Fouke starts with victory

MAGNOLIA, Ark.—Fouke got defensive in its first appearance in the Hootens Arkansas Kickoff Classic.

The Panthers used three interceptions to score 14 points—and prevent another seven—and ran roughshod over Parkers Chapel during a 26-21 victory Monday to open the season at SAU’s Rip Powell Field at Wilkins Stadium.

Kade Foster and Gabe Parker each scored twice for Fouke, Parker hauling in a 40-yard TD reception from Hunter Lansdell and taking an interception back 64 yards for another.

Foster had a pair of short runs to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Chance Crabtree rushed 12 times for 91 yards for Fouke, Trenton Crabtree had 17 carries for 67 yards and Braden Larey added seven for 45, most coming late to allow the Panthers to run out the clock.

Fouke had 308 yards of total offense with 48 rushes for 216 yards. Parkers Chapel had 287 yards of offense—159 coming through the air.

Quarterback Caleb Jacobs threw three TDs and three picks.

Aric Avila had a pair of interceptions for the Panther defense in the first half, the first to set up Fouke’s initial score and the second to thwart the Trojans’ first scoring opportunity.

Following Avila’s interception with 6:46 left in the first quarter ended Parkers Chapel’s second possession, and six plays later Foster was darting into the end zone with 4:00 left in the first.

Lansdell escaped a sack and connected with tight end Adam Self for a 30-yard gain to get the ball inside the Trojan 30, and Chance Crabtree’s 24-yard scamper set up Foster’s TD.

Parkers Chapel managed just one first down on its ensuing drive before a 15-yard punt gave Fouke the ball at the PC 42.

Chance Crabtree raced 18 yards on fourth-and-15 to keep the Panther drive alive, and it took 13 plays before Foster covered less than a yard for his second score, this one with 8:14 left in the first half.

Tresten Thrasher’s PAT made it 14-0.

The Trojans marched 69 yards to the Fouke 3, when Avila picked off a pass at the goal line and brought it back 10 yards. Three plays later, Parkers Chapel safety Hunter Palculict made a diving interception at the 26 to get the ball back for the Trojans.

Jacobs connected with Amari Bell for a 26-yard strike to cut PC’s deficit to 14-7 with 3:30 left in the half.

The Panthers ran 32 plays for 129 yards of offense in the first half, and the Trojans had 27 snaps for 108 yards of offense.