Struggling in the running game, the Altus High junior varsity turned to the pass to defeat the Lawton Eisenhower Eagles 22-20 in double overtime Monday night at Hightower Memorial Stadium.

The Bulldogs found the going rough against the big physical defensive front of Eisenhower. They rushed for only 34 yards on 19 attempts.

Altus then went to the passing game and it was the combination of quarterback Blake Stepanovich to wide receiver Tony Salafia that did most of the damage.

Salafia, who also is a quarterback has played some wide receiver to give depth to an injury plague position for the Bulldogs.

Stepanovich and Salafia hooked up twice for touchdowns in the game. The first came in the fourth quarter when Altus was trailing 6-0. From the Ike 28, Stepanovich threw into the end zone for Salafia who outfought an Eagle defender for a leaping catch and the first score of the game for the Bulldogs. The conversion run failed and the score was tied 6-6 with 7:53 left in the game.

The game went to overtime and Ike went on offense first. The Eagles scored on a four-yard touchdown pass on the third play. They also converted on a two-point conversion for 14-6 lead.

On Altus’ first play, Stepanovich rolled right and found Salafia open in the back part of the end zone for a 10-yard scoring strike. On the conversion attempt Stepanovich once again rolled right, but this time threw back to the left to a wide open tight end Patrick Marshall. That tied it at 14-14 and sent it to a second overtime.

Altus began on offense this time and once again, it didn’t take the Bulldogs long to score.

Stepanovich dropped back and was pressured by two Ike defenders. He avoided the would be tacklers, looked and threw to the left to Marshall who once again was wide open. Marshall made the catch for the touchdown. One more time Stepanovice rolled right on the conversion attempt and once again passed to Salafia for the conversion points.

Eisenhower scored on a pass on a first down play of its possession. The game ended however after a wide open Eagle receiver dropped a pass.

Stepanovich completed 10 of 21 passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Salfia caught four passes for 48 yards while Zachary Kiniry had four catches for 40 yards.

Salafia and Stepanovich also gave the Bulldogs a lift on defense. Salafia had two interceptions while Stepanovich picked off one pass.

Altus will travel to Lawton next Monday for a return match with the Eagles.