Guthrie halts Bishop McGuinness' 28-game winning streak

By Ryan Aber

Published: September 6, 2008

GUTHRIE — Last year, Guthrie's Clayton Smith wouldn't even have had the chance.

Smith was an offense-only guy; a player Bluejays coach Rafe Watkins thought too valuable on offense to risk using him on defense.

With heavy losses from last year's graduating class, the defending 5A state champions had to change things up a bit, though.

So Friday, just moments after his fumble had Bishop McGuinness believing it was in the game, Smith snatched it away.

He came up with a fumble recovery of his own and spurred Guthrie to a 21-3 victory in front of a packed house at Jelsma Stadium.

"We wanted to be the only undefeated team in the state this year,” Smith said. "And now, we've got that chance.”

Guthrie's win snapped McGuinness' 28-game winning streak. The Irish had turned in back-to-back undefeated seasons to go along with their two Class 4A titles.

But their chances of extending the streak ended with Smith's recovery.

His earlier fumble was the senior's first since at least his freshman year, Watkins said.

"He's a tough kid,” Watkins said. "Had it not turned out the way it did and he got it right back, we still would've relied on Clayton.

"We trust him.”

And that's why Watkins elected to move Smith to defense just two weeks ago.

"We moved him and Reese Hand over there because we needed that speed,” Watkins said. "They did a great job over there tonight.”

In an unfamiliar place, with the score close and McGuinness breathing down their necks, it was Smith who came up with the big play and making the Irish pay.

The Bluejays immediately went on a nine-play, 59-yard scoring drive capped by Keaton Callins' 8-yard touchdown pass to Skyler Smith that all but put to rest any doubt that Guthrie would be the one keeping alive chances of another undefeated season.

"Welcome to the state's longest winning streak,” a Guthrie assistant told his team after the game.

Almost.

Shattuck's streak — 70 straight entering Friday — far eclipses the one Guthrie is on, though the Bluejays, at 15 consecutive wins and counting, hold the longest streak in 11-man.

But early in the fourth quarter, Clayton wasn't thinking about winning streaks. He was just trying to find a way to make up for his mistake.

"I told the offensive line, ‘I'll get the ball back for you all,' ” Smith said. "Their running back did the same thing I did, moving the ball over, and it popped out.”

Smith finished with nearly 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Callins completed all but one of his nine pass attempts, including four to Donte Foster for 79 yards and a touchdown.

But it was the defenses that were the stars in Guthrie on Friday.

"Both of these teams came in with big questions on defense, and I think we both answered that tonight,” Watkins said. "Do we have a lot to work on? Sure, but most everyone does.

"But we feel pretty good.”

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