Bryan Dutton lifts Guthrie into Class 5A championship game

On the next drive, Dutton put his team — and its state championship hopes — on his back, running for 67 tough yards as the Bluejays cut their deficit to five before halftime and went on to a 28-25 win Saturday at Collins Field.

“I did the best I could to carry the team,” Dutton said.

The junior quarterback came through time and again in clutch moments Saturday for unbeaten Guthrie, which clinched a spot in Friday's Class 5A state championship game against Lawton MacArthur at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.

“Dutton's just a competitor,” said senior running back Luke Davis. “That's how he is. He's got mental toughness and that's what it's all about.”

Mental toughness was exactly what Dutton needed after the interception. McAlester had seized all the momentum, and Guthrie was driving into intense wind.

“He's a tough rascal,” Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said of Dutton.

“Being around him for three years, I knew he'd be mad (after the interception).”

On run after run — some designed, some improvised — he broke tackles and found holes on his way down the field.

Dutton finished with 173 yards rushing and three total touchdowns Saturday.

And late in the fourth quarter, Dutton took on a receiver's role to clinch the win.

With Guthrie clinging to a three-point lead and facing a third-and-15 on its own 22-yard line, Bluejays offensive coordinator Scott Mick dialed up a toss pass.