FOREMAN -- The Foreman Gators are playing for a state championship.
Foreman (12-1) dismantled the Salem Greyhounds at Memorial Stadium 41-14.
This was the first time either school had played in the state semifinals.
The Gators struck first after CJ Green broke a 40-yard run and Kyren Batey scored from 6 yards out with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter.
Batey continued to give the Greyhounds' defense fits, scoring his second touchdown on a 25-yard run up the middle with 2:26 left in the first quarter.
The Greyhounds (7-6) responded when Austin Goodman caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Harrison Henley for Salem's first score with 10:25 left in the second quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Green ran 49 yards for the Gators' third score with 10:12 left in the first half.
Foreman blocked Salem's 25-yard field goal to stop the Greyhounds' next drive.
Batey scored his third touchdown before halftime, racing 57 yards down the sideline with 4:21 left before halftime. Batey finished with 14 carries for 160 yards and 3 scores.
After dominating on the ground, Batey went to the air in the second half, connecting with Corey Lovewell from 5 yards out with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Isaac Carver put on the finishing touches for Foreman with his 10-yard run with 3:22 remaining left. Carver carried the ball 6 times for 128 yards and 1 touchdown.
Salem's Jordan Turner scored the game's final touchdown with his 5-yard run with 54 seconds remaining.
The Gators' defense -- led by Chris Haywood, Chase Boyd and Brandon Thomas -- kept constant pressure on Henley and the Greyhounds' offense, limiting any offensive damage.
The Gators will take on Mount Ida for the second time this season for the Class 2A state championship at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock next Saturday.
Sports on 12/09/2017