High school football: Guthrie players step up to fill in for Kai Callins

Hinds wasn't sure what to think when Callins went down.

“Oh, what are we going to do,” Hinds remembers thinking.

“I was nervous,” Hinds said. “I knew what I was supposed to do, but you never know until you get the chance.”

Hinds has taken advantage by leading the Bluejays in tackles with 61 so far.

Guthrie has allowed seven or fewer points in five of its seven games. The Bluejays have been equally potent on offense, topping 40 points five times.

“Kai is the coldest running back I've ever seen,” McFadden said. “The biggest motivation for me has just been trying to live up to that as much as I can. I don't have the footwork he does, but our offense is getting better and better.”

Jordan took the injury as an opportunity.

“I just said, ‘Coach, I'm here and I'm ready for the challenge,' ” Jordan said. “I felt like I was a leader on this team before, but felt like I needed to be more of one when that happened.”

All say Deer Creek will be the team's toughest challenge yet.

“It's going to be a big-time defensive game,” Jordan said. “They run a lot of the same stuff we do. We're really looking forward to it.”