SAQ: Bixby vs. Guthrie
Bixby ended Guthrie’s season with a 27-20 win Friday night at Pioneer Stadium in Stillwater. The Spartans now move on to face Carl Albert in the 5A finals, a game Carl Albert should win easily. Here’s a look back at Friday night’s semi-final in Stillwater.
Guthrie
What went right: Bryan Dutton had a decent night throwing the ball with 189 yards in the air. Kentrell Brothers was the receiver on many of those completions and also had an impact on defense. Derrick Kelly had a nice night at tailback, scoring all of Guthrie’s touchdowns. Guthrie also did a credible job containing Bixby running back Dewitt Jennings who entered Friday nights’ game with 1200 yards rushing. He broke loose on a long TD run very late in the game, but on the whole, Guthrie did a good job on him. Jennings admitted so himself after the game.
What went wrong: It was hit or miss on pass defense for Guthrie. Sometimes its D would swarm Bixby QB Kevin Lamb, sacking him for huge losses. But all too often Lamb was able to get completions when he needed them, including a long 47 yard completion in the third quarter that gave the Spartans a point blank shot at the end zone and changed the course of the game. Lamb finished with more than 260 yards in the air which was the difference in the game.
Bixby
What went right: Lamb was superb in the win. Bixby’s defense also made plays when they had to, forcing two interceptions. The Spartans also stood firm when Guthrie had a chance to tie or win in the final 1:30. Its defense also rushed the passer fairly well. Overall a great effort from Bixby.
What went wrong: Bixby showed some softness inside against the run. They also gave up some long completions and committed way too many penalties. Outside of those things, the Spartans were all they needed to be to win.
Summing it up: Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins is to be commended for getting his team as far as he did. Watkins is among the best HS coaches in Oklahoma and it was clear back in August he had some significant questions about how his young quarterback and offefnsive line would perform over the course of the season. While he no doubt would still love to be playing, Watkins and the rest of his staff, who also did a remarkable job this year, should feel quite good about the way things are set up for next year. Dutton is just a freshman and Brothers has another year left, too.
Speaking of Dutton, his development is another reason Guthrie got as far as it did. He played well above the curve for freshmen and had he not progressed throughout the season at such a rapid pace, Guthrie probably wouldnt have been in the playoffs at all. He should continue to improve next season, making Guthrie one of the top 5 teams in the class next season.
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Comments
a game carl Albert will easily win? you must have not seen a Spartan game this year. they might not look amazing on paper but they always find a way to win. and also like she said Shawnee was supposed to walk all over bixby but bixby won. and CA lost to Shawnee. CA only beat Kelly by 3 and had to go into 2OT. the Spartans had Kelly beat if not for a late muffed punt. bixby = 5A state champs!
I agree with both of you, I don’t think Carl Albert will win easily. It’s a state championship game and every team that makes it this far is obviously really good. But Spartan Fan, the logic is a little off there. You can’t say “CA only beat Kelley by 3 and had to go into 2OT” and not give any qualifiers then say “The Spartans had Kelley beat if not for a late muffed punt.” Either gives qualifiers for both or neither, as there were a couple plays in the CA-Kelley game that could’ve gone slightly different and led to a Carl Albert blowout. And if you’re going to say that, you could go comparing the teams’ performances against Guthrie. You take CA over Kelley, Kelley over Bixby, Bixby over Shawnee, Shawnee over CA and you get one big loop.
I’ll pick Carl Albert to win, since I picked them before the playoffs started and they’re just on a roll right now, but I’ll pick it close. I don’t see this game being a blowout but I didn’t see one last week with El Reno. I know Pat McGrew does a great job at Bixby and they have some really good players, especially in DeWitt Jennings. Really looking forward to the Class 5A title game.
I agree with you on the loop deal but im just saying you can’t count bixby out and Carl Albert can’t just focus on Dewitt Jennings the Spartans also have one of the most deep receiveing cores ever at Bixby led by Austin White and Zack Alvstead.
You can say it will be a game easily to be won by Carl Albert, but wasnt unbeaten Shawnee and Guthrie suppose to beat Bixby? Lets see, they didnt, and didnt Carl Albert LOSE to Shawnee in regular season play? I wouldnt count your chickens before they hatch!!!!!
I agree, Melissa. Once you reach the finals, all bets are off. Is Carl Albert the better team on paper? Definitely. But what does that have to do with anything? Coach Pat McGrew has done an outstanding job this season with the Spartans.
- Bone