DURANT — The Durant Lions (12-1) overwhelmed the Guthrie Blue Jays, 6-1, in their first playoff game Tuesday night at Paul Laird field while the Lady Lions (12-1) won a defensive struggle, 1-0, over the Northwest Classen Lady Knights for their first playoff victory this season. Both teams progress to the second round of the playoffs and will travel to play their games Friday night.

The Lady Lions will face Carl Albert and the boys will take on the Northwest Classen boys.

Now the playoffs are down to the final eight teams. If either Durant team wins the next playoff game, they will play in the state semi-finals next Tuesday.

There are some scenarios where either Durant team could host the semi-final game.

Girls

Both teams came in with strong records and had scored a lot of goals against lesser opponents during the season. NW Classen had scored 88 goals in the 13 games they played while the Lady Lions had scored 65 goals but had given up only four goals all season.

But stats do not decide a game, teams do, and the team with the most heart and the best defense won the game at Paul Laird field Tuesday night.

“It was good to get the playoff win,” said Coach Ronnie Norman. “The defense played inspired and we really shut them down in the second half.”

Durant recorded their 11th shutout of the season and outshot Northwest Classen 25-16. But only one shot went into the goal. With 25 minutes remaining in the game, Kendra Boydstun took a nifty pass from Jackson and slipped the quick shot past the goalie for the only score of the game and her 29th goal of the year.

The defense really clamped down after that with the Lady Knights getting very few scoring opportunities. Seniors Kayla Yandell and Malerie Guilbeau along with Kirsten Ashby and Brittany Coxsey with some relief help from Kaija Morris gave Northwest Classen only their second shutout all season.

“It felt good getting another shutout, but the defense played great,” said goalie Nicole Watkins.

The Lady Lions will likely travel to Carl Albert in their next playoff game Friday night. They beat Carl Albert in a 1-0 overtime thriller last year. Carl Albert lost in the finals last year to Tulsa Bishop Kelley and has been ranked as high as second this year.

Boys

It was evident from the start of the game that the Lions were the better team and they proved it with the 6-1 drubbing of the Blue Jays.

Bo White got the scoring started with only seven minutes into the game with a tremendous curving direct kick from about 30 yards out.

With 22 minutes left in the first half, Jordan Smith took a pass from Spencer Wallace and gave Durant a 2-0 lead. Smith scored his second goal of the night with 12 minutes left in the half with White getting the assist and the 3-0 lead remained at halftime.

Durant suffered a defensive miscue which Guthrie took advantage of with just two minutes into the second half, and Guthrie cut the lead to 3-1. But the Durant defense played better and Bo White took over with 23 minutes left in the game as he dribbled the length of the field through most of Guthrie defense and took a shot about five yards from the goal for his second goal of the night.

Spencer Wallace took over the scoring as he scored the final two goals of the game. The first came from a pass from Logan Watson with 14 minutes left in the game and then with 11 minutes left, Wallace scored with a quick shot unassisted.

“That was the first time that I have ever scored two goals in a game,” said Jordan Smith after the game. “We can beat Classen.”

“We outplayed them throughout the game,” said coach John Wilmoth. “Our goalie played well. The three captains each scored two goals-that’s leadership. We’ll probably play Northwest Classen, bring them on.”

Northwest Classen also sports a 12-1 record losing only to Capital Hill just like Durant.