Jays fall short of state championship game

A freshmen quarterback wins the quarterback race prior to the first game, an 0-2 start to the season, fans predicting three or four wins from that point, an embarrassing home loss to rival Carl Albert, going on the road for the first round of the playoffs, and going on the road for the second round of the playoffs were all good reasons to get ready for basketball and wrestling season.

But these Jays took it a step further in the state semi finals, but ended up on the short end 27-20 to the Bixby Spartans, at Pioneer Stadium, in Stillwater.

Guthrie finishes their season with an 8-5 record and have reached the 5A semi's three of the past four seasons.

Bixby (9-4), who is moving up to Class 6A for at least the next two seasons, advances and plays Carl Albert for the 5A title, but needed all 48 minutes to take down the Jays.

Bixby senior leader quarterback Kevin Lamb proved to be the difference for the Spartans both on the ground and through the air.

The three year starter, who quarterback Bixby in the 2007 state championship game against Guthrie, completed 18 of 23 passes for 272-yards. Lamb finished with 59-rushing numbers when you include the three Guthrie sacks, but his ability to scramble out of the pocket proved to be big.

None bigger then his scramble and pass that set up his eventual game winning score in the fourth quarter.

Lamb took a low snap and as it was all night, Guthrie brought pressure and covered well down field. Lamb forced out of the pocket and started to dodge one BlueJay after another, then dodge his own blockers, and finally planted and found Tanner Hordabay for a 47-yard gain that set up his six-yard score.

Both teams failed to score in the opening quarter before Guthrie struck first :40 seconds into the quarter when junior running back Derrick Kelly scored from 5-yards out.

Guthrie, who wanted to establish a running game early in the game, put together the 13-play drive and 5:35 off the clock to set the tone.

Kelly finished the night with three rushing scores and was named the Farmers and Merchants Bank Player of the Game.

The Jays were 7-2 this season when they scored first.

Despite not throwing for a touchdown, quarterback Bryan Dutton finished the night 14 of 26 passing for 185-yards and proved to show poise against a defense that pressure every snap. Dutton was intercepted twice, but none led to points for Bixby. In the process, Dutton passed the 2,000 yard passing plateau and becomes the second player ever in Guthrie history to throw for over 2,000 yards.

The Spartans countered the Jays score on their next possession with a touchdown from their running back.

Dewitt Jennings, who has orally committed to play at Tulsa next season, rushed from 3-yards out to tie the game at 7-7 and was the score at the half.

Bixby got their first lead and the lead for good on their opening possession of the second half. Lamb connected with Bryant on a 35-yard catch for the 14-7 lead.

Guthrie responded with a score of their own to tie it up, but needed a gift first.

With Bixby moving the ball, Jennings was striped of the ball and the Jays recovered at midfield and then went on a 10-play drive to hit pay dirt to take advantage of the turnover.

Kelley scored from 2-yards out to tie it at 14-all with 1:01 left in the third quarter.

Lamb's miracle play and touchdown gave the Spartans a 21-14 advantage with 11:54 left to play, Guthrie put together a drive that covered 75-yards on 11-plays that took over 3:30 off the clock, and was capped with Kelly's third score to pull the Jays within one, 21-20. However, the point after was wide right and Bixby had the ball back with 3:43 left in the game.

The Spartans picked up big chunks on first downs and Guthrie was reluctant to use their two timeouts, but then Jennings did Guthrie a favor and many did not know that he had. Jennings scored.

Jennings took off on a 64-yard touchdown run down his sideline. Although, he scored to give the Spartans a 27-20 lead, he gave Guthrie an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

After Jennings' touchdown, Bixby was called for a personal foul and the yardage was moved back on the point after, and the result was no good as it went under the side bar leaving the Jays 1:27 left to play with.

Guthrie, however, went four-and-out.