CABOT -- Kolton Eads was one of Cabot's most reliable runners last season, but because of injuries and emerging depth in the backfield, Cabot Coach Mike Malham plans to play him mostly on defense this season.
The senior made an impact against Conway on Friday night, returning a blocked field goal 70 yards for the first touchdown of the game, scoring two rushing touchdowns and came up with a sack to spark Cabot to a 34-18 victory at Panther Field.
"He's really talented," Malham said. "Our theory is, put the best ones on defense. If they can't score they can't win."
Eads helped pressure Conway quarterback Breylin Smith, to 3 of 13 passing in the second half, while still making a difference on offense and special teams. He corralled a blocked field goal attempt by Conway -- the second one Cabot blocked in the first quarter -- to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead, then scored on 3- and 1-yard touchdowns.
Eads had help Friday from two new Cabot running backs who made their debuts.
Sophomore Adam Flores ran for 138 yards on 18 carries in his first varsity game, and fullback Alex Roberts, who transferred into the district from Alaska, ran for 64 yards for the Panthers, who rushed for 385 yards as a team.
Conway Coach Clint Ashcraft said he wasn't too bothered by how his defense played.
"Our defensive guys showed a lot of guts," he said.
Ashcraft was more disappointed by the issues on special teams, which included two blocked field goals, two tipped extra points, allowing a first down on a fake punt that led to a touchdown and a penalty after recovering an onside kick.
"I thought we were going to be fine, but I got fooled," Ashcraft said. "We've got a lot of work to do. That's obviously going to be a major focus point on Monday."
Smith, who has committed to Central Arkansas, finished 17 of 35 for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns. Conway's Dartanian Thompson finished with 93 yards rushing, but most of that came in the fourth quarter.
Conway got to within 14-6 with a 65-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Thompson in the second quarter. The Wampus Cats recovered a fumble, then drove inside the Cabot 20 before the second-quarter clock ran out.
The Wampus Cats gained 227 yards in the first half, but Cabot's defense controlled the third quarter, holding Conway to minus-9 yards on three possessions.
Smith threw three incomplete passes on Conway's first drive, and Conway failed to get a first down on its second drive. Cabot then scored on the next play when quarterback Jarrod Barnes took an option keeper along the left side for a 40-yard touchdown and Conway never had the ball with a chance to tie the game again.
"We feel like we've got a chance to be pretty decent this year, with as many kids we have coming back," Malham said. "We're pleased with where we're at."
Sports on 09/05/2015