High school football: No. 3 McGuinness shuts out top-ranked Guthrie

“These guys (Guthrie) can put up the points,” linebacker Danny Krenger said. “Our front four, they played their butts off. It was a team effort.”

Krenger intercepted a pass at the goal line early that boosted the McGuinness momentum. He also had 25- and 83-yard touchdown receptions, spurring an impressive offensive showing by McGuinness that was only overshadowed by the defense.

Quarterback Jacob Lewis rushed 35 times for 166 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and he threw for 260 yards and a pair of scores as the Irish outgained Guthrie 479-86.

McGuinness (9-0, 6-0) can clinch the District 5A-2 championship with a win against visiting Deer Creek next week, though a loss would put them in a three-way tie with the Antlers and Guthrie to be broken by district points.

Jones simply hopes his team can maintain the focus it had in preparing for Friday night's win.

“We knew if we were gonna be where we want to be ultimately, we've got a six-week playoff starting here tonight,” the coach said. “The opponents will never get easier. Every game's gonna get bigger and every game's gonna get tougher.

“We've got to do a good job of prepping for a very good football team, and then see where we're at in the playoffs.”