Guthrie dethroned from the ranks of unbeatens

It was bound to happen one day and that day came to a screeching halt for the top-ranked Guthrie football team Friday night.

The BlueJays were shut-out, 32-0, to third-ranked Bishop McGuinness inside Pribil Stadium in Oklahoma City. It’s just the third time a Rafe Watkins BlueJay led team failed to score (El Reno 2009 and Altus 2001). The lopsided score is also the biggest point margin in defeat for a Watkins team in his 12 seasons.

Watkins Post Game Radio Interview

The Irish connected on numerous big plays throughout the game to stay unbeaten at 9-0. Meanwhile, the Jays school records of 22 straight wins and 21 district game streaks come to an end. Guthrie falls to 8-1.

The Guthrie offense had a tough go all night with 41 offensive plays adding up to just a total of 119 yards, including 34 rushing yards, and four turnovers. The Jays managed just three first downs compared to the Irish’s 17.

McGuinness put five touchdowns on the scoreboard from 25, 83, 41, 4 and 3-yards out. The first three touchdowns were result of the Irish going on 80 plus yard drives, including a half-back pass just before halftime to give the home team a 20-0 halftime advantage.

Leading 26-0 after the third quarter, McGuinness kept their foot on the pedal with a deep pass inside the Jays five yard to set up their final score midway through the fourth quarter.

Guthrie concludes the regular season next week with a trip to Taft Stadium, where they take on Northwest Classen, and at the same time will keep an ear out for a score between McGuinness and Deer Creek who play next week on the Irish Senior Night.

With the loss, Guthrie can finish as high as second and as low as third in the district.

A Guthrie and McGuinness win in the regular season finale would give the Irish the district championship and the BlueJays the runner-up along with a home playoff game. A Guthrie win and a Deer Creek win would leave all three teams left in a three-way tie. The tie breaker will be decided by the point system and would leave Guthrie as the third place finisher and on the road for the first game of the playoffs.

Lawton MacArthur and Duncan appear to be one of the opponents for the BlueJays in two weeks. The questions will be: will the game be inside The Rock or on the road?