Key district showdown in OKC with Guthrie and McGuinness

The Guthrie football program has won their fair share of big games across the state, including state championships at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. However, the Jays will be searching for their first win inside Bishop McGuinness’ Pribil Stadium.

The BlueJays (3-0) carry their 17-game winning streak into a key district showdown with the Irish on Friday evening. McGuinness (2-1) has won two straight games after dropping a 2-point decision to then top-ranked Shawnee. Both teams are expected to make deep runs in the playoffs, but the winner could face a less daunting task once post-season arrives.

Irish head coach Justin Jones (30-11 at McGuinness), now in his fourth season, will line-up Jacob Mullins at quarterback. Mullins was in a tight competition with Jennings Jarman in the offseason, but is the everyday signal caller after Jarman suffered a shoulder injury.

The junior has completed 24 of his 39 passes for 345 yards with two touchdown throws and one interception.

Mullins primary target down field is sophomore Rubell Goe. The wide-out has hauled in eight catches with four of those for scores.

Perhaps, his favorite targets come out of the back field.

The Irish top rusher, Zach Segell, has collected 102 receiving yards on just five catches while Braden Roy leads the team in receptions with 10 grabs and 143 receiving yards.

Last year Roy netted 527 rushing yards and 351 receiving yards.

Segell, listed as 5’8 and 150 pounds, is a quick and speedy back. Last week in a 21-7 victory over Weatherford, Segell posted 71 yards and has totaled 186 yards through three weeks.

The offensive line saw over a dozen players compete for the five positions in the off season. The line averages out over 225 pounds and is helping to aid the Irish to over 100 yards rushing and almost 150 yards passing.

On defense, McGuinness is allowing over 225 yards on the ground to their three opponents (Shawnee, Bishop Kelley and Weatherford). Despite allowing over 300 yards per game to good competition, the Irish are holding their opponents to 15 points per game.

Home field advantage

This will be the seventh meeting between the two programs with the series split at 3-3. Both teams are undefeated on their home field.

Guthrie lost a 32-0 decision in 2012 and a 12-7 setback in 2009. In both of those seasons, the Jays advanced to the state-semifinals. The other meeting in Oklahoma City was back in 2004 (14-7).