Guthrie Blue Jays OK 2025 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2025 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the Guthrie Blue Jays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Guthrie Blue Jays&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #4 In Class 5A</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Kelly Beeby - 12th Season - 86-40 Record At Guthrie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (10-4 Record - Class 5A Runner Ups)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Lost To Tuttle 31-24<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Duncan 54-12<br>Sept. 20th - Lost To Blanchard 33-24<br>Sept. 27th - Beat John Marshall 44-8<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Noble 41-14<br>Oct. 11th - Beat El Reno 49-0<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Western Heights 72-0<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Altus 56-34<br>Nov. 1st - Lost To Carl Albert 29-0<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Lawton 35-6<br>1st Round - Beat Lawton MacArthur 43-21<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Booker T Washington 29-20<br>Semifinals - Beat Newcastle 35-30<br>Championship - Lost To Carl Albert 30-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 36.6 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 19.1 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First things first when we're talking about Guthrie's 2024 football season. We got this one completely wrong. We thought the Blue Jays could take a step back in 2024 and that obviously wasn't the case. Guthrie was still ranked in the preseason rankings but was outside the top five after being a top five team for all of 2023. Guthrie would have a rocky start, losing to 4A contenders Blanchard and Tuttle in the non-district slate to start 1-2. From there, they would rattle off five straight wins, setting up a showdown in week nine against the measuring stick in Class 5A, Carl Albert. The Blue Jays would fall 29-0 but bounced back the following week with a win over Lawton, securing the 2-seed going into the playoffs. Guthrie would beat Lawton MacArthur with ease in the first round before a rare trip to Tulsa to face Booker T Washington in the quarterfinals. They would prevail 29-20 and would follow that up with a semifinal victory over Newcastle. Just like that, a team that we thought might take a step back was making plans for Edmond and going after what would be their fifth state championship. A Carl Albert-shaped roadblock awaited them in that championship game. Guthrie had to settle for the silver ball but all in all, we can't say enough about what the 2024 Blue Jays accomplished. They would finish 10-4, winning double digit games for the third time in four years. And as we start to look ahead to the 2025 football season, we certainly aren't going to be underestimating the Blue Jays again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Jays head into the 2025 football season looking to build off their run to the state championship game a year ago. Guthrie expects to contend once again this season and they'll bring back the majority of their starters. And the thing that we like about the Blue Jays is they have a great blend of experienced players and talented new faces. Offensively, the Blue Jays will bring back six starters, headlined by a 1,000 yard rusher at running back and a quarterback who finished the season with a lot of momentum, running this offense in his first season. Defensively, the Blue Jays will also bring back six starters on that side of the ball. This was a unit that was absolutely dominant in 2023 and they would come back to earth in 2024. This season, we won't be surprised if they end up taking a positive step forward, towards what we saw from that defensive unit two years ago. Now, similar to last season, the Blue Jays are going to test themselves against a very tough non-district schedule, featuring two Class 4A programs that will be expecting to contend for the state championship in that class. That should prepare the Blue Jays for going on another run in the district. While Carl Albert has been the measuring stick in this class for a few years now, they will have a lot of new faces in 2025. We've said it a few times this month but Class 5A feels more wide open than it's been in the last three years. That could open up the door for Guthrie to not only make another run to Edmond, but an opportunity to win their first gold ball since 2013.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake Doles - Fullback/Linebacker (Signed With Simpson College)<br>Eli Plagg - Tight End/Defensive End (All State Honorable Mention)<br>Kolten Carlock - Athlete (Signed With East Central - All State 3rd Team Selection)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706915"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686fc4feeec28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An offense can only be as good as the guys up front on the line of scrimmage. Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1706915' first='Cooper' last='Walters'] returns for his third season as a starter on the Guthrie offensive line. He's going to be one of the more experienced players on the team and he can help set the tone for an offensive unit that looks to take a step forward in 2025. The Blue Jays have learned that they can rely on Walters on the interior of the offensive line. And when you're talking about a player that has as much experience as Walters and has been as successful, that should be beneficial to the rest of the offensive line, specifically those new faces that are stepping into starting roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706912"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686fc4feeec90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1706912' first='Daelon' last='Rice'] returns for his second season under center and his first season as the full time starter. In 2024, Rice would split time with Carlock in the backfield and both brought different things to the Guthrie offense. In 2025, Rice will be the main guy running things and we're looking forward to seeing what he does with the opportunity. He played very well in the playoffs, specifically in the semifinal win over Newcastle. Rice will immediately pass the eye test when he steps on the field. And last season, he gave the Blue Jays a legitimate dual-threat option with the passing and running games. We believe Rice's production will get a major boost in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706918"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686fc4feeecdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The running back position was a question mark going into the 2024 season after the graduation of Jaylen Harper. