North Little Rock RB's 4 TDs spur Charging Wildcats by Rockets

North Little Rock cornerback Sedrick Cain (3) breaks up a pass intended for Little Rock Catholic’s Robert Bavon during the second quarter of the Charging Wildcats’ 49-17 victory over the Rockets.
North Little Rock cornerback Sedrick Cain (3) breaks up a pass intended for Little Rock Catholic’s Robert Bavon during the second quarter of the Charging Wildcats’ 49-17 victory over the Rockets.

7A-CENTRAL

NORTH LITTLE ROCK 49, LR CATHOLIC 14

North Little Rock left very little to the imagination Thursday night against Little Rock Catholic. Then again, the Charging Wildcats haven't left much of anything for conference foes lately.

Running back Tyler Day ran 9 times for 172 yards and 4 touchdowns as top-ranked North Little Rock rolled past Catholic 49-17 at War Memorial Stadium.

Brandon Thomas rushed for 158 yards on 13 carries for the Charging Wildcats, who ran their conference winning streak to 24. The last time North Little Rock (7-0, 4-0 7A-Central) lost in conference was Sept. 25, 2015, when Cabot pulled away for a 34-3 victory in its opener. Since then, the Charging Wildcats have rarely been challenged inside its league, having won 20 of those 24 games by at least 10 points.

Catholic (4-3, 1-3) did put a scare into the defending state champions in the first half. The Rockets trailed by 21 points early but pulled within 21-14 late in the second quarter on quarterback Cooper Monroe's 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Samy Johnson with 3:30 left before halftime.

North Little Rock responded with two touchdowns to close out the half to re-establish control with a 35-14 advantage. The Charging Wildcats then tacked on two scores in the third quarter to finish off the victory.

"I thought we did what we needed to do and got to 4-0 in the conference," North Little Rock Coach Jamie Mitchell said. "That's the big thing right now, and we've got to take it one week at a time. I didn't think we did a great job along the offensive front, but you've gotta give Catholic credit because they played hard.

"But when you put up 49 points, you've gotta be happy for the most part."

Running back Oscar Adaway accounted for 91 yards of offense and 1 touchdown while quarterback Kareame Cotton completed 5 of 10 passes for 134 yards and 1 score for North Little Rock, which has won 10 of its past 11 meetings with Catholic.

Johnson carried 16 times for 56 yards and caught 4 passes for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Rockets, who have lost three in a row after starting the season 4-0.

"Mistakes kind of hurt us some," Catholic Coach John Fogleman said. "But these kids are still playing hard. That three-game stretch of Bryant, Fort Smith Northside and now North Little Rock, that's a tough task. But we're still in the hunt for a playoff spot, and I think the kids will respond."

The Charging Wildcats took it to the Rockets from the start. After forcing Catholic into a three-and-out on the game's first possession, Day took North Little Rock's first offensive snap and sprinted 51 yards for a touchdown to give the Charging Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

Day added a 5-yard score on North Little Rock's next possession, and Thomas had a 62-yard touchdown run with 9:38 to go in the second quarter to put the Charging Wildcats up 21-0 before the Rockets got going.

One play after Thomas' score, backup quarterback Jordan Edington hit Johnson in stride for a 62-yard touchdown to pull the Rockets within 14, but Adaway and Day each scored touchdowns on North Little Rock's next two drives to give the Charging Wildcats a 35-14 lead at halftime.

North Little Rock running back Oscar Adaway (28) shoves Little Rock Catholic defensive back Grant Smithson to the ground Thursday during the Charging Wildcats’ victory over the Rockets. Adaway accounted for 91 yards of total offense and one touch- down in the victory. For more high school football photos, visit arkansasonline.com/galleries.
North Little Rock running back Oscar Adaway (28) shoves Little Rock Catholic defensive back Grant Smithson to the ground Thursday during the Charging Wildcats’ victory over the Rockets. Adaway accounted for 91 yards of total offense and one touch- down in the victory. For more high school football photos, visit arkansasonline.com/galleries.

North Little needed just two plays to open up a 35-point advantage in the second half. Cotton delivered a 55-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Chris Jefferson on the first play of the third quarter and Day's fourth score, a 75-yarder, on the Charging Wildcats' following series gave them a commanding 49-14 lead.

"I like where we're at," Mitchell said. "We've set ourselves up for a great stretch run. We've got Bryant, Northside and Cabot, and all three will be big ballgames with playoff implications.

"We're in a good spot certainly, but we can always get better."

[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Click here for more scores, recaps and photos]

Sports on 10/12/2018

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