SILOAM SPRINGS — Springdale Coach Kevin Johnson told his players this week that adversity will build the team's character. The Bulldogs responded well to it Friday.
Junior quarterback Ashton Glaser led the Bulldogs on a 68-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes as Springdale rallied for a 36-30 victory over Siloam Springs at Glenn W. Black Stadium.
Springdale (2-1) didn't secure the victory, however, until senior defensive back Michael Upton intercepted a pass in the end zone on the game's final play.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 23-7 halftime deficit by controlling the ball in the second half. Glaser mixed passing with quarterback draws to keep the Panthers (2-1) off balance.
Glaser ran 21 times for 94 yards and was 24 of 44 passing for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also was intercepted three times.
The third interception appeared to be a game ender, with 3:41 remaining and Springdale trailing 30-27. Siloam Springs tried a fake punt on fourth down from Springdale's 32 with 1:53 remaining and failed.
Glaser directed an eight-play drive in 1:14, capped by a 16-yard pass to Travis Sizemore, who leaped over three defenders to get into the end zone. Carlos Negrete kicked the extra point for a 34-30 lead.
Sizemore had 9 receptions for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Siloam Springs gave up a safety when a snap bounced into the end zone with 19 seconds left. The Panthers recovered an onside kick and reached the Springdale 30 with the help of a defensive holding penalty. Upton outmaneuvered Siloam Springs receiver Roger Jackson in the end zone for the interception to seal the victory.
"We needed some adversity to see how we'd respond," Johnson said. "That's the kind of game you want to win."
Siloam Springs dominated the first half, enjoying a nearly 2-to-1 margin in yardage and possession time while taking a 23-7 lead.
Springdale began its comeback with two 1-yard touchdown runs by Glaser to get within 23-20.
Upton caught an 11-yard touchdown pass with 7:15 remaining to give the Bulldogs their first lead, 27-23. Siloam Springs answered with an 80-yard drive. Nathan Nall had passes of 11 and 17 yards and a 13-yard run on the drive before Tyler Ivey ran 5 yards for the touchdown.
Sports, Pages 30 on 09/15/2007