Deer Creek snatches district title and win streak from Jays, 26-21

The Guthrie BlueJays goal of back-to-back undefeated regular seasons fell short to borderline rival Deer Creek as the Antlers scored late in the fourth quarter to upend the top-ranked Jays.

The BlueJays (9-1) took their lone lead of the game, 21-20, midway through the fourth quarter, but Deer Creek quarterback Clayton Sims spotted wide-out Zach Kerstetter in the middle of the field for the game’s winning score.

The 26-21 win clinched the district title and home field advantage in the play-offs for the Antlers (7-3), who improve to 7-3 and winners of seven straight.

For Guthrie, the loss snaps a school record of 23 straight wins and six straight wins against Deer Creek.

The BlueJays will now play Altus in the first round of the playoffs next Friday inside Jelsma Stadium. The Guthrie-Altus winner will likely travel to Skiatook for a second round match-up.

Despite three interceptions and a fumble, Deer Creek kept the plan of selling out to stop the Jays running game on defense and continued to air out the ball with their passing game.

Sims, a move-in from Jones, completed 24 of his 43 passes for 329 yards and three passing scores, including the 48-yard game winner with 70 seconds left on the clock.

The BlueJays, who for the first time trailed by two scores (20-7) all season, rallied with two fourth quarter scores to take a 21-20 lead with 6:12 to play following a 39-yard touchdown run from Idae Alexander.

On the following drive, Deer Creek stalled out at Guthrie’s 32-yard line and later missed a 49-yard field goal with just under four minutes left in the game. However, Deer Creek forced the BlueJays to a 3-and-out on the next possession to set up Deer Creek’s four play winning drive.

The BlueJays had one final chance with 1:10 left in the game, but could not overcome a 15-yard penalty and eventually fell short two-yards of a first down.

Penalties, again, played a factor for Guthrie as they were hit with 16 accepted penalties for 135 yards.

On offense, the BlueJays were led by Alexander’s 176 rushing yards and L’liott Curry’s 117 receiving yards.

Deer Creek receivers Kerstetter and Noah McGraw, whom both went over 1,000 yards receiving this season, combined to haul in 306 yards with nine catches each.

Play-off Bracket set for Class 5A

The bracket is set for Class 5A and will showcase five teams with 9-1 records, including Ardmore, Skiatook, Guthrie, McAlester and Lawton MacArthur.

All first round games will be played on Friday evening.

Ardmore (9-1) vs McGuinness (6-4)
Coweta (5-5) vs Shawnee (7-3)

Skiatook (9-1) vs Tahlequah (5-5)
Guthrie (9-1) vs Altus (8-2)

Deer Creek (7-3) vs Del City (5-5)
McAlester (9-1) vs T. Edison (6-4)

Collinsville (7-2) vs T. Memorial (7-3)
Lawton Mac (9-1) vs Carl Albert (7-3)