Earney runs wild
Hunter Earney was not going to let the De Queen Leopards lose for the sixth consecutive season to the Nashville Scrappers.
The senior running back rushed for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns on 27 carries and finished with 421 all-purpose yards and 5 touchdowns in De Queen’s 49-42 victory Friday over the defending 7-4A Conference champion.
Earney had touchdown runs of 67 yards in the first quarter, 39 yards in the second quarter, 44 yards in the third quarter and 10 yards in the fourth quarter. He also had a 40-yard interception return in the second quarter en route to De Queen’s 35-28 halftime lead.
“It was phenomenal,” De Queen Coach Stephen Sloan said. “The offensive line was opening up holes. He was all over the field. He made the plays when they were there.”
Sloan, in his first year as the Leopards’ coach, moved Earney (344 yards and 4 touchdowns on 39 carries this season) from wide receiver to running back before the season because of an offensive scheme switch from the Pistol to a proset.
“We wanted to get him more touches,” Sloan said. “He can make moves in the field. He’s an exceptional open-field runner. He can make guys miss. He steps up at game time.”
De Queen (1-1) defeated Nashville for the first time since 2011.
“It was a shot in the arm for the kids and the community,” Sloan said.
“It gave the kids a lot of confidence going forward that they can have some success.”
The Leopards travel to Poteau, Okla., on Friday.