District 5A-2 football notebook: Guthrie to honor former teammate

By Zach West

Published: August 17, 2008

Shawnee and Durant will join the fray after finishing second and fourth, respectively, in 5A-3. Guthrie won the state title last year, and perennial power Carl Albert has been picked by coaches as the district favorite. And don't forget Noble. The Bears return 18 starters from a squad that finished third in district.

"It's going to be really exciting and challenging, which is a lot better than what it was last year,” Carl Albert head coach Gary Rose said. "We'd rather play good people every week … it's a lot more intense, and it goes quicker. When the kids get excited about the opponent, practices are really good then.”

•Guthrie to honor Nichols: Guthrie players will wear a black No. 72 sticker on the back of their helmets this season in honor of former teammate Ty Nichols. The 16-year-old died unexpectedly in late June due to an enlarged heart.

Nichols was a member of Guthrie's Class 5A state championship football team last season, starting six games at defensive tackle and playing in every contest.

Nichols' father, Phil, will present the game ball in Week 1 against Bishop McGuinness. Ty's jersey, No. 72, will not be worn by a Guthrie player this year, although it will not be permanently retired.

"Whenever a player wears those jerseys again, it will be an honor or a privilege,” Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said.

And for the first time in two years, a Guthrie player will wear the No. 9 jersey worn by former Bluejay Kale Powell, who died in 2006 at age of 18 after a 10-month battle with cancer.

"I took the kid who is wearing it and told him, ‘It's a special number representing a special kid,'” Watkins said.

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