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1706918' first='Elijah' last='Smith'] would step up and enjoy a breakout junior season in 2024. Smith would finish the year with well over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns. He was definitely one of the breakout players on that Guthrie offense and he could be primed for an even bigger 2025 season. With the Blue Jays losing Carlock to graduation, that's going to open the door for more carries for Smith in 2025. In addition to Rice at the quarterback position, Smith could be another player that sees a serious improvement with his production on the field this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913667"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686fc4feeed26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every summer, when we do these team previews, there are usually a handful of players that we start to buy stock on for the upcoming season. For Guthrie, that player is junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='913667' first='Kade' last='Barton'] and the ceiling feels like it's getting higher and higher. Last season, Barton mostly played as a hybrid edge defender, finishing the year with nearly 90 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Barton stands about 6'5-6'6 and is incredibly explosive. It would be interesting to see how he would look on the offensive side of the ball at tight end. But no matter where Barton is lining up this fall, he has the potential to absolutely cause chaos for the opposition. He could be Guthrie's top prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1699033"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686fc4feeed6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Guthrie senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1699033' first='Kellen' last='Hirzel'] has the potential to be one of the top defenders in Class 5A this season. Hirzel put up monster numbers as a junior and he will be leading a Guthrie defense this fall. Last season, Hirzel would rack up over 200 tackles from his linebacker position. He also added 18 tackles for loss and ten sacks. Hirzel was also a magnet for the football as he caused multiple fumbles throughout the 2024 season. Guthrie has always had a solid reputation of hard hitting linebackers and defenders in general. Hirzel could be the next guy in that group. If last season was any indication, this could be a very busy fall for the Guthrie senior linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1828326' first='Dereon' last='Whitehorn'] - 2027 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Elijah Payne - 2029 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1343775' first='Ethan' last='Gilbert'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Gabe Jackson - 2029 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1661169' first='Gamble' last='Smith'] - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>Jace Rainwater - 2026 Wide Receiver<br>Quorrie Carlock - 2027 Defensive Lineman<br>Skylar Scamman - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 28th - AT Tuttle</strong><br>- For the second straight year, the regular season will open up with a showdown against 4A powerhouse Tuttle. The Blue Jays are looking to get a win after last season's 31-24 setback in the final seconds of the game. This match-up features the state runner up in Classes 5A and 4A.<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Duncan</strong><br>- After a week off, Guthrie will open up their home schedule in week two, against Duncan. This has been a series that has been very beneficial for the Blue Jays. They beat the Demons 55-12 last season and have won six straight in the series. And the last five haven't been relatively close.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 19th - Blanchard</strong><br>- Non-district play will wrap up in week three with a home game against Blanchard. The Lions beat the Blue Jays 33-24 last season but this year's Blanchard team could look fairly different. They'll have a new head coach for the first time in a long time and they lost a lot of their key pieces to graduation.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - John Marshall</strong><br>- District play will open up in week four at home, against John Marshall. These two teams weren't really familiar with one another before squaring off last year. Guthrie won last season's meeting 41-8 but you have to go all the way back to 2007 to find the last time these two met.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - AT Noble</strong><br>- Guthrie will go back on the road for a week five clash with Noble. The Bears were a new district opponent for the Blue Jays last season. Guthrie rolled to a 41-14 victory. Before that, they had only met one other time in the last decade, with Guthrie winning 40-0 in the 2021 first round.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - El Reno</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season will kick off at home, against El Reno. The Indians became a new district foe for Guthrie in 2024. The Blue Jays won 49-0 in their first meeting with El Reno in over a decade. These two teams used to play every year but didn't from 2014-2023.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - AT Western Heights</strong><br>- In week seven, Guthrie will hit the road for another district clash with Western Heights. The Blue Jays have absolutely dominated the Jets and show no signs of slowing down. Guthrie won 72-0 last season and we could end up seeing something similar to that in 2025.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Altus</strong><br>- The Blue Jays will host Altus in week eight and we can only hope to see as many fireworks in this year's meeting as we saw last year. 90 combined points were scored in the 2024 meeting. And that would end up being the highest scoring game that Guthrie played in during the 2024 season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Carl Albert</strong><br>- It's the game of the year on the schedule at this point. On a Halloween night, Guthrie will travel to Carl Albert for a rematch of last year's state championship game. The Blue Jays will also be desperate to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Titans. A win here could give Guthrie the district title.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Lawton</strong><br>- With Lawton dropping down to Class 5A, that meant the Blue Jays would meet the Wolverines for the first time in recent memory. Guthrie rolled to a 35-6 victory last season. This year, they'll have to go on the road to face the Wolverines and this game comes in the final week of the regular season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Jays finally broke through one barrier that had been holding them back over the last several years. Prior to the 2024 season, Guthrie had lost in the quarterfinal round in five consecutive playoff appearances. And during that stretch, they were routinely the 2-seed out of their district and ran up against a district champion in the quarterfinal round. However, the Blue Jays finally broke down that barrier with a quarterfinal win over Booker T Washington and they weren't done there. The Blue Jays would beat Newcastle in the semifinals, punching their ticket to the state championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2013. And ironically, that championship season in 2013 was the last time the Blue Jays made it out of the quarterfinal round before their run in 2024. The district will be tough again and all eyes will be on that Halloween match-up with Carl Albert but the Blue Jays took a very positive step in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - 10-4 - Class 5A Runner Ups<br>2023 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2020 - 6-3 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>4 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2013 - Beat McAlester 51-21<br>2011 - Beat Lawton MacArthur 24-7<br>2007 - Beat Bixby 16-3<br>2002 - Beat Booker T Washington 16-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->