After a slow start and a 7-0 deficit, the Guthrie BlueJays dominated the Class 5A state semifinal game with Collinsville by scoring the game’s next 45 points en route to a 45-13 win in Sapulpa.
L’liott Curry hauls in one of three touchdown grabs on the night. Photo By Mickey Staudt – Glimmer Photography
Guthrie (13-0) advances to the state championship game for the fourth time in school history, including the second time in three seasons. The BlueJays will be heavily challenged by McAlester (12-1) who has had no issues in their three postseason games. The game is set for a 7 p.m. kick inside Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.
Junior L’liott Curry hauled in three touchdown catches in the second quarter for Guthrie’s first three scores. In addition, the playmaker added an interception to go along with several tackles.
“I thought L’liott was just absolutely the difference in this game tonight. He just stepped up,” Watkins said in his post game radio interview.
Curry’s highlight catch came when senior Kai Callins appeared to have called a running play to the right, but out of no where came Reed Roberts, who was lined up as a receiver, took the toss from Callins and spotted Curry in the end zone.
In the third quarter, Callins hit pay dirt from 17 yards out to give the Guthrie fans the confidence their season was going to be extended for one final week.
Luis Morales drills a school record 51-yard field goal. Photo By Mickey Staudt – Glimmer Photography
Leading 28-7, senior kicker Luis Morales drilled a school record 51-yard field goal that would have been good from 60 yards to ignite the sideline and crowd.
Fellow running backs Idae Alexander and Cartrez Campbell punched in scores in the fourth quarter to help aid the BlueJay running game to 259 rushing yards. Both Alexander and Callins rushed for over 100 yards.
Roberts, who threw all three touchdown passes, was more than efficient by completing seven of his 12 passes for 132 yards. It was Roberts ability the throw the ball that got the Jays offense rolling in the right direction.
Collinsville (10-3) proved to be balance but after the first quarter had a hard time of moving the ball. The Cards finished with 252 yards of offense and three turnovers against Class 5A’s top defense.
Quarterback Zane McElroy was held to 131 yards passing with two touchdowns and 89 yards rushing. Last week, the senior threw for 368 yards and ran for 93 more.
Go Jays, take State! Whoot Whoot