PINE BLUFF -- Bearden sophomore quarterback Tyler Berry threw a 6-yard touchdown to tailback Xavier Cones as time expired to lift Bearden over Lafayette County, 20-14, in the opener of the 16th Hootens Kickoff Classic at UAPB's Golden Lion Stadium Monday.
Berry hit on his final five pass attempts, including a 37-yarder to CamRon Byes two plays before the game-winning pass to Cones.
Byes had two interceptions in the fourth quarter, the second at the 5 to thwart a Lafayette County scoring opportunity with 4:13 left. Eleven plays later, Berry was breaking Lafayette County's hearts at the other end zone.
Lederrick Lamay threw two first-half TDs to Cualan Williams for the Cougars. Lafayette County totaled 273 yards of total offense on 43 plays but was penalized 16 times for 167 yards.
Bearden had 15 penalties for 104 yards.
Lafayette County had minus-1 yard of offense in the third quarter but got going with 115 yards -- all rushing -- in the fourth quarter. Tre'darius Burks finished with 18 carries for 166 yards, Williams caught 2 balls for 101 yards and 2 scores. Lamay passed for 107 yards but was intercepted three times.
Berry was 9-of-16 passing for 107 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. Cones ran for 61 on 15 carries.
Lafayette County drove to the 24 on its opening possession but fumbled on a fourth-down attempt, giving Bearden the ball at its own 22. Three plays later, Lafayette County forced a fumble and Stepphone Cooper recovered to set up the Courgars at the Bears' 37.
Lamay connected with Williams on a flag route for a 37-yard touchdown on the fourth play to give the Cougars the lead. Burks' extra point made it 7-0 with 15:00 left in the half.
Lafayette County again forced a three-and-out but muffed the punt, giving Bearden the ball at the Cougars 45. The Bears couldn't move the ball and were forced to punt, pinning Lafayette County at its 5.
On the first snap, Berry intercepted a deep pass to get the ball back for Bearden at the Cougars 37. Six plays later, Berry ran around the right end for a 1-yard QB keeper.
Bearden's next drive also started inside Lafayette County territory, but Caleb Johnson jumped on one of four Bearden fumbles--two lost--to thwart the scoring chance.
Lafayette County was forced to punt from 11, and Antonio Berry returned the ball to the Cougars' 8. Tyler Berry hit Nykee Mahan, who made a one-handed grab for the TD catch to give the Bears the lead with 3:33 left before halftime.
It took 21 seconds and two plays for the Cougars to answer, with Williams catching a fade pass down the right sideline from Lamay and juking the safety en route to a 64-yard touchdown.
Sports on 09/01/2015