The Maumelle Hornets proved too fast for the Vilonia Eagles, whose methodical Double Wing offense failed to keep pace.
Vilonia exploited Maumelle's mistakes to keep it close early Friday night, but Maumelle eventually reciprocated and ran away with a 45-21 victory at Hornet Stadium .
Maumelle made it look easy at the start of the game. On its fourth play, senior quarterback J.B. Minix took the snap, hesitated for an instant, and then sliced through a gap for a 29-yard touchdown run.
Minix led Maumelle with 96 yards on 17 carries.
"Our guys being downfield blocking allows me to see holes and creases I can cut through," Minix said. "My team gets all the credit."
Maumelle (6-0-1, 4-0 5A-West) helped make Vilonia's first score a simple matter when junior center Iain Montgomery's snap flew past Minix and was recovered by Vilonia a foot away from Maumelle's goal line. Senior quarterback Jared Willis' sneak on the next play tied the score with 5:07 left in the first quarter.
A 32-yard run by Minix highlighted a six-play, 56-yard drive that was capped by junior running back Jacob Acklin's 8-yard run that gave Maumelle a 14-7 lead.
Vilonia's next play from scrimmage ended when Maumelle knocked the ball from junior back Blaine Norman. Senior defensive back Blake Conner caught the fumble in the air and ran untouched for a 34-yard touchdown that gave Maumelle a 21-7 lead with 2:55 left in the first quarter.
"They have so much speed, that's what makes them good," Vilonia Coach Jim Stanley said. "They're a very athletic team."
Vilonia (3-4, 2-2) dug in on its next possession, driving 77 yards in 11 plays. A 2-yard run by Norman pulled Vilonia to within 21-14 with 7:59 left in the second quarter.
Another turnover by Maumelle helped Vilonia tie the score. Sophomore Kobe Pounders intercepted a pass from Minix and four plays later carried it in from 2 yards out to tie it at 21-21.
"They have some good players, and they're tough," Maumelle Coach Mike Buchan said.
"I'm proud of our kids," Stanley said. "We always play hard. We just made too many mistakes."
Acklin's second touchdown run, from 2 yards, which was set up by a 36-yard run by Minix and gave Maumelle a 28-21 lead going into halftime.
The high-scoring first half gave way to a three-point third quarter, with the only score a 33-yard field goal by senior Jacob Kennard.
"They sent more linebackers to blitz in the second half," Minix said. "That shut down our run game, but we overcame it and won. That's the important thing."
Maumelle took command, 38-21, in the fourth quarter with a 37-yard run by senior running back Kuron Summons.
"Our defense finally woke up and played a lot better in the second half," Buchan said.
Vilonia's offense produced a total of three first downs in the second half as Maumelle forced Willis to pass. Two late interceptions for Maumelle's -- the first of which led to a 4-yard touchdown run by sophomore reserve back Javion Cunningkin -- eliminated any chance of a comeback by Maumelle.
REENBRIER 28,
LR CHRISTIAN 21
Austin Porter’s 86-yard touchdown return of a kickoff in the fourth qurter lifted Greenbrier (4-3, 2-2) to a 5A-West Conference win over host Little Rock Christan (4-3, 2-2).
Michael Stainhour and Tyler Gamelin both had touchdown receptions for Greenbrier. Carson Matthews ran 5 yards for another Greenbrier score.
Little Rock Christian led 14-7 at the half.
MORRILTON 35, FARMINGTON 28
FARMINGTON — Terrace Minor had 27 carries for 83 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Morritlon (3-4, 2-2) past Farmington (4-3, 1-3) in a 5A-West Conference game at Allen Holland Field.
Quarterback Jalen Wright came off the bench and had a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown for the Devil Dogs.
Brice Waggle completed 25 of 37 passes for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michael Ingram added 133 yards rushing.
Sports on 10/18/2014