Although the Altus High School Bulldogs made some good plays offensively, and impressed the crowds defensively, they fell to the tough 4A district Elk City Elks in the first game of the season 36-7.
The Bulldogs had some great runs by Kelby Bates, Tucker Taft and Erick Kirby offensively, softening up the middle, gouging on the inside, and made some plays to the outside with Keythen Kellison and Nathan Dela Santos.
With defense, it was super competitive and some very impressive and special plays were made.
The defense was able to make a fumble, scoop and score for the game’s only touchdown by Colton Gillespie, and he then made a big interception. Gillespie was named the Bulldogs’ Player of the Game for these reasons, as well as making some key tackles.
The Elks had a solid defense, a power run game, they passed the run at times, and have some big players that wore down the Bulldogs.
The game started with Elk City kicking off to the receiving Bulldogs. The Bulldogs took the ball on the 20 yard line for a 2nd and down. Elk City then took the ball over for a 5 yard gain. Brody Rogers with a tackle and 1st down with a gain of 7 yards. With 7 plays and 3 first downs for Elk City, they then made a 19 yard touchdown, for a score of 6-0 before going for the 2 points, making it, with the score now at 8-0. The Elks also made a touchdown on their first offensive drive.
The ball then with a bounce to Elk City at the 39 yard line with 4:21 left in the first quarter. Brody Rogers and Hunter Myers. As the quarter was winding to a close, the Bulldogs were again playing with a short field. A hand back to the B Back, 4th down and another punt for Altus bounced back to the 43 yard line with Elk City gaining 6 yards before the second quarter.
Todd Duncan stops Elk City inthe 1st play of the second quarter, then Taft and Aiden Poche stops Elk once again. After a time out, the a couple of brief plays, the Elks were on the heels of the Bulldogs with 8 minutes left in the quarter. The Bulldogs maintained their tight formation as they had down throughout the game. The Elks made a toss to right to the 10 yard line but was stopped by Alejandro before another touchdown by the Elks taking the score to 14-0. The Elks failed the gain the extra 2 points.
To this point, Altus had 2 turn overs and 4 penalties. Elk City only had one.
An incomplete pass by Elk City was interfered by Delasantos at the corner and stops the clock. With 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Elk City made another touchdown.
The second half of the game is where the Altus Bulldogs made their one and only touchdown by Gillespie with Chavez making the extra point for a score of 14-7.
Three plays were made in a row after the turn over with Elk City receiving 3 penalties.
The Bulldogs kept working hard into the 4th quarter to get some turn overs and another touchdown, but the game ended with Elk City taking the game 36-7.
Next week we will host a Bulldog Brawl as the Altus Bulldogs take on the Cache Bulldogs in Altus.