Gators survive in OT

FOREMAN, Ark.— Foreman’s hope of a repeat state football championship is still alive.

The defending Class 2A state champion Gators and Earle finished in a 20-20 deadlock at the end of regulation in their state quarterfinal football playoff Friday night at Foreman’s Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Kyren Batey scored a touchdown and 2-point conversion in overtime as the host Gators escaped with a 28-26 victory over feisty Earle.

In the overtime period, Earle took the lead 26-20 by scoring a touchdown on a desperation fourth-and-17 play. The Bulldogs then were stopped short on their 2-point conversion, a quarterback sweep.

Foreman answered by scoring a touchdown on Batey’s 10-yard run to tie the score at 26-all. The Gators went for 2, with Batey scoring the game-winning points on his 3-yard run.

The Gators (10-1) advance to next Friday’s semifinals at home against Junction City (10-2). Junction City crushed Des Arc, 55-13, Friday.

In the other semifinal, Mount Ida (11-2), which hung on for a 50-48 win over Conway Christian, will travel to Hazen (12-0), which eliminated Hampton, 30-7. Earle finishes its season at 9-4.

Batey finished with 188 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Chase Boyd scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of 1 and 4 yards and finished with 42 yards rushing on the night. Robbie Smith added 82 yards on only six carries.

The winning 2-point conversion was Foreman’s second on the night. They trailed 20-14 before Batey scored his first touchdown of the night with about a minute left in the game. Isaac Carver’s then ran for the tying conversion run to tie the score at 20-all.