Watson Chapel takes advantage

PINE BLUFF — Hot Springs ran more plays, but Watson Chapel had more points.

Sophomore quarterback Jakobi Jackson threw two touchdown passes, including the game winner early in the third quarter, as Watson Chapel edged defending 5A-South champion Hot Springs 14-7 in the conference opener Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.

Watson Chapel (1-3) snapped a five-game losing streak. Hot Springs (3-1) finished with a 7744 advantage in total plays, but lost three fumbles and missed multiple scoring opportunities at point-blank range.

Standout senior running back Cleo Floyd, who had more than 300 all-purpose yards in last year’s 24-7 victory over Watson Chapel, was limited physically in the second half Friday night with an injury to his lower right leg suffered early in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-7, the Trojans’ last gasp ended when a fourthdown pass from the Wildcats’ 28 bounced off Floyd’s hands into the end zone with 1:42 remaining in the game.

Hot Springs couldn’t score from the Watson Chapel 1 on its previous possession and lost a fumble at the goal line (resulting in a touchback) to open the game.

The Trojans finished with 306 total yards, including 275 rushing on a staggering 72 attempts.

Jackson completed 7 of 22 passes for 152 yards.

The Wildcats finished with 297 total yards.

“The key was we didn’t have any turnovers,” Watson Chapel Coach Jared Dutton said. “That’s really hurt us the last few weeks.”

Hot Springs senior tailback Kayvon Ward ran 33 times for 143 yards. Junior quarterback Korey Wasson ran 21 times for 63 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown with 6:14 left in the first.