talents.
The Cardinal offensive line averages out around 235 pounds and six feet tall.
As many weapons the Cardinals have on offense, the Bluejays have the same amount. It all begins with senior Kye Staley, the future Oklahoma State Cowboy, has been moved all around the field to give Guthrie numerous of looks.
Staley has 300 yards plus in receiving, 1100 yards plus rushing, and 500 yards passing to go along with numerous scores in all three areas. Not to mention Staley’s ability on kick-off returns.
Junior running back Clayton Smith has been a force to bring down all year with his passion and strength in running with the ball. Smith with over a 1,000 all purpose yards has 25 rushing scores. Smith, as Staley does, has the ability to take a kick-off to the house on any given opportunity and has done so twice in three weeks.
Guthrie receivers are very talented and have been an instrumental part in the Bluejay rushing game, but when it comes down to catching passes they past the test as well.
Junior wide-out and basketball stand-out Donte’ Foster has 10 touchdowns in 2007 to go along with 400 plus yards. As of late, it has been McDonald taking charge in big receptions for the ‘Jays.
After a slow start to the season, McDonald has come on strong with 9 scores and almost 500 yards receiving.
Seniors Israel Escoe and J Hensley have not been called upon for many catches, but add to the position with their down field blocking.
This entire story up to this part has setup what many believe will be the difference that will lead the winner to the state championship game: Defense!
Guthrie has allowed 72 points on the season, but 34 of those came last week in a 61-34 quarterfinal win over Shawnee. The Wolves success of throwing the ball against the Guthrie defense leads some to believe that East Central may abandon the run a little more and take their chances with the passing game. In which, goes away from what they have done for majority of the season by rushing the ball around 70% of the time.
Suppose that could be true, but some would have a hard time thinking there is a more complete passer and receiving core then Tucker Brown, Tajhler Phillips, and Brett Davis on the ‘Jays schedule.
East Central is the number two offense and defense in 5A behind Guthrie in both categories. In the Cardinal’s two wins in the play-offs they have allowed a total of 15 points to Durant and Duncan.
The Guthrie/East Central winner moves on to play the winner of Bixby/Lawton Mac next week for the Gold Ball.
Tulsa East Central in the past five seasons.
2007 12-0 2004 9-4
2006 12-1 2003 11-2
2005 13-1
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