A comparison can be made between life or the chocolates with the Altus High School football team. You just don't know which football team is going to show up. Will it be the one that upset Lawton High four weeks ago or will it be the team one week later that was shredded by Chickasha in the first district game of the season? Perhaps it will be the squad that played so well last Friday night in a 22-10 victory over the Duncan Demons.
The Bulldogs travel to Oklahoma City Western Heights for a 7:30 p.m. game Thursday.
“Hopefully history won't repeat itself,” AHS head coach Lyn Hepner said. “We're coming off a good game and we have a chance to perform like we know we can, or like we know we have. One is desirable and one is to be avoided.”
Altus goes into the game 3-4 overall and 2-2 in district play. Western Heights is 3-4 and 1-3. The Jets came close several weeks ago in pulling off an upset against Chickasha. The Chicks lost their starting quarterback in the first quarter because of an injury and had to hang on for a 13-9 victory.
They (Western Heights) are better than what a lot of people think,” Hepner said. “They are not a door mat at all. They are trying to do things right and their kids are buying into it. They have sound principals on offense and defense. I think they they are workman like and willing to get down and play you in the trenches. They just play hard nose football.”
The Jets have apparently changed their offensive philosophy. Early in the year they lined up in the spread formation, but have used more of the I and power I sets lately. Their favorite play appears to be the old counter tray (pulling guards and tackles).
“They done that continuously in the games we've seen,” Hepner said
Defensively the Jets use a 4-3-4. Their two leading tacklers are linebackers Sam Crosby (5-10, 185 and Brian Kelley, 5-8, 215), “They're big hitters,” Hepner said.
Bulldog notes: The playoff scenario for the Bulldogs hasn't changed since last week. Three straight wins over Western Heights, Capitol Hill and Lawton MacArthur guarantees Altus one of the four playoff spots from District 5A-1. A loss and the Bulldogs would need help from other teams. “It (the playoffs) is in the back of our minds,” Hepner said. “We said it last week that the playoffs have already started for us. It's win or go home. That's what I put out on the board (bulletin board in the dressing room). We'll figure out all of the other ones later.”
Starting center Danny Sorrell suffered a high ankle sprain in the Duncan game and is questionable for the Western Heights game. If he can't go, Chuckie Gonzalez will start at center. Jeremy Avant suffered a concussion in the game and will probably not play Thursday.
Altus passed the 1,000 yard mark in passing in the Duncan game. Quarterback Blake Stepanovich has completed 99 of 184 passes for 1029 yards and seven touchdowns. The leading receiver is Tony Salafia who has 18 catches for 227 yards. Stepanovich has used 11 different receivers on the season.
Obviously the best games the Bulldogs have played this year is against Lawton and Duncan. In both of those games, Altus has run the ball better than in other games.
“As we continue and try to improve, keeping them off balance is more of our focus,” Hepner said. “Throw it for a short hitch, run it and make some yards, drop back and throw the shovel pass then you go back to running it. We need to keep incorporating the whole offense.”
Directions to Western Heights: Fans making the trip should take U.S. 62 to Lawton. Take Rogers Lane to Highway 44 to Oklahoma City. Take the Airport Road exit (exit is on the left). Airport Road becomes Southwest 44th. The stadium is located at the inetersection of Southwest 44th and Council Road.
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