5A-CENTRAL

Sylvan Hills goes for it, QB gets it done

Sylvan Hills quarterback Jordan Washington (center) tosses a pass over the top of a Little Rock Christian defender in Friday night’s game. Washington accounted for 265 yards of total offense and three touchdowns to carry the Bears to a 42-35 victory.
Sylvan Hills quarterback Jordan Washington (center) tosses a pass over the top of a Little Rock Christian defender in Friday night’s game. Washington accounted for 265 yards of total offense and three touchdowns to carry the Bears to a 42-35 victory.

Sylvan Hills' 42-35 victory over Little Rock Christian included one offensive highlight after another Friday night at Warrior Field, but in the end it was about Coach Jim Withrow's gut and quarterback Jordan's Washington's legs.

[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Full results + recaps, photos and more]

The score was 35-35 when Withrow called timeout with 3:10 to play in the fourth quarter and the Bears facing a 4th-and-1 situation at the Little Rock Christian 7.

Withrow said he thought about going for a field goal, but he quickly changed his mind.

"In that situation, I think most coaches will tell you that if you can't get a yard, you don't deserve to win anyway," Withrow said. "But you know, it was about a half a yard, and we thought we would get it."

Sylvan Hills (5-0, 2-0 5A-Central) lined up in a packed Shotgun set, with Washington just 3 yards deep. He took the snap and sliced his 6-3, 200-pound frame off left guard and bulled his way into the end zone to give the Bears the lead.

"I was confident when we called that play," Washington said. "I knew we would get it."

One of the reasons Withrow decided to go for the first down was because he wasn't sure the Bears could stop the Warriors offensive attack with junior quarterback Jackson Bowersock throwing for more than 300 yards.

"I really thought they might go 95 yards on us," Withrow said.

Little Rock Christian had one last chance, taking over at its 35 with 2:40 left.

Bowersock completed two passes for 33 yards, including one for 13 yards to junior running back Ladarius Burnes that gave Christian possession at the Sylvan Hills 30 with 1:40 left.

But Little Rock Christian began to sputter.

A yard lost on a run was followed by three incomplete passes. The final attempt, intended for junior Trey Harris, was knocked away inside the 20 by senior Anthony Duncan, and Sylvan Hills took over on downs and ran out the clock as Washington knelt.

"It was a great, all-around high school football game," Withrow said.

"I'm really proud of the way we played," Little Rock Christian Coach Jeff Weaver said. "It was a great game. Unfortunately, we came out on the losing end, but I'm proud of them."

Washington kept 22 times for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns and completed 7 of 13 passes for 131 yards and 1 touchdown.

"Washington just does so much for them," Weaver said. "It all goes through him."

Little Rock Christian (1-4, 1-1) scored on the opening possession of the second half with a 5-yard pass from Bowersock to Harris to tie the score at 28-28. After a successful onside kick, Christian scored on a 34-yard screen to Burnes with 9:45 left in the third quarter to take its only lead.

Burnes scored three touchdowns and rushed for 160 yards on 18 carries.

Sylvan Hills scored first with a 46-yard touchdown run by senior running back Jamar Parker.

Bowersock's 2-yard touchdown pass to sophomore M.J. Loggins pulled Christian even.

It took Sylvan Hills two minutes to retake the lead on senior Andre Collins' 14-yard run on the final play of the first quarter.

Christian tied it at 14-14 on Burnes' 2-yard run with 7:45 left in the first half, which was plenty of time for three more combined touchdowns.

The Bears scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Washington to sophomore Jamir Shutes, and Washington's 26-yard run in the final minute that gave Sylvan Hills a 28-21 lead.

Christian's came on Burnes' 37-yard run with 1:43 left in the half.

Sports on 10/01/2016

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