AMARILLO Big plays in the first half and lack of possessions in the second half proved to be too much for the Odessa High football team Friday night.
Amarillo High rushed out to a large lead in the first half and then coasted after halftime for a 42-17 victory against the Bronchos at Dick Bivins Stadium.
Running back Pius Vokes rushed 15 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yarder to start the scoring just 3:31 into the game.
He also caught three passes for 78 yards and one score, a 60-yard pitch and catch from quarterback Mason Graham with 4:38 remaining in the first half to cap the Sandies’ outburst.
Graham finished the night 13-of-19 passing for 170 yards and four touchdowns.
“We just didn’t play very well and Amarillo High played as well as I’ve seen them this year,” Odessa High head coach Dusty Ortiz said. “I knew their defensive line was good, but they played very well and put a lot of pressure on us and didn’t give us much time to throw the ball.
“They hit some big plays in the first half and then in the half they went on a 12-play, 70-yard drive that took, I think, minutes off the clock. I think we only had the ball twice in the second half, maybe three times.”
Odessa High ran just 44 plays on the night.
Sophomore running back Jorge Valdez was a bright spot for the Bronchos (2-2), finishing with six carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns (5 and 82 yards).
Quarterback Jaylien Jones was held to 5-of-11 passing for 39 yards before leaving the game after a hard tackle.
Sophomore kicker Jacob Pornan connected on a 34-yard field goal for Odessa High at the end of the first half.
The Bronchos close out their nondistrict schedule against Schertz Clemens at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Ratliff Stadium.
They will have a bye the following week before meeting Permian at 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 to open District 2-6A play.
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