CONWAY -- Holding off a second-half rally, the Conway Christian Eagles survived in a spot where they rarely have in the playoffs.
The Eagles (11-1) defeated the Mountainburg Dragons 38-26 in a second round Class 2A matchup Friday night to advance to the quarterfinals at Mount Ida next week. It is only the second time in school history Conway Christian has advanced this far.
"Our offensive and defensive line just wore them down as the game went on,'' Eagles Coach Justin Kramer said. "We have only been this far once, and that was three years ago when they reached the semifinals. This is the best record in school history. A lot of good accomplishments for our guys."
A 21-point second quarter built a 28-12 halftime lead for the Eagles, but Mountainburg (9-2) rallied and was a missed two-point conversion away from tying the game with 5:19 left in the third quarter.
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"Our pass coverage was not real great, to be honest with you,'' Kramer said. "But I thought our defensive line did a good job there at the end, especially putting on pressure and kinda compensating for some of that.
"Defensively, as a whole, that is such a challenge, and they are so good at what they do."
Mountainburg quarterback Robert Roxin completed only six passes, but three of them were for touchdowns. Roxin hit Jesse Quick on a 47-yard scoring play and Caleb Jorgenson scored on a 30-yard run for the Dragons as the lead was whittled to 28-26. Roxin's two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.
From that point, the Eagles regained control. Jacob Wood scored on a 3-yard run and Bennett Ellis capped the scoring with a 22-yard field goal.
A 51-yard pass from Roxin to Conner Rogers gave the Dragons a 6-0 first-quarter lead.
The Eagles responded with a 5-yard scoring run by Wood, a 5-yard touchdown run by Luke Gates and a 25-yard score from Wood to build a 21-6 lead. Ellis kicked all three extra point kicks.
Roxin and Rogers connected on a 47-yard score to trim the lead to 21-12, but Gates' 12-yard scoring run made it 28-12 at the half.
Wood passed for 77 yards and ran for 131 more while Gates added 124 yards rushing.
Sports on 11/18/2017