All three phases of the game played a pivotal role for the Guthrie Bluejays in capturing their first win of the season. With the win, the Jays extend their streak to 35 consecutive victories inside Jelsma Stadium.
On the third play of the game, quarterback Zane Maltz found a streaking, wide-open Chance Whitt down the Ponca City sideline for an early score and the Jays were on their way to a 28-19 win over the Wildcats.
Along with the home win streak, Guthrie has won all six week two meetings with the Wildcats dating back to 2010.
Guthrie (1-1) never trailed in the game, but the Jays could not secure the win until the final three minutes of the contest.
Whitt, who did not play last week, hauled in the 57-yard catch to give the home team a 7-0 lead.
However, Ponca City would have an answer on their opening drive.
The Wildcats covered 69 yards on 12 plays and got into the end zone with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Conner Larson to Keller Elwood. The drive was benefited with five Guthrie penalties.
Guthrie finished with 17 penalties for 120 yards.
The Bluejays regained the lead less than six minutes later with a 1-yard run from senior Rowdy Reihs to go up 14-7.
Again, Ponca City responded.
This time the Wildcats traveled 85 yards and needed eight plays to do so as Larson scored from a yard out. The extra-point was missed to pull the Wildcats within one, 14-13.
Ponca City appeared to be stalling to take time off the first half clock and go into halftime locker room down a point, but a stubborn, blitzing Bluejay defense forced a fumble at the Wildcat five-yard line to setup the Jays next score.
Maltz, who finished with a game high 175 yards rushing, scored on the first play and instead of a 1-point lead the Jays went into the half with a 21-13 advantage.
After holding the Wildcats on their first possession of the third quarter, Guthrie was forced to punt and on the punt the football hit a Ponca City blocker and Austin Flury recovered the live ball just outside of the Ponca City goal line.
Two plays later, Reihs was back in the end zone and the Jays had a two possession lead, 28-13.
The Wildcats scored the game’s final score with a 3-yard run from Dexter Arita.
Guthrie travels to Sand Springs to conclude non-district play next Friday. A season ago the Jays defeated the Sandites 23-20.
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