The Guthrie Blue Jays started out slow last season, and then got hot and remained that way making it to the third round of the state playoffs. The season got better as its freshman quarterback Bryan Dutton got better.

This season, Dutton (now a sophomore) will have a year of experience and a good second half of the season to build off of to help lead the Blue Jays back to the top of 5A. Guthrie is one of the favorites in its class, right where the traditional power belongs.

Dutton finished last season throwing 26 touchdowns and will have plenty of talent around him including Kentrell Brothers, who head coach Rafe Watkins is one of the best players in the state. Also, Dutton will have a bonafide wide out in Devonte McCully who has the size and skills to be a big asset.

Guthrie will need to get more production from the running game, but look for Dutton to help that with his ability to scramble and make yards on broken plays.

The front seven for the defense will be stout as ever and the Blue Jays will have the ability to shut down the running game of its opponents. However, there are questions in the secondary, so the defensive backfield must stay solid to make the stopping of the run game as effective as it can be.