Leaving no doubt which was the better team through three windy quarters, Gatesville had its lead cut to 12 points and Vernon threatened to score again after recovering an onside kick with less than five minutes left to play.
The Lions continued to air it out, but Hornets senior corner Tyler Jaynes battled a receiver and the sun to pick off a lob downfield and seal a 40-28 win in the area round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday at Kangaroo Stadium in Weatherford.
For more information on this story and others, please see the November 28, 2012 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.