Wynne chooses the right options
WYNNE 35, BEEBE 14
BEEBE — Quarterback Luke Chapman, taking full advantage of the Wynne triple option, scored four times and the Yellowjackets defense held Beebe to one first down in the second half, taking a 35-14 victory over the Badgers Friday night at Bro Erwin Stadium.
It could have been worse. Wynne (3-0, 5A-East) fumbled six times — losing three — and muffed one punt.
Ta’Von Hicks, who scored four touchdowns last week, went 65 yards on the Yellowjackets’ first play, but a 15-yard penalty pushed them back to the 20 and they were eventually forced to punt.
Beebe went three and out on its first possession, then Wynne’s Hicks fumbled on first down, putting the Badgers (2-1, 5A-Central) in business at the Wynne 45.
Khalil Anthony scored on a run around the left side on the first play, giving the Badgers an early lead.
Wynne started on its 20 after the kickoff, and Hicks gained 29 yards on a second down, but fumbled the ball out of bounds at the Wynne 49.
Chapman faked a run up the middle with Hicks on the next play and scored on a 51yard run around the left side, tying the game 7-7.
“We’re running the option,” Wynne Coach Van Paschal said.
“If they (the defense) don’t take the fullback, he’s going to have a big night. If they are, the quarterback’s going to have a big night. If they take both, we ought to be on the edge with a pitch.
“We thought the quarterback was going to have a big night and he did.”
Beebe started at its 24 after the kickoff and converted on a third and long, then on a fourth and short.
Quarterback C.J. Cauldwell picked up 16 on third down. Two plays later, Cauldwell tried to pass to Alex Boyce, but a pass interference penalty set the Badgers up at the Wynne 9. Cauldwell took it in from there for a 14-7 Beebe lead.
Wynne quickly tied it at 14-14 after taking over at its 20.
Three consecutive runs by Hicks put Wynne at its 37. Corey Smith picked up 43 yards on a sweep, giving Wynne a first down at the Beebe 20. Two carries by Hicks put the ball at the 1, and Chapman went over from there.
Wynne took over once the second half began.
Beebe punted, and Wynne started from the Badgers 48.
Hicks picked up 3, then Chapman, running the option to perfection, scored from 45 yards out and a 2114 edge.
The Badgers got their only first down of the second half on the next possession but turned it over on downs with 5:47 left in the quarter.
Wynne started from its 30 and ripped off four first downs, the biggest play a 22-yard run from Kris Miller on second down, putting the ball at the Beebe 6.
Chapman scored from there and the Yellowjackets opened a 28-14 lead.
Wynne fumbled twice, losing the second, on its first possession of the fourth quarter, but Beebe was forced to punt after gaining six yards on three plays.
Two Chapman runs picked up a first down, then Hicks took it up the middle for 57 yards. The point-after left Wynne with 35-14 lead and its third victory of the season.
Chapman ran the ball 10 times for 75 yards and his 4 touchdowns while Hicks had 20 carries for 210 yards.
MAUMELLE 37, MILLS 0
Maumelle (1-2) scored all of its points in the first half on the way to an easy home victory over Mills (1-2).
Junior Xavion Morgan threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to junior Evan Robinson with 10:26 left in the first quarter to open the scoring. About a minute later, sophomore Schwuann Malone returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown.
About four minutes later, junior Trey Jackson ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and junior Antavius Henderson followed with a 1-yard run.
The Hornets scored a safety and Henderson ran 9 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Hornets their final score.
Senior Daniel Wheeler was 5-for-5 on extra points.