GUTHRIE — When Guthrie's do-everything junior, Kai Callins, went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Bluejays' season-opening win over Duncan, the team had plenty of holes to fill.
Callins played a crucial and versatile role in the offense, seeing time both wide and in the backfield; he was the Bluejays' lockdown corner; he returned punts and kicks.
There's little doubt Callins has been missed.
But the way the players who have filled each of those holes left by his injury have played has Guthrie thinking of back-to-back championships.
The No. 1 Bluejays are 7-0 headed into Thursday's home game against 5A No. 3 and also undefeated Deer Creek.
“There have been so many who have taken on those roles, and they've done an excellent job,” Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said.
J.T. McFadden has become the Bluejays' top rushing threat outside of quarterback Bryan Dutton, and also has been a weapon in the passing game.
Donovan Jordan, already expected to see his role increase significantly, has been solid as a receiver.
Both also have been dangerous in the return game on special teams.
They also shifted around in the secondary to make room for perhaps the most surprising fill-in — sophomore Kelyn Hinds.
When Callins went down, McFadden moved to corner and Hinds slipped in to take over at safety.
“It's just his hustle and the way he plays,” Callins said. “He's fast and he's going 110 percent at every play.
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