Altus High School Head Football Coach Lyn Hepner knew his team had a difficult task on their hands when they traveled to Shawnee on Friday night to face the unbeaten Wolves in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs Shawnee’s potent offense was in high gear and they Wolves rolled to a 43-13 victory.

It was an eye opener for the Altus High defense who had played well all year. But they ran into the most balanced offense they had seen all season.

When it was over Shawnee rolled up 495 yards in total offense, 248 rushing and 247 passing.

The main culprits were junior quarterback Brayle Brown and senior wide receiver Saulyer Saxon. Brown had 325 yards in total offense, 78 rushing and 247 passing. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.

Saxon caught seven passes for 180 yards one of which went for a touchdown.

Hepner said it was a frustrating night trying stop that offense. “Yes, they are very good,” Hepner said. They ran the ball well. They (Shawnee’s offensive line) came off the ball well, better than we thought. We knew they were good but they came of the ball and ran the ball better than I thought they would. Passing wise they did as well as advertised. They are a good team, but I thought we fought with everything we had. I thought we finished well. People got a glimpse of the character these kids have.”

Trailing 9-0 the Bulldogs scored after turning back a fake punt attempt by Shawnee. Tyler George and Kyle Sullivan foiled that attempt on a fourth and five. The ball came loose and Sullivan recovered at the Shawnee 41.

On the next play senior quarterback Austin Beisel dropped back to pass and threw to wide out Bob Laub. Laub made the catch and turned back toward the inside part of the field eluding a would be tackler. He raced into the end zone to complete a 41 yard touchdown play. Michael Perez added the extra point and Altus trailed only 9-7 with 8:21 remaining until halftime.

But that was the last score the Bulldogs would get until the final moments of the game. Beisel scored on a two yard run with 3:43 left in the contes.

Bulldog notes: It’s always difficult time for a coach when he talks to the seniors following their last game. “I was so proud the way some of them grew up over the course of time,” Hepner said. “I’ve been watching them since they were seventh graders. They have come a million miles in their growth and their maturity. I told the underclassmen that this was the day we have talked about. You want to play every game like it’s your last one. That day comes and it’s always too fast. There were some guys in that room that realize what I was talking about.”

The nine points Altus gave up in the first quarter was the first time they had been scored on in the first quarter all season.

The game was attended by St. Louis cardinal pitcher Ryan Franklin. He resides inn Shawnee.

Hepner did take time after the game to voluntarily express appreciation to the Altus fans.

“We really appreciate the support we have received from our community,” Hepner said. “We don’t thank them enough but we do appreciate them.”

How They Scored

Shawnee – Safety, 5:10 1st, qtr., Shawnee 2-0

Shawnee – Brayle Brown 1 run (Jacob Daniel kick) 2:28, 1st qtr., Shawnee 9-0.

Altus – Bob Laub 41 pass from Beisel (Michael Perez kick) 8:21, 2nd qtr., Shawnee 9-7

Shawnee – Saulyer Saxon 38 pass from brown (Daniel kick) 7:1`7, 2nd, qtr. Shawne 16-7

Shawnee – Nick Berry 16 pass from Brown (Brown-Davis pass )0:57, 2md. qtr/. Shawnee 24-7

Shawnee – Bo Davis 20 pass from Brown (kick failed) 1:48, 3rd qtr., Shawnee 30-7

Shawnee – Jordan Aycock 33 run (Daniel kick) 11:52, 4th qtr., Shawnee 37-7

Shawnee – Brrienoz 15 run (kick failed) 10:02 4th qtr., Shawnee 43-7

Altus – Beisel 2 run (pass failed) 3:43, 4th, qtr. Shawnee 43-13

Individual Statistics

Altus

Rushing

Beisel 12-11, 1TD; Sterling 641; Woodhouse 9-19, George 2-3

Passing

Beisel 17-29, 177-1TD, 2INTs

Receiving

Feller 2-1; Neely 2-25, Laub 4-6- 1TD; Sterling 3-20; Harris 3-37; L. Billarrrial; 3-34.

Kicking

Peres 1-1 PAT

Punting

Perez 5-39.4

Fumble recoveries. George, Sullivan, Flores 2, Cunningham

Shawnee

Rushing

Brown 10-78 1TD; Aycock 20-139 1TD; Saxon 1 (-1) Barrienzos 2-27-1TDl Cross 3-22: Bell 1-5; Hennox 2-6

Passing

Brown 13-15-247 3TDs

Receiving

Saxon 7-180 1TD; Davis 2-17-1TD;

Berry 3-27-1TD; B Davis 1-20

Kicking

Daniels 3-5 PATs

Punting

Saxon 2-36.5

Fumble recoveries B. Davis, Lena, Holley

Inteceptions Mitchell, . Davis