Vilonia owns Harrison in third quarter, closes in on playoff berth

HARRISON — Vilonia scored three touchdowns in the third quarter Friday night on its way to a 31-20 victory over Harrison in a rainy 5A-West Conference matchup at F.S. Garrison Stadium.

The victory put Vilonia (5-4, 3-3) back in contention for a playoff berth. The Eagles are tied with the Goblins (4-5, 3-3) for the fourth and final playoff spot from the 5A-West, and both teams can advance with victories next week.

Junior quarterback Luke Gordon completed 24 of 35 passes for 274 yards and led Vilonia with 50 yards on 13 carries. He ran for two touchdowns and passed for another as Vilonia piled up 454 total yards, including 180 rushing.

Harrison took the opening kickoff and drove 61 yards on nine running plays in just more than three minutes. Sophomore quarterback Noah Ditmanson capped it with a 12-yard run for a 7:0 lead.

Gordon’s 11-yard run at the 5:22 mark to tie the game at 7-7.

Canyon Willard returned the ensuing kickoff to the Vilonia 42, and four plays later the Goblins faced first and goal at the 3. Two runs by Kanon Kirkland moved the ball to the 1, but Ditmanson was stopped cold on fourth and goal.

Vilonia took advantage of a turnover by the Goblins for its next points, getting a 37-yard field goal from Bryce Garrison for a 10-7 lead with 7:41 left in the half.

Harrison tied it 10-10 going into halftime thanks to a 27-yard field goal by Micah Ford with 3.6 seconds left in the half.

The Eagles took five plays to go 65 yards for a 17-10 lead in the third quarter, with Wade Richards capping the drive with a 20-yard.

After forcing a Harrison punt, Vilonia drove 62 yards in seven plays for its next score with Gordon throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Blaine Norman for a 24-10 with 7:34 left in the third quarter.

Vilonia added its final touchdown just before the end of the third when Gordon capped a short 39-yard drive with a 2-yard run to make it 31-10.

— Scott McDonald