PEA RIDGE — Pea Ridge Coach Tony Travis preaches to his team that until the opponent gets into the end zone, something good can happen for the Blackhawks.
It did often Friday.
Farmington suffered four turnovers and turned the ball over on downs inside the Pea Ridge 20 once as the Blackhawks won their first game 26-7 at Blackhawk Stadium.
Pea Ridge (1-8, 1-5 4A-1 Conference) had to forfeit two nonconference victories. But the Blackhawks dominated the Cardinals (6-1-1, 4-2) on Friday.
“We knew they were going to be fired up because they felt like they had one taken away from them last week,” Farmington Coach Mike Adams said. “We didn’t overlook them. They just outplayed us.”
Pea Ridge, which lost 35-28 to Prairie Grove last week on a 59-yard fumble return in the final minute, had no such worries Friday. Farmington’s only touchdown came in the final minute after the Blackhawks had built a 26-0 lead.
Pea Ridge set the tone early, taking 12 plays to cover 71 yards after the opening kickoff. Shane Ivy ran 16 yards for the touchdown midway through the first quarter.
Farmington countered by reaching the Pea Ridge 9, but turned the ball over on downs at the 18.
The Blackhawks drove 82 yards with quarterback Seth Blumley diving in from a yard out with 9:45 left in the first half for a 14-0 lead.
The Cardinals were driving on the opening possession of the second half but Michael Ingram fumbled at the Pea Ridge 36 after a reception.
The Blackhawks turned the turnover into another touchdown on Ivy’s 2-yard run for a 20-0 lead with 5:54 left in the third quarter.
Farmington reached the Pea Ridge 19 and 24 on its next two possessions but lost fumbles to squelch both drives.
“You can’t turn it over inside their 20 three times and expect to beat anybody,” Adams said. “They played really well. They just outplayed us.”
After Brumley ran 4 yards with 3:49 left to give the Blackhawks a 26-0 lead, Justice Hobbs ran 1 yard for Farmington’s only score with 52 seconds left.
“My biggest fear was after an emotional letdown after last week could we get back off the floor?” Travis said. “They came out from the opening kickoff and played well.”
EXTRA POINTS
• Pea Ridge kept the ball away from Farmington, holding it for more than 30 minutes. It helped the Blackhawks outgain the Cardinals 324-285.
• Pea Ridge receiver/defensive back Logan Rose was active on both sides of the ball. He caught four passes for 81 yards, intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and broke up two passes. He also had four tackles.
UP NEXT
Both teams finish the regular season with home games. Pea Ridge hosts Berryville. Farmington faces Lincoln with the winner securing the conference’s No. 2 seed in the Class 4A playoffs.
HOW THEY SCORED
Pea Ridge 26, Farmington 7
Farmington^0^0^0^7^—^7
Pea Ridge^7^7^6^6^—^26
First quarter
PRHS — Shane Ivy 16 run (Will Klein kick), 6:03
Second quarter
PRHS — Seth Brumley 1 run (Will Klein kick), 9:45
Third quarter
PRHS — Shane Ivy 2 run (kick failed), 5:54
Fourth quarter
PRHS — Seth Brumley 4 run (pass failed), 3:49
FHS — Justice Hobbs 1 run (Juan Flores kick), 0:52