Harper runs Guthrie to victory in Lawton

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Guthrie football team was sluggish to start their third straight Thursday night game but eventually came around for another convincing win.

The Bluejays (8-1) scored 23 points in the second quarter and walked away with a 51-6 win over Lawton Eisenhower (4-5) in Cameron Stadium.

Since 2014, Guthrie is 5-4 the following week after playing their rival Carl Albert, including five straight wins.

Senior Jaylen Harper ran for 163 yards on 20 carries and finished with three scores. He continues his 2023 streak by rushing over 100 yards in each game this season. The running back now has 1,230 rushing yards with 24 total scores, including 22 rushing.

Harper’s first touchdown run of four yards came on the second offensive drive that took eight plays covering 85 yards. He added his second touchdown in the second quarter with a 32-yard run to push the Jays up 14-0.

On the next possession, quarterback Hayden Calvert hit halfback Blake Doles for a 26-yard pass down to the 11-yard line. Calvert, on the next play, scored on an 11-yard run to go up 21-0.

Next, it was the defense’s turn to score.

With Ike at their own one-yard line, the defensive line, led by senior Nik Herendeedn forced a fumble which went into the back of the endzone for a safety.

The Eagles were forced to kick following the safety and the Jays returned the ball down to the Eagles 15-yard line. On first down, Calvert delivered a perfect ball to junior tight end Eli Plagg for a 15-yard touchdown.

In the second half, Guthrie got touchdown runs by Harper, Calvert, and Dae’lonte Glover.

The Jays’ defense continued their physical play by holding the Eagles to only 142 yards of offense, including only 27 yards on the ground.

In nine games, Guthrie has held their opponents to a total of 147 rushing yards (16.33 yards per game).

It appeared the defense was going to hold their seventh opponent without a score, but a questionable call went in favor of the Eagles on a reception in the endzone. The football was jarred loose by defensive back Nate Benford but was ruled a catch and a touchdown.

Guthrie, who is 5-0 in road games, finishes the regular season with Senior Night and the Shawnee Wolves on Friday night.

With the win in Lawton and McGuinness defeating Piedmont, the Jays have secured a home playoff game against either Midwest City, Lawton MacArthur, or El Reno.