HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

CAC players' suggestion a winner

Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs Coach Tommy Shoemaker said he decided with five minutes left that he would go for a two-point conversion if he had the chance Tuesday night in the Mustangs' season-opening game against Arkansas Baptist at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

He got it.

CAC, trailing by seven points to the Arkansas Baptist Eagles, drove from its 9 with 44 second left and scored on a 16-yard pass from junior Kayleb Scallon to senior Stephen Flanigan to pull within a point as time expired.

After an extended conversation with his players, Shoemaker said they convinced him to run a direct snap to junior tailback Braylon Harris out of a Single-Wing set for the two-point conversion.

Harris sliced through the middle of Arkansas Baptist's defense to complete CAC's 36-35 victory.

"They talked me into that play," Shoemaker said. "I'm glad they did."

Arkansas Baptist seemed like it had the game in hand a minute earlier, leading 35-28 and in possession of the ball at CAC's 9 with less than a minute left.

An incomplete pass on third and 4 stopped the clock, and with his kicker on the sideline with leg cramps Arkansas Baptist Coach Brad Helm had no choice but to go for it on fourth and 4. Another pass from senior quarterback Riley Perkins fell incomplete, and CAC took over.

"We shouldn't have passed," Helm said. "That was my mistake."

Scallon completed 14 of 18 passes for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Perkins, a starter for four consecutive seasons, completed 24 of 27 passes for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns and scored on 1-yard run to tie the score at 28-28 with 7:34 left in the third quarter.

"We know we can count on him," Helm said.

"[Perkins] is a very talented quarterback," Shoemaker said. "We knew that. He's hard to stop."

Helm said his defensive backfield had keyed on Flanigan from the start. Arkansas Baptist had held him to a single catch -- a 29-yard touchdown reception -- until the final drive.

"We knew we had to double him because he's so talented," Helm said. "We just couldn't stop him on that final drive. He's a great player."

"I should've done some things to get him the ball more often," Shoemaker said. "We'll have to work on that, but he really came through for us in the clutch."

GREENBRIER 48, BEEBE 29

Senior tailback Karson Mathews rushed 13 times for 68 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Greenbrier (1-0) past Beebe (0-1) at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. “Mathews is a good running back, and he can catch the ball,” Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble said. “He’s a gamer. He’s got a little wiggle and balance and strength.” Greenbrier scored on all six of its twopoint conversion attempts. “We just got that started tonight and I didn’t want to stop,” Tribble said.

DARDANELLE 68, DANVILLE 34

DANVILLE — Kristian Thompson ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more, all in the first half, as Dardanelle (1-0) opened its season with a convincing victory over Danville (0-1). Thompson threw touchdown passes to Michael Dugan and Chris Kershner. Kershner also threw a touchdown pass to Daniel Craig. T.J. Tucker added two rushing touchdowns for the Sand Lizards, and Parker Witt returned an interception for another touchdown as Dardanelle went into halftime with a 53-13 lead.

MURFREESBORO 36, STRONG 14

STRONG — Murfreesboro’s no-huddle offense was too much for Strong as the Rattlers (1-0) cruised by the Bulldogs (0-1) at Jerry Burson Field. Murfreesboro quarterback Alex Kennedy threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Rattlers finished with 250 yards of total offense. Kennedy scored on a 2-yard run and on a 1-yard run as the Rattlers jumped out to a 14-0 lead. He also completed 5 of 12 passes for 82 yards. Both of Kennedy’s touchdown passes went to Jacob Jackson, covering 16 and 32 yards. Murfreesboro’s Daniel Robinson had 10 carries for 60 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run. Strong’s Isaiah Ellison returned a punt 55 yards for touchdown, and Keshaun Howell had an 8-yard scoring run for the Bulldogs.

DIERKS 58, HOPE JV 30

DIERKS — Trendin McKinney rushed 15 times for 105 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Dierks (1-0) past Hope’s junior varsity team. McKinney scored on two 7-yard runs and a 13-yard run. He also caught two passes for 38 yards. Tyler Kessterson was 5 of 7 for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. Justin Joyner led the Outlaws’ defense with seven tackles. Lance McWhorter had five tackles and two sacks. Dierks led 48-24 at halftime.

Sports on 09/03/2014

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