Blue Devils put game in hands of hearty Holmes

JONESBORO — Senior Guren Holmes rushed 37 times for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead West Memphis to a 32-17 victory over Jonesboro.

It was Holmes’ second 200yard game in three weeks. Two weeks earlier he rushed for 206 yards on 38 carries in a victory over Searcy.

“[Holmes] is a warrior,” West Memphis Coach Billy Elmore said. “He’s got a little bit of a banged-up knee, but he works through it. It’s not going to get any better, and he knows that. He’s just a tough kid.”

West Memphis (7-0, 4-0 6A-East) never trailed, and built a 19-0 halftime lead despite twice driving inside the Jonesboro 5 without scoring.

Quarterback Michael Troxler, who was 5 of 10 passing for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns, tossed a 20-yard scoring pass to Steven Stone with 5:46 to play in the first quarter to give West Memphis a 7-0 lead.

Holmes’ first touchdown, from 3 yards out late in the second quarter, made it 13-0 and then Troxler hit Amaruius Stinnett for a 22-yard touchdown pass to account for the first-half scoring.

Jonesboro quarterback A.J. Aycock completed 13 of 23 passes for 260 yards, the Hurricane ground game was held 72 yards. Jonesboro rushed for 80 first-half yards, but lost 8 yards in the second half.

Blue Devils defensive end Verndarious Hodges compiled four sacks on the night.

Jonesboro (4-3, 2-2) got within 25-14 in the fourth quarter after a 62-yard touchdown pass from Aycock to Daishon Fountain with 9:24 to play.

JACKSONVILLE 38, LITTLE ROCK HALL 6

Shawn Ellis ran for three first-half touchdowns to give Jacksonville (3-4, 2-2 6A-East) a 35-6 halftime lead over Little Rock Hall (1-6, 0-4).

Josh Huber added a 22-yard field goal in the second half for the Titans.

Jacksonville’s Armani Haynes had a second-quarter touchdown reception.