Z motion 10 out on 2
09-27-2003, 04:45 PM
VERNON — The Vernon Lions exploded for 27 fourth-quarter points to run past the Burkburnett Bulldogs, 41-26, but the Lions had to resort to trickery to grab control of the game here Friday night.
Vernon trailed the Bulldogs early in the fourth quarter and faced fourth-and-two on the Burk 48-yard line.
That’s when Lions coach Keith Hall called for a fake punt.
"It’s one thing to fake a punt and get a first down but it’s another thing to fake it and go score," he said. "That was a big change in the momentum."
Upback Gio Portalatin took the direct snap and handed it to Anthony Hall, who broke free on the right side of the defense and ran untouched down the sideline for a 52-yard score.
"It was a good play called by Coach and we ran it to perfection," Anthony Hall said. "It opened up nicely."
The play not only gave Vernon its first lead since early in the game, but it also blunted a spirited Bulldogs effort.
"It seemed to really take the air out of us," Burk coach Bill Dalke said. "Our defense was playing well and making a lot of plays and that really discouraged us."
The Vernon offense took control from there.
Tailback Anthony Hall rushed for 115 of his game high 172 yards in the fourth quarter, including three touchdowns (52, 2, 49). Backfield mate Antonio Shelton finished with 101 yards on 15 carries.
Vernon (3-1) finished with 321 yards rushing, with 164 of those coming in the decisive fourth quarter.
The Lions’ big quarter allowed them to overcome a sloppy first half in which the Bulldogs took advantage of three Lions fumbles, converting them into 13 points and a 19-14 halftime edge.
Burkburnett defensive lineman Cody Adams pounced on Vernon quarterback Trey Schur’s fumbled snap to give the Bulldogs possession and a golden opportunity at the Lions 15-yard line with 3:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
William Gates took an inside handoff on the next play and raced for a 15-yard touchdown to give Burk a 12-7 lead.
The Bulldogs (3-2) again took advantage of a Lion miscue late in the second quarter.
Vernon punt returner Matthew Gonzalez misplayed a Casey McCleskey punt. Jordan McLain recovered to give the Bulldogs possession on the Vernon 20-yard line.
Once again, Burk cashed in immediate when quarterback Casey Copeland hit Jacob Amey on a fade route in the corner of the end zone. The Bulldogs led 19-7.
The Lions closed the margin after Schur hit Gonzalez on a 34-yard scoring strike to close the margin to 19-14.
The Bulldogs drew first blood when quarterback Copeland found McCleskey behind the Lions’ secondary for an 80-yard scoring strike at the 7:20 mark in the first quarter.
The lead would be short-lived. Two plays later Lions tailback Antonio Shelton took a dive handoff from quarterback Trey Schur and burst through the middle of the Bulldog defense for a 68-yard scoring romp. The Lions led 7-6.
Note: Senior Marca Lawrence was crowned homecoming queen during halftime festivities.
Vernon trailed the Bulldogs early in the fourth quarter and faced fourth-and-two on the Burk 48-yard line.
That’s when Lions coach Keith Hall called for a fake punt.
"It’s one thing to fake a punt and get a first down but it’s another thing to fake it and go score," he said. "That was a big change in the momentum."
Upback Gio Portalatin took the direct snap and handed it to Anthony Hall, who broke free on the right side of the defense and ran untouched down the sideline for a 52-yard score.
"It was a good play called by Coach and we ran it to perfection," Anthony Hall said. "It opened up nicely."
The play not only gave Vernon its first lead since early in the game, but it also blunted a spirited Bulldogs effort.
"It seemed to really take the air out of us," Burk coach Bill Dalke said. "Our defense was playing well and making a lot of plays and that really discouraged us."
The Vernon offense took control from there.
Tailback Anthony Hall rushed for 115 of his game high 172 yards in the fourth quarter, including three touchdowns (52, 2, 49). Backfield mate Antonio Shelton finished with 101 yards on 15 carries.
Vernon (3-1) finished with 321 yards rushing, with 164 of those coming in the decisive fourth quarter.
The Lions’ big quarter allowed them to overcome a sloppy first half in which the Bulldogs took advantage of three Lions fumbles, converting them into 13 points and a 19-14 halftime edge.
Burkburnett defensive lineman Cody Adams pounced on Vernon quarterback Trey Schur’s fumbled snap to give the Bulldogs possession and a golden opportunity at the Lions 15-yard line with 3:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
William Gates took an inside handoff on the next play and raced for a 15-yard touchdown to give Burk a 12-7 lead.
The Bulldogs (3-2) again took advantage of a Lion miscue late in the second quarter.
Vernon punt returner Matthew Gonzalez misplayed a Casey McCleskey punt. Jordan McLain recovered to give the Bulldogs possession on the Vernon 20-yard line.
Once again, Burk cashed in immediate when quarterback Casey Copeland hit Jacob Amey on a fade route in the corner of the end zone. The Bulldogs led 19-7.
The Lions closed the margin after Schur hit Gonzalez on a 34-yard scoring strike to close the margin to 19-14.
The Bulldogs drew first blood when quarterback Copeland found McCleskey behind the Lions’ secondary for an 80-yard scoring strike at the 7:20 mark in the first quarter.
The lead would be short-lived. Two plays later Lions tailback Antonio Shelton took a dive handoff from quarterback Trey Schur and burst through the middle of the Bulldog defense for a 68-yard scoring romp. The Lions led 7-6.
Note: Senior Marca Lawrence was crowned homecoming queen during halftime festivities.