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By: Chris Evans
As expected the Piedmont Wildcats are an improved ball club from a season ago when they failed to record a win, but the hard playing Wildcats did not have an answer for the Guthrie BlueJays as the 'Jays captured their third win of the season, 35-7, over Piedmont.
Guthrie jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Piedmont stayed in the game until midway through the third quarter. The win improves the Jays to 3 and 0 while Piedmont drops their overall record to 1-2. With the win, Guthrie extends the largest winning streak in school history and is currently the largest winning streak in the large school's with 17-wins in a row.
However, senior running back Clayton Smith left the game with a knee injury. Smith, who was taken to the hospital, dislocated his knee cap and his future status is not known at this time. Smith missed last weeks game with El Reno due to a toe injury.
The Jays offense came into the Piedmont game averaging 310-yards of offense and finished on this night with 373 total yards, but lost five turnovers and committed 13-penalties for 95-yards. Better news for the defending state champs was that the defense continued to play strong, despite giving up their first touchdown of the season.
Piedmont finished the game with 167 total yards of offense with 91-yards on the ground and 76-yards in the air. The 'Cats also set themselves back with three turnovers including an interception by sophomore Marcus Ware. The interception marks the first INT on the year for a BlueJay.
Guthrie got on the board first with a 23-yard pass from senior gun slinging Keaton Callins to sophomore Kentrell Brothers. Junior Hank Hudson was good on the PAT to give the Jays a 7-0 lead. Hudson finished the night 5-5 on extra points and is 13-13 on the year.
Callins found the end zone, again, but this time with his feet with a touchdown run of 38-yards to cap off a 3-play drive covering 60-yards in the second quarter.
Piedmont would get their lone score on a 73-yard drive resulting in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Travis Mustain to tight end Corbin Cross in the second quarter.
At the half, Guthrie piled up 177-yards of total offense, but 117 of those yards came on five big plays with runs of 19, 25, and 38-yards and passes of 15 and 23-yards.
Callins finished the night with 131-yards rushing and 10 of 19 passing for 142-yards to go along with three passing scores and two interceptions.
Guthrie finished the night with 230 rushing yards and led by Callins and his 131-yards on the ground.
The Huddle House Player of the Week was given to senior Donte' Foster for his difference making plays in the second half and none bigger to begin the third quarter.
Foster lined up in the slot on the near side and took off to the far side and got the ball from Callins on a reverse play that would send Foster to the end zone from 62-yards to give the Jays a 21-7 advantage. Foster finished the night with two touchdowns and had four receptions for 83-yards.
The second score for Foster came on a 13-yard pass from Callins, also in the third quarter. Callins pushes his touchdown passes up to eight for the season.
The final score came from J.P. Bruner on a 21-yard scamper. Bruner was awarded the Tyler Nichols Heart of a Champion Award in the radio post game show.
Guthrie returns back to Jelsma Stadium this week when they entertain the Lions of Durant High School. The game will mark the beginning of district play and is homecoming for the Jays.
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