Shiloh Christian rides Russ to conference title

PEA RIDGE — Jaret Russ scored six touchdowns for Shiloh Christian on Friday to lead the Saints to a 49-13 victory over Pea Ridge at Blackhawk Stadium.

The victory earned the Saints the 1-4A Conference title.

Shiloh Christian (9-1, 7-0) has won nine consecutive games after a season-opening loss to Texarkana. Pea Ridge (7-3, 6-1) lost its first conference game.

“That was two good football teams out there tonight,” Shiloh Christian Coach Jeff Conaway said. “We were just really confident in our team. They get better each week, so we knew if we came in and played well that this was a possibility.”

The Saints outgained the Blackhawks 437-160 in total yards. Shiloh Christian completed 17 of 25 passes for 236 yards and rushed for 201 yards on 33 carries.

“I think we are just playing at a very high level right now, and I think we showed tonight just how explosive we can be in all three phases,” Conaway added. “We have a lot of weapons on offense, and when we can distribute the ball we can be very explosive.”

Shiloh Christian needed less than two minutes to move the ball 76 yards in eight plays. Russ gave the Saints a 7-0 lead with an 11-yard run.

The Saints took advantage of an errant snap over the Pea Ridge punter’s head, recovering it at the Blackhawks’ 11. Russ again completed the drive with a 1-yard run for a 14-0 edge.

Russ hauled in a 15-yard pass from Eli Reece to make it 21-0 with 3:29 to play in the first quarter.

“I just came out here wanting it tonight,” Russ said. “I wanted a conference championship.”

The senior running back finished with 73 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns on 12 carries. He also hauled in 4 passes for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Pea Ridge found the end zone early in the second quarter when Tristin Brewer capped a nine-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-7.

Shiloh Christian reserve quarterback Jaiden Henry went 71 yards on a keeper down the left sideline to extend the lead again.

Pea Ridge mounted a 10play drive as Carson Rhine ran 4 yards to make it 28-13 with 4:06 left in the first half.