Guthrie football’s most successful season in over a decade came to a disappointing end Saturday, as the Bluejays were defeated by Carl Albert in the 2024 Class 5A state championship, 30-6.
Carl Albert picked up its third-straight state title at UCO’s Chad Richison Stadium to spoil Guthrie’s magical season. The Jays finish 10-4 overall with their first championship appearance since 2013.
The Guthrie defense opened the game by forcing a Carl Albert punt, but a Daelon Rice interception gave the ball right back to the Titans, who scored the game’s first points via a Devin Woodring 44-yard touchdown pass to Trystan Haynes.
Guthrie was forced to punt the following drive, then Haynes would find the endzone for a second time after catching a jet pop pass from Woodring, giving Carl Albert a 14-0 lead nearing the end of the first quarter. The Titans began the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal courtesy of Ethan Spiwak.
The Bluejays continued to struggle on offense, totaling only 35 yards through the first half. Carl Albert’s suffocating defense prevented Guthrie from establishing its run game, which forced them to throw the ball more than they’re used to. Any chunk plays they could muster came through the air, including a couple of big catches by Amare Watson and Jace Rainwater.
Guthrie’s final three possessions of the first half ended in punts or the end of the half and all lasted six plays or less.
After trailing 17-0 at the halftime break, Guthrie’s longest drive of the night also resulted in their first points of the night as the Jays methodically drove down the field nearing the end of the third quarter. Rice found Rainwater open in the back corner of the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown to cap off a 15-play drive, but the Jays failed to convert the extra point attempt.
Carl Albert had picked up another touchdown the previous drive, making the score 24-6. The Titans responded to Guthrie’s touchdown in just two plays, as Woodring hit Todd James deep down the field for a 57-yard score to bring their lead to 30-6. Carl Albert head coach Mike Dunn attempted to go for two, but was stuffed by the Bluejays.
With under 10 minutes to go in the 5A state championship, Guthrie tried to throw their way back into the game but were thwarted after Daelon Rice was intercepted by Trynae Washington for a second time.
The Titans were content to run the clock with their 24-point lead, eventually winning the game, 30-6, to become Class 5A state champions for the third-consecutive season. Carl Albert ends with a perfect 14-0 record to win its eighth title in the last nine years and 19th all-time.
Guthrie finishes the season as the 5A state runner-up with an overall record of 10-4. It’s the program’s best season since its 2013 state championship run, led by an impactful senior class that have been together since middle school. Senior defensive end Eli Plagg spoke after the game about that group of seniors and how special they are.
“We’ve grown a hell of a lot,” Plagg said. “I love em’ all to death, every single one of them. I’ve played football with them ever since sixth grade when I first got here. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Plagg, who was one of Guthrie’s stars on both sides of the ball, also talked about the season as a whole and how the team bounced back from a rocky start.
“We started off rough going 0-1, then 1-1, then 1-2. It’s been a rough season, but the chemistry of the team has just been built up over and over again. That’s how we got this far… We’re not the most athletic, but we damn sure try our hardest. I love this team to death and I’m always going to remember this as one of my key life moments.”
Plagg recorded four tackles, a pass break-up and grabbed a 10-yard catch on offense in the title loss.
Bluejays’ players were awarded their runner-up medals and head coach Kelly Beebe was bestowed the 5A runner-up trophy before Carl Albert celebrated with their championship hardware.
Guthrie took two early losses to start the 2024 season, but would go on to win nine of their last 10 games including playoff victories over Lawton MacArthur, Booker T. Washington and Newcastle. It’s the first time Guthrie has ever made the championship game and not won it, winning four state titles in the program’s history (2002, 2007, 2011, 2013).