Interception return carries Mavericks
7A-CENTRAL FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 49, LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL 16
FORT SMITH — After watching teams close out the first half with a score, Fort Smith Southside defensive back Jaylin Coleman was not going to let Little Rock Central do it Friday night.
Coleman picked off a pass in the end zone, then returned it 100 yards for a touchdown in the waning seconds of the second quarter to help the Mavericks pull away to a 4916 victory over the Tigers.
Southside (5-4, 3-3 7A-Central) now controls its playoff destiny. A win next week over Northside and the Mavericks will be the 7A-Central fourth seed and will host a firstround playoff game.
“We talked all year about starting fast and finishing strong,” Southside Coach Jeff Williams said. “We’re happy to get the W and now we go to Northside.”
Southside was leading 28-6 when the Tigers were driving to end the first half hoping to score and then get the ball to start the second half. With a first down at the 23, Tigers quarterback Lawson Gunn lofted a pass in the end zone that Coleman picked off. Instead of downing the ball for a touchback, Coleman took off, broke free at the 20 and got a block by Darin Davenport at midfield, then outran everyone else for the touchdown.
Coleman, who has had at least five interception returns for touchdowns over the past two years, said there was never a thought of downing the ball.
“I ran back inside looking for a hole to hit,” Coleman said. “I’m sure the coaches were yelling at me to get down, but I was looking to score.”
The Mavericks gained more than 400 yards. Ricardo Savoy rushed for 172 yards and two scores. Taye Gatewood rushed for one touchdown and threw for three more.
“We played great situational football,” Williams said. “The defense made Central work for their points and they also got some turnovers. Finally, the offense scored off of those defensive turnovers. There are a lot of positives tonight. Each week, our defense has gotten better and our football team as a whole has gotten better and better.”
Savoy’s first touchdown was a 43-yard off-tackle sprint on the game’s fifth play from scrimmage. Connor Robles made the first of seven extra-point kicks for a 7-0 Mavericks lead.
Central answered with a 57-yard, 8-play drive capped by Samuel Franklin 7-yard run midway in the first quarter. The two-point pass try failed as Southside still led 7-6.
Savoy opened the second quarter with a 36-yard touchdown run for a 14-6 Mavericks lead.
A Central fumble at midfield turned into Southside points as Gatewood hit Tyrese Solomon for a 5-yard touchdown pass and a 21-6 lead with 5:25 left in the first half.