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By: Chris Evans
Senior quarterback Keaton Callins not only represented himself as a top Oklahoma quarterback, but gave the community of Guthrie something to be proud of.
Callins was selected as one of the top Oklahoma quarterbacks to compete in the U.S. Army Quarterback Challenge in front of a capacity crowd, Saturday evening, at Edmond Memorial High School practice field including many Guthrie fans, coaches, and family.
The Quarterback Challenge, created by Jason Allen and Gus Malzahn in 2004, is designed to be the ultimate showcase for elite quarterbacks outside of playing on a Friday Night. At the Challenge, each quarterback is instructed, tested and evaluated on six separately scored events that combine to recognize the Champion of the Top Gun Challenge.
Cale Fulps, of Broken Arrow, came away as the winner of the Challenge with Enid's Clint Chelf's coming in second and Dax Dilbeck, of Deer Creek, finishing third.
Callins did not qualify for the final round, and was dealing with a minor injury that he had suffered the day before, but understood how special of an opportunity he had to showcase his talents.
"I did alright, but I could have done better. I am just thankful to be out here and thank God for blessing me with ability and I thank the Allen's (event coordinators) for invited me to this," Callins said after the challenge while surrounded by family.
BlueJay head coach Rafe Watikins was one of many, from Guthrie, to make the trip across the county line to watch Callins, who helped propel Guthrie to their second state championship, last December.
"He did not get in the finals, but there is no doubt I would not trade him for anyone out here. He has nothing to be ashamed of and did a great job over here. I am very pleased with Keaton and I knew he would do really well," Watkins said.
Callins and the other quarterbacks went through drills and were tested and evaluated on the day before the challenge. Callins scored an 89 on his mental test with Dilbeck scoring the highest with a 98.
"He posted some good times on his vertical and broad jump and was one of his fastest 40's he has run. This was good experience for him with good competition," Watkins said of his signal caller, who passed for nearly 1,200 yards as a junior.
In the station accuracy portion of the Challenge, Callins scored a 45 and was good for a fourth overall place, but something seemed backwards?
While the footballs were finding their targets there was no physical proof. Callins threw three of the five footballs with the blue powder facing him instead of the target (see photo's for proof). Therefore, not leaving the blue mark on the target and good friend, teammate, and fellow senior Donte' Foster was quick to point that out.
"That is just Keaton. He is kinda off in the head," a joking Foster said. A more serious Foster wished his buddy could have made it a step further in the Challenge.
"If he would of had that deep throw he would have gone farther. Everyone knows he has great accuracy," Foster said.
Callins said Ryan Stringer (Clinton), Turner Peterson (Cascia Hall), and Cayden Cochran (Cashion) grab his attention on their skills over the two days that the elite quarterbacks were together.
"It was fun and all the guy's out there were good competitors. It was a good turn out, and it was fun to have all my friends out here," Callins concluded.
Notes:
* In between challenge's, fans had their chance to show off their talents with a trash can challenge. Fans attempted to throw a football into a trash can, from the stands, onto the practice field. In the line at midfield, a total of three people made the throw, from 35 feet away, of an estimated 50 contestants and two of the makes came from Guthrie residents. Donte' Foster and Tracy Hayes won a free appetizer from Applebee's for their passing skills. BlueJay running back Clayton Smith just missed out by skimming the top of the can.
* Former offensive coordinator and current head coach at Prague High School, Chuck Atchison, was in attendance and stood with Guthrie coaches Rafe Watkins, Scott Mick, and Kelly Beeby. Atchison was part of the Guthrie coaching staff when the Jays won their first ever state championship in 2002. Atchison's Red Devil quarterback, Dakota Harris, participated in the Challenge. Prague returns 14 starters, who played in the state semi-final game before losing to eventual 2A champion Cascia Hall.
* Ty Prestidge, former Guthrie coach (1997-2000) was on hand to watch his Mustang Bronco quarterback Kyle Webster.
* First year head coach of the Deer Creek Antler's Grant Gower, who was watching his quarterback Dax Dilbeck put on a clinic, voted the Guthrie BlueJays as his No. 1 team to start the upcoming season. Perhaps, a big rival between the Jays and Antlers, but first class coaches on each sideline for both teams.
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