Conway Christian Eagles fly in rarefied air

CONWAY — Holding off a second-half rally, the Conway Christian Eagles survived in a spot where they rarely have in the playoffs.

The Eagles (11-1) defeated the Mountainburg Dragons 38-26 in a second round Class 2A matchup Friday night to advance to the quarterfinals at Mount Ida next week. It is only the second time in school history Conway Christian has advanced this far.

“Our offensive and defensive line just wore them down as the game went on,’’ Eagles Coach Justin Kramer said. “We have only been this far once, and that was three years ago when they reached the semifinals. This is the best record in school history. A lot of good accomplishments for our guys.”

A 21-point second quarter built a 28-12 halftime lead for the Eagles, but Mountainburg (9-2) rallied and was a missed two-point conversion away from tying the game with 5:19 left in the third quarter.

“Our pass coverage was not real great, to be honest with you,’’ Kramer said. “But I thought our defensive line did a good job there at the end, especially putting on pressure and kinda compensating for some of that.

“Defensively, as a whole, that is such a challenge, and they are so good at what they do.”

Mountainburg quarterback Robert Roxin completed only six passes, but three of them were for touchdowns. Roxin hit Jesse Quick on a 47-yard scoring play and Caleb Jorgenson scored on a 30-yard run for the Dragons as the lead was whittled to 28-26. Roxin’s two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

From that point, the Eagles regained control. Jacob Wood scored on a 3-yard run and Bennett Ellis capped the scoring with a 22-yard field goal.

A 51-yard pass from Roxin to Conner Rogers gave the Dragons a 6-0 first-quarter lead.

The Eagles responded with a 5-yard scoring run by Wood, a 5-yard touchdown run by Luke Gates and a 25yard score from Wood to build a 21-6 lead. Ellis kicked all three extra point kicks.

Roxin and Rogers connected on a 47-yard score to trim the lead to 21-12, but Gates’ 12-yard scoring run made it 28-12 at the half.

Wood passed for 77 yards and ran for 131 more while Gates added 124 yards rushing.

EARLE 46, MINERAL SPRINGS 26

EARLE — Senior Gerry Bohanon accounted for four touchdowns for Earle (10-1), which handled Mineral Springs (5-7) at home.

Bohanon had two rushing touchdowns and threw for two more.

Senior Tavarius Thomas and junior Quinlan Allen caught Bohanon’s touchdown passes.

SALEM 37, PALESTINE-WHEATLEY 25

PALESTINE — Jordan Turner’s four touchdowns led Salem (6-5) over Palestine-Wheatley (8-3). Tristan Goodson also reached the end zone for the Greyhounds, scoring on a pass from Harrison Henley.

DANVILLE 34, RISON 32

DANVILLE — Eli Lane intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to help Danville (10-1) hang on against Rison (10-2).

Quarterback Preston Donnell led the Little Johns, throwing for two touchdowns and scoring the game-winner on a 21-yard run with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Quentin Tolbert had two scoring runs for Danville.

FOREMAN 35, BEARDEN 18

FOREMAN — Junior Kyren Batey scored all of the Gators touchdowns as Foreman (10-1) overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Bearden (7-6).

The Gators scored their first touchdown with 11 minutes to go in the second quarter on a run by Batey, putting them up 7-6. But Foreman allowed a touchdown about three minutes later and entered halftime down 12-6.

In the third quarter, Batey ran for his second touchdown to put the Gators up 14-12.

With 11 minutes to go in the game, Batey ran for his third touchdown and a 21-12 lead. About four minutes later, Batey ran 81 yards for his fourth score.

Bearden scored its final points on a pass play.

Batey ran 19 yards for a touchdown for the game’s final score

Foreman senior Sam Gamble was 5-for-5 on extra points.

MOUNT IDA 56, MARKED TREE 22

MOUNT IDA — Quarterback Cade Jackson scored three rushing touchdowns as unbeaten Mount Ida (12-0) finished off Marked Tree (8-3).

The Lions’ ground game got contributions from a number of players, with Jonathan LaGrange, Cade Helms, Dallas Weston and Bridger Farmer also reaching the end zone.

Hunter Davis recovered a fumble and ran it 45 yards for a touchdown for the Lions.

CAMDEN HG 58, EAST POINSETT COUNTY 14

CAMDEN — Xaylon Falls scored two touchdowns as Camden Harmony Grove (8-3) cruised to over East Poinsett County (8-4).

Falls scored on a 54-yard run and had a 46-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Gannon Bearden. Bearden also threw touchdown passes to Pacardo Thomas and Jordan Hicks.