Running back keeps momentum going for Springdale Har-Ber

RUSSELLVILLE — Springdale Har-Ber junior running back Max Pena provided just the spark the team needed after losing its starting quarterback early in the second half Friday night.

Pena was the main option on offense and helped put the game away after the break scoring two second-half touchdowns in a 27-7 Har-Ber victory against Russellville at Cyclone Stadium.

“I thought he ran the ball really hard and the offensive line got a great push,” HarBer coach Chris Wood said. “We had the movement up front, and we ran downhill. I was very happy with our running game.”

Pena finished with 160 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries for Har-Ber. He took his first touch of the second half for a 43-yard score to provide for the offense.

Har-Ber junior quarterback Blaise Wittschen left the game with a concussion on the initial drive of the second half after a strong first half. Wittschen finished seven of 13 passing for 120 yards with two touchdowns.

“I thought he did a really nice job for us,” Wood said. “He made some great throws and ran the ball really hard. I hate that he got banged up and missed the second half. He just has that grit and played well.”

Har-Ber (1-1) was able to take a 14-7 lead heading into the break taking advantage of field position on its last drive before halftime.

Hunter Wood returned a punt down to the opposing 27, and he helped take the lead after that catching a 13-yard pass from Wittschen with just 25 seconds left in the second quarter.

Russellville (1-1) was able get the initial score of the game in the second quarter. Caleb Gray blocked a punt and Daniel Espinoza recovered the ball in the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 7:52 left before the break.

Har-Ber was able to bounce back after that on its next possession, using an 80-yard scoring drive to tie the game. Wittschen capped it with a 16-yard pass to Nick Buchanan.

Both offenses had opportunities

to score early in the game, but turnovers ended those scoring threats. Russellville was able to drive to the opposing 17 and 35 before fumbling twice. Har-Ber got down to the opposing 12 before fumbling as well.

“Early on we moved it,” Russellville coach Jeff Weaver said. “The two big fumbles really got us pressing a little bit. I’m so proud of our defense with the performance they gave. Everything we did tonight is fixable. I think we just got away with some stuff last week and that got exposed this week.”

Har-Ber was able to add to its lead in the third quarter with a key turnover on downs. Russellville was sacked on a fourth-and-9 play near midfield.

It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to take advantage of the opportunity, as Pena scored on the next play with a 43-yard run to extend the advantage out to 20-7 in the third quarter.

Har-Ber’s defense also helped control the game with Cole Bowen and Buchanan intercepting passes during the victory.

“I thought our defense stepped up when they were needed,” Wood said. “We gave our defense some bad field position. But our defense made play after play to keep them out of the end zone.”

Har-Ber had not played a game in 14 days after dropping the season-opening game 50-14 against Pulaski Academy. Wood said it was good for the team to get back on the field and bounce back from that.

“We feel good after this one,” Wood said. “It had been a while since we last played. You want it for the kids. They have had adversity. The seniors and juniors have stuck together and stayed the course. I’m glad for them to get this under their belt.”

Russellville was led by quarterback Rhett Adkins, who finished 12 of 25 passing for 171 yards. Brady Burnett caught five passes for 87 yards for the Cyclones.