By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Guthrie's Staley Stillwater-bound
Happy birthday, Mr. Staley.
On the day of his 17th birthday, Guthrie's Kye Staley put an end to his recruitment by verbally committing to Oklahoma State. Staley chose the resurgent Cowboys over offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and Arkansas.
As a junior, Staley was electrifying for the Bluejays. Playing quarterback, Staley rushed for 1,450 yards and 21 touchdowns. Through the air, Staley was equally as impressive, throwing for 1,008 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions.
Staley, at 6-foot even and 200 pounds, could play a number of positions in Stillwater. Staley is talented enough to feature at running back, wide receiver, or in the defensive backfield for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys.
Staley leads the Bluejays into the 2007 season as one of the favorites to unseat district-rival Carl Albert for the Class 5A state title.
Last season after struggling somewhat through non-district play including a loss to Class 4A Deer Creek, Guthrie rolled through district play with the only blemish being a heartbreaking loss to Carl Albert, 26-21. In the other six district 5A-2 games, the Bluejays allowed just six points to Harrah. All five other victories were shutouts with Guthrie scoring at least 42 points.
Along with Staley, Guthrie returns athletic wide receiver Kent McDonald, an all-state potential in defensive back Israel Escoe, and junior linebacker Josh King.
Oklahoma Division I Commitments Thus Far
Player- Position- High School- Committed To
Joey Fowler- DE- Westmoore- Texas Tech
K.J. Williams- ATH- Norman North- Texas A&M
Harrison Jeffers- RB- Lawton Eisenhower- Texas Tech
Trent Wilkins- DB- Duncan- Tulsa
Bobby Smith- RB- Putnam City- Tulsa
Cooper Bassett- TE- Tuttle- Kansas State
Matt Holland- OL- Holland Hall- SMU
Tress Way- K- Tulsa Union- Oklahoma
Kenyad Blair makes way to OKC from Canton
Last January, Kenny Blair was promoted from receivers coach to head coach at Northeast Academy in the Oklahoma City Public Schools system. In naming Blair the head coach, Northeast picked up a highly-regarded transfer in his son Kenyad, who comes to the Vikings from Canton (Ohio) McKinley.
Before his stint as an assistant with Northeast, Blair had been the head coach of Northwest Classen, also in the OKC Public School system. While there, Blair had to endure a lot of challenges including three straight one-win seasons. At one point, the former NFL player was let go due to budget problems before being rehired just a week before the 2003 season.
As a junior at McKinley, Kenyad Blair caught six touchdown passes on 27 receptions for 300 yards, leading the Bulldogs in all categories.
Blair joins Northeast running back George Thomas as two of the top players in District 4A-1, which includes defending champion Bishop McGuinness. Last season, Northeast finished 5-5 just missing out on the playoffs. Thomas rushed for 661 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net