Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
WR Flannigan leads Fayetteville past Cabot
FAYETTEVILLE 44, CABOT 14
FAYETTEVILLE — When the going gets tough for Fayetteville, it leans on Connor Flannigan.
The senior continued his stellar campaign Friday night and helped Fayetteville advance to the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive season in a 44-14 victory over Cabot at Harmon Field.
“I want to give all the credit to the quarterback and my offensive line,” Flannigan said. “They played maybe the best game they’ve played all year. We knew what they were going to do defensively. Our game plan worked and we were able to take advantage of some one-on-one matchups.”
Fayetteville (6-5) moves on to face Bryant for the second time this season and third year in a row in this round of the postseason.
Cabot lost a fumble on its second possession that directly led to a Fayetteville touchdown, and then an interception by Taveon Williamson early in the second quarter gave the Purple’Dogs another short field, which set up Flannigan’s first score.
His second touchdown was a 24-yarder with 2 minutes, 47 seconds remaining before halftime. It was his sixth catch of the half and he finished the night with 7 catches for 124 yards.
Running back Kameron Ingram finished as the leading Purple Dog receiver, with 3 catches for 125 yards. His 68-yard touchdown catch on a screen pass from Quinn McClain put the game away late and he ended with 166 all-purpose yards.
“It was an awesome collective effort on both sides,” Fayetteville coach Casey Dick said. “Our coordinators had awesome plans and we just played with fanatical effort in all phases. It’s really neat to see how far we’ve come. I’m happy for our kids.”
Hank Gibbs completed 12 of 23 passing for 254 yards and two touchdowns, despite throwing an interception. McClain played most of the second half and finished 7 of 12 for 184 yards.
Link Lindsey caught 5 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder from Gibbs in the first half.
The Panthers (6-5) were down to their third-string quarterback by the end of the night and couldn’t overcome three turnovers.
Even though Bryant will be a heavy favorite next week, Fayetteville isn’t heading to Saline County already defeated.
“That’s what the playoffs are all about,” Dick said. “You never know what can happen, that’s why you’ve got to show up and play.”
Flannigan is eager to get another crack at the Hornets.
“We’re peaking at the right time we feel like,” Flannigan said. “You look back when we played them earlier and it may seem like a cakewalk for Bryant. We are going to practice harder than we’ve practiced all year next week and it’s going to be a fun one.”
“You never know what can happen, that’s why you’ve got to show up and play.”
FHS coach Casey Dick
FOUR DOWNS
• Cabot coach Scott Reed won state championships as a coach at El Dorado and was a former Razorback quarterback.
• Kyler Carmack, a wide receiver for the Panthers, suffered a serious injury midway through the first half and was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for precaution. • Fayetteville hasn’t lost a firstround playoff game since 2013. • Next week Fayetteville visits Bryant in the quarterfinals.