The state’s largest newspaper and many other media outlets had Guthrie and Deer Creek as one of the premier games in the state for Week 4 of the high school football season, but Guthrie put a quick damper on that notion.
Devonte McCully has 8 catches for 214 yards and 5 touchdown scores in the last two weeks. Photo By: Jarrett George
The Jays jumped out to a 24-0 first quarter led and a 41-0 halftime score to take the air out of any gesture of a four quarter game. The Jays finished with 387 yards of offense in the first half alone and in the process held the Antlers to just 9-yards of offense in the first 24 minutes.
Deer Creek opened the third quarter with a 7-play scoring drive for the only points in the second half as Guthrie improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play with a 41-7 win. Deer Creek falls to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in 5A-1.
With the win, Guthrie leads the series with Deer Creek 4-2 overall that dates back to 2004. In the last three games of the series, the Jays have won by a combine score of 134-7. The Jays defense had shut-out the Antlers in 10 straight quarters.
On the game’s opening possession, Guthrie went down the field on an 80 yard drive on 9 plays and was capped off by a Derrick Kelley 4-yard touchdown score. The senior running back took advantage of a huge hole that was created on the left side by Blake Belcher and Hayden Seifert. Kelley, who was filling in for injured Alphonso Wilcots, finished the night with 23 carries for 83-yards and two touchdown scores. Despite missing the extra point, Guthrie immediately set the tone.
On Deer Creek’s opening possession, junior linebacker Landry Chappell forced an Antlers fumble on the second play from scrimmage with senior Marcus Ware pouncing on the ball to give the Jays a short field to work with. In result, Guthrie took advantage on the first play.
Jays quarterback Bryan Dutton took off on the right side where he found a huge gap, that was created by Malachi Galbraith and Bryce Sullivan, and sprinted in for the 54-yard score. This time the extra point was good and with 7:49 left in the opening quarter Guthrie had built a 13-0 lead.
Dutton was named the Farmers and Merchants Bank Player of the Game as the sophomore threw for 315 yards on 16-of-26 passing, including three passing scores all to senior wide out Devonte McCully.
McCully’s first TD grab resulted in a 67-yard score when he took the screen pass from Dutton and took off down the field. The drive was aided by two crucial penalties by Deer Creek that kept the Guthrie drive alive. Regardless, the Jays had built up a 27-0 first quarter cushion.
The Dutton to McCully connection continued in the second quarter when Dutton lobbed the pass into the North end zone and found McCully, who used his 6’6 frame to go over two Antlers for the score to increase the lead, 34-0, with 6:56 to play til the half.
The final score of the night for McCully came just before the half when Dutton hit the senior from 13-yards out to finalize the Jays scoring for the evening. McCully finished the night with 5-receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He has brought in five touchdowns in the last two weeks.
Senior play maker Kentrell Brothers finished the night with over 100 yards receiving as well with 106 total on six catches.
In the end, the Guthrie offense exploded for 442 yards of offense while holding Deer Creek to 123 yards of offense. Entering the game, Deer Creek had averaged 301 yards of offense.
The Jays now must refocus as they hit the road in search of their first road victory this season as they travel to Ada, who shut-out Southeast 41-0 Friday night, for another key 5A-1 district match-up.
Many expect Guthrie, Carl Albert, Deer Creek, and Ada to make the playoffs out of the district. A Guthrie win could very well almost guarantee a home playoff game for Week 1 of the playoffs.
guthrie has seemed amazing the first half of every game thus far. but then looks to be out coached the 2nd half. their opponent either figures out guthries game, or guthrie comes out with no focus, no intensity. i understand to some degree the clock is meant to be ran down, but the calibur of play the 2nd half was almost embarrasing. seemed like 2 completely different guthrie teams. it sends a message of hope to future opponents that guthrie can be beaten the 2nd half if u just hang in there and play a close game the first. teams like carl albert, btw, tec are lovin this. i hope the consistancy gets better!
I have to agree with you Bri on this one. We have to be more consistent and the outcome from the Enid game proves your point. We have a phenomenal team and a great coaching staff I hope we figure it out. We have got to cut down on our penalties.