CAC cleans up with victory

Central Arkansas Christian’s Zac Otwell (right) collides with teammate Braylon Harris as Harris carries the ball during Tuesday night’s game against Arkansas Baptist at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. More photos available at arkansasonline.com/galleries
Central Arkansas Christian’s Zac Otwell (right) collides with teammate Braylon Harris as Harris carries the ball during Tuesday night’s game against Arkansas Baptist at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. More photos available at arkansasonline.com/galleries

Central Arkansas Christian Coach Tommy Shoemaker admits his team will have to "clean up" some things in the next couple of weeks, but Mustangs quarterback Noah Evans came out of Tuesday's 34-6 victory over Arkansas Baptist relatively blemish-free.

Evans, a 6-1 junior, threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as the Mustangs rolled to a season-opening victory at War Memorial Stadium.

"We got to clean up the penalties and we had some turnovers that really hurt us," Shoemaker said. "We've got to do a better job of that because we've got a tough stretch of games coming up."

CAC was called for 13 penalties and lost two fumbles in the first half, but the Mustangs were not alone in their struggles. Arkansas Baptist was guilty of 10 penalties and suffered four second-half turnovers. Combined, the teams were flagged 23 times for 190 yards.

"It was sloppy," Arkansas Baptist Coach Brad Helm said. "We were sloppy. Lots of penalties, lots of mistakes, lots of things that we just need to do better. The things we didn't do well are fixable. I'm excited about what we can come back from. It's only the first game of the year. We can't sit back and let this determine how our season goes."

The game was tied at 6-6 until the 3:50 mark of the second quarter. Evans capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive by hitting junior Hunter Corbell for a 15-yard scoring pass. Two minutes later, Josh Johnson hauled in the first of his three touchdown catches -- a 34-yarder.

Evans completed 18 of 29 passes for 236 yards. He did not throw any interceptions and he was sacked only once.

"[Evans] has got a real strong arm. I didn't know he could throw it that far," said Johnson, a junior who finished with six receptions for 90 yards. "He made me go get a little bit, but he had a great game."

Johnson, who also had one of the Mustangs' three interceptions, caught two 16-yard touchdown passes in the second half.

Corbell wound up as the Mustangs' leading receiver, grabbing eight passes for 109 yards. Senior Braylon Harris led the Mustangs in rushing, gaining 113 yards on 12 carries. Harris also came up with an interception, as did Zac Otwell, who made a 43-yard return after his interception.

Arkansas Baptist senior quarterback Cory McGonigal completed 21 of 37 passes for 231 yards, but he was intercepted three times, all in the second half. His twin brother Chad McGonigal was on the receiving end of seven passes for a game-high 125 yards, including a 69-yarder that set up the Eagles' lone touchdown. Senior Andrew Maloy led the Eagles in rushing, gaining 60 yards on 16 carries. Junior Payne Warren caught a game-high 11 passes for 86 yards.

Evans capped CAC's first scoring drive with an 8-yard run with 5:11 left in the first quarter. The Mustangs drove 53 yards on nine plays. The touchdown was set up when Evans connected with Corbell for 28 yards on fourth-and-8 on the play prior to the touchdown.

Arkansas Baptist tied the game with 8:32 left in the second quarter. The McGonigal twins hooked up for a 2-yard scoring pass to cap an eight-play, 88-yard drive.

CAC kicker Justin Flanigan hit four of five extra-point attempts. Five of his six kickoffs sailed through the back of the end zone.

DARDANELLE 42, DANVILLE 0

DARDANELLE — The Sand Lizards intercepted four passes, recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt in a victory over Yell County rival Danville.

Sophomore quarterback Elyas Carter had touchdown passes of 20 yards to Phillip Ellison and 8 yards to Turner Partin. Senior Chris Kershner intercepted two passes and scored on a 75-yard run as the Lizards built a 35-0 halftime lead.

Sports on 09/02/2015

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