Blue Devils level Mustangs

W. MEMPHIS 45, FORREST CITY 12

FORREST CITY — Michael Troxler threw three touchdowns passes and ran for another to lead West Memphis to a 45-12 victory over Forrest City.

The Blue Devils broke open a tight game in the second half by pouncing on three fumbled kickoffs and turning them all into touchdowns.

Troxler, who was 7 of 8 passing in the second half, completed 11 of his 17 throws for 169 yards while throwing to four different receivers.

“We definitely have a lot of weapons on offense,” said West Memphis senior receiver Steven Stone, who had 4 receptions for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. “You can’t key on any one of our receivers.”

West Memphis led 13-12 at halftime, with its defense yielding 125 yards passing by Forrest City quarterback Randal Moore.

But the Mustangs fumbled two consecutive kickoffs early in the fourth quarter and it swung the game in favor of the Blue Devils.

Senior running back Guren Holmes scored from the 2 with 1:47 to play in the third quarter to give the visitors a 19-12 lead.

The Blue Devils defense intercepted a Moore pass near the end of the third quarter to set up Holmes’ second touchdown, a 4-yard run, on the third play after the turnover.

Troxler hit Stone with a 29-yard touchdown pass after Forrest City’s first fumbled kickoff of the second half and there was a 14-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Marshall after another fumbled kickoff to make it 38-12 West Memphis with 10:33 left in the fourth quarter.

West Memphis clinched it with another touchdown from Troxler, this time using his legs.

Forrest City led 6-0 and 12 -6 in the first half before the Blue Devils nudged ahead midway through the second quarter.