Badgers dominate Lumberjacks in Class 4A title rematch

WARREN — Arkadelphia senior kicker Gabe Goodman was the star of the show for the Badgers Friday as they defeated the Warren Lumberjacks, 41-14, at Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium.

Goodman kicked off seven times for seven touchbacks, was 2-for-2 on field goals with the longest 26 yards and was 5-for-5 on point-after attempts.

The Badgers (7-5) had a strong showing in all aspects of the game, but their defense was prominent early, keeping Warren (9-2) from getting a first down in its first two possessions while the Badgers converted all five of its possessions in the first half for points.

Zion Hatley carried the ball in from the 6-yard line to put the Badgers on the scoreboard first with 8:50 left in the opening quarter after Arkadelphia’s defense allowed just seven yards for Warren in its first possession.

The second possession by the Lumberjacks netted zero yards before the Badgers took over at the Warren 47. Three plays later, the Badgers were in the end zone again, this time with quarterback Cannon Turner carrying it in from the two to make it 14-0 with 2:38 left in the first quarter after Goodman’s kick.

Warren made its first stop against the Badger offense on its third possession, forcing Goodman to kick his first field goal of the night, a 20-yard attempt, to make it 17-0.

By the break, the Badgers had cruised to a 41-0 lead, allowing just 77 yards for the Lumberjacks.

With the mercy rule in effect, the Lumberjacks managed to score their first touchdown of the night with 6:00 left in the third quarter. Quarterback Jmalachi Kinnard found Cade Reep on a 13-yard pass for the end zone to pull within 41-7 after a kick by Jesus Tinoco.

Kinnard ran the ball in from the 2-yard line with 2:35 left in the game. Another kick by Tinoco set the final.

Turner ended the night with two completions on five passes for 57 yards while rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts. Zion Hatley, who did not take the field in the second half, had 20 carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns to lead all carriers.

Kinnard was 11-for-21 passing for 160 yards with one touchdown while rushing 13 times for 73 yards and a score. Reep led the receivers’ corps with three catches for 53

yards and a touchdown, and Davante Smith had three catches for 51 yards.

The Badgers will travel to Stuttgart on Friday (9-1) after the Ricebirds defeated Dardanelle, 21-13.