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VERNON, Texas — A big surprise awaited the Altus High Bulldogs on Friday night, and it wasn’t a good one. The Bulldogs traveled to Vernon on Friday night and were dealt a 42-3 loss by the Vernon Lions.

Some considered the Bulldogs a favorite to win the game. Vernon had won only three games the past three years and Altus had defeated the Lions three straight times.

But Vernon ended their losing streak to Altus in dominating fashion.

Vernon rolled up 474 yards in total offense to Altus’ 192.

The Bulldogs had 16 negative plays that accounted for a minus 75 yards and they were only three of 13 in third down situations.

Senior quarterback Brandon Urquizo was a big thorn in the side of the Bulldogs. He rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two others.

When the night was over he had rushed 112 yards and was three of five passing for 95 yards.

Altus had three chances to score in the contest. In the first half the Bulldogs appeared to have a first and goal inside the 10 yard line but a holding penalty forced the Bulldogs to a field goal attempt. One other time Vernon held the Bulldogs on downs inside the 20 and late in the game Altus fumbled inside the Vernon five.

If your looking for a bright spot for the Bulldogs, it came from kicker Michael Perez. He punted six times for a 43 yard average. He accounted for the only points on a 41 yard field goal in the second period.

Freshman running back Taven Burdow gave Altus some good moments in the fourth quarter when he ran for five times for 83 yards.

The way the Bulldogs loss came as a shock especially to AHS Head Coach Chad Stone.

“It hit me like a two by four,” Stone said. “I didn’t see this coming at all. I knew their offense was much more suited to their personnel, they looked a whole lot better in their scrimmages. I did not expect not to be able to move the ball.”

So what did Stone tell his team after the game?

“I told them potential is a dangerous thing,” Stone said. “The amount of potential that sits in that dressing room right there is still as every bit as good as I thought it was before the game. We still have the potential to be a great football team, but right now we’re just not very tough. For us to be talented and not tough is a recipe for disaster.”

The Bulldogs will try to rebound Friday when they host Lawton Eisenhower. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m.

Game in Figures

………………………….AHS…..VHS

First downs…………8…………19

Yds. rushing……….190……..379

Yds passing…………2…………95

Passes……………….3-8……….3-5

Fumbles lost…………1………….2

Interceptions………..0………….0……3-41

Penalties…………..10-86…….5-30

How they scored

Vernon - Brando Urquizo 1 run, Alfredo Gonzales kick, 6:25, 1st, VHS 7-0

Altus - Micael Perez 41 yard field goal, 6:32, 2nd, VHS, 7-3

Vernon - Michael taylor recovered VHS fumble in end zone, Gonzales kick, 2:17, 2nd, VHS, 14-3

Vernon - Jacobi White 35 pass from Urquizo, Gonzales kick, 0:13, 2 qtr., VHS, 21-3

Vernon - Urquizo 31 run, Gonzales kick, 10:31, 3rd quarter, VHS, 28-3

Vernon - Urquizo 33 run, Gonzales kick, 3:05, 3rd quarter, VHS, 35-3

Vernon - Robert Thomas 33 run, Gonzales kick, 11:30, 4th, VHS, 42-3

Individual Statistics

Altus

Rushing

Ford 17-41, Yada 2-3, Woodhouse 17-63, Burdow 5-83

Passing

Ford 3-5-2 yards

Receiving

Vidot 2-(-8); Woodhouse 1-8

Kicking

Perez 1-1 field goals 41 yards; 6 punts-43.0

Vernon

Rushing

Urquizo 13-112, 3 TDs; Hayman 9-29; Thomas 10-102, 1TD; McFarland 4-29; Valverde 7-53; Garza 1-29; Whitehead 1-19; Perez 1-(-3)

Passing

Urquizo 3-5-95, 2TDs

Receiving

Valverde 1-18; White 1-35, 1TD; Perez 1-42, 1TD

Kicking

Gonzales 6-6 PATs; Davis 3 punts 41.0 average

Kicking

Interceptions

Fumble recoveries