Bailey delivers on both sides of the ball for Alma

Three touchdowns from Grayson Bailey wasn’t enough for Alma against Forrest City.

The Airedales needed more and Bailey delivered with the game’s biggest play on defense.

Bailey intercepted a pass with 27 seconds left to preserve a 34-33 victory for Alma over Forrest City in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The victory earned the Airedales (56) a second-round matchup with White Hall (7-4).

Alma took a 34-33 lead over Forrest City following a 1-yard touchdown by Landon Blair and an extra-point

from placekicker Olof Olsson with 49 seconds remaining. Forrest City wasn’t through and the Mustangs crossed midfield before Bailey intercepted a pass that secured the win for the Airedales, who continue their turnaround from an 0-5 start.

“That was a huge play,” Alma coach Doug Loughridge said of Bailey, a three-year starter. “They were driving. He stepped in front

of the pass and sealed the victory.”

Alma was in position for the win after a strong offensive performance by Bailey, who carried six times for 80 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Blair. The senior receiver and defensive back was equally effective on defense with 12 solo tackles, including a sack, and an interception.

For his effort, Bailey is the

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Player of the Game.

“Grayson ran it, he caught it, he was big on special teams, and he was our leading tackler,” Loughridge said. “He made plays all over the field.”

Alma was a road underdog against Forrest City (8-3), the No. 2 team from the 5A-East Conference. The reward for Alma is a home game against White Hall, which shut out Lake Hamilton 35-0 in a first-round game.

White Hall is road-tested after playing in the same 5A-Central Conference as Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy, the top two teams in Class 5A. It’s another opportunity for Alma, which was eliminated in the first round last year by Pulaski Academy.

Bailey