Vernon Lions to host Frederick Bombers in Red River clash

The Vernon Lions (2-1) will play their final non district game of the season on Friday hosting the Frederick, Okla. Bombers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
“We’ve got to get back into the win column. We want all of our guys physically ready for district, but we’ve also got to have our mindset right. You don’t want back-to-back losses going into district, so this is an important game for us to get our mindset right,” Coach Kevin Sherrill said.
The Vernon Lions and Frederick Bombers, on Friday, will renew a Red River showdown that dates back to 1913. However, the two schools, located 31 miles apart, have only played sporadically with Vernon leading the series 13-2-1.
The teams haven’t met since splitting a pair of games in the mid-1990s. The Bombers, on their way to the second of four straight state titles, won 21-20 in 1994 thanks to a missed Vernon extra point. Vernon then destroyed the No. 1, and eventual Oklahoma 3A state champ Bombers in 1995, by a 46-18 score. Terrance Gaines ran in a 64-yard score, caught a 50-yard TD pass from quarterback Si Schur, and Gaines also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score.
Prior to those two games, the two teams hadn’t met since 1962, a 25-6 Vernon win. Vernon halfback Joe McLaughlin scored twice in that game. Quarterback Butch McQuistion and fullback Joe Rodgers also scored as Vernon built a 25-0 halftime lead.
And before that the two almost rivals played to a 7-7 tie in 1937. In that game, the Lions blocked a punt in the final minute and recovered it inside the five-yard-line. Saxon Judd then caught a pass from Charlie Smith for the last second tie.
Frederick lost to Childress 21-14 in overtime last week. The Bombers led 14-0 at halftime but went cold in the second half. The Bobcat defense held Frederick (0-2) to 228 total yards.
“Frederick is a big team, athletic. They played Childress tough. We are not in a position to overlook anyone,” Coach Sherrill said. “We are going to have to be better prepared than last week. Having all of our kids in practice is going to help with that.”
Vernon quarterback Ty Scott is still questionable for Friday’s game with a hamstring issue.
“Ty is still limited. I trust Brian, our trainer Brian Weatherly to tell me when Ty is ready. It is his decision. We don’t want to rush him back too soon and have another injury. We are preparing as if Ty will not play,” Coach Sherrill said.

Vernon quarterback Parker Flynn made his first varsity start last Friday, and he completed 11 of 18 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. He is expected to start this week against Frederick.
Mike Chacanaca/Vernon Record