Booneville edges off Glen Rose in state quarterfinals round
BOONEVILLE — A 3A powerhouse match-up Friday resulted in the “Mighty” Glen Rose Beavers’ season on the gridiron coming to an end to No. 1 seed Booneville Bearcats 4921 Friday in the 3A State Playoff Quarterfinals at Doug Scheel Field at Bearcat Stadium.
The Beavers kept the contest close in the first half, with the Bearcats taking a 14-7 lead to end first quarter action. With two touchdown trips by the Bearcats in the second, the Beavers’ playmaker Conner Taylor kept his team in the contest for his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter. But at halftime, the Bearcats led Glen Rose, 28-14. In the second half, the Bearcats managed three end zone trips that held them through to secure a 28-point victory—ending the Beavers’ season of destruction on the gridiron in the 3A state quarterfinals.
Dalton Taylor scored Glen Rose’s lone touchdown run in the second half. For the game, Dalton Taylor led the ground attack for the Beavers with 126 yards rushing with a touchdown. Heath Ballance racked up 6 yards rushing while other Taylor duo Conner Taylor had 36 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Quarterback Rein Bland completed 15 of 26 passes for 196 yards while Draven McSpadden went 1-for-1 passing for 36 yards. Conner Taylor led the Beavers receiving core with 5 receptions for 112 yards— Tagg Haynes had 7 receptions for 81 yards and Dalton Taylor, and Lane Franks each had receptions apiece.
Franks finished with 24 yards receiving while Dalton Taylor accounted for 4 yards receiving. The Beavers finish the season 9-3 overall but continue to keep their long tradition as playoff contenders as a 3A powerhouse football program under the direction of veteran head coach Mark Kehner.
Despite a tough season ending loss, the Beavers completed another plus .500 winning year on the gridiron to finish second in the 5-3A Conference with one defeat in league play—to No. 1 ranked Prescott, finishing conference runner-up for season 2021.