CAC drops Newport, wins conference title
Central Arkansas Christian Coach Tommy Shoemaker was expecting his team to be playing Friday night to set up a winner-take-all game next week for the 2-4A Conference championship.
Shoemaker and his Mustangs got to celebrate a week early.
Braylon Harris ran for three touchdowns, two in the second half, and CAC held Newport scoreless until the final minutes of a 35-7 victory Friday night at Mustang Mountain.
The victory, coupled with Stuttgart’s loss to Lonoke, allowed CAC to clinch the outright 2-4A title instead of having to play for it next week at Stuttgart. Shoemaker said he doesn’t mind that Friday’s events stripped next week of its suspense.
“We’ll take the conference championship,” Shoemaker said. “I think it’s only the fourth one in our school’s history. I’m really proud of them because they’ve overachieved all year. That’s the kind of kids they are.”
The game wasn’t the most polished CAC (8-1, 6-0) has played all season. Harris rushed for 104 yards and touchdowns of 1, 1 and 2 yards on 18 carries and CAC’s defense held Newport (1-8, 1-5) to minus-2 yards rushing, 94 yards total and without a touchdown until Ben Collier’s 6-yard run with 3:15 left in the game.
The bulk of Harris’ yards, two of his touchdowns and Kamryn Vick’s 33-yard touchdown run came in the second half following a sloppy first two quarters.
CAC led 14-0 at halftime, scoring on Noah Evans’ 12yard pass to Cade Huckaby that was set up by a shanked punt. Harris’ 1-yard run capped a 45-yard drive set up by another poor punt. The Mustangs’ other drives ended with two punts, two missed field goals and a fumble.
Shoemaker said he wasn’t sure if his players were looking ahead to next week’s Stuttgart game.
“Its hard to know. Kids are kids, and they know what the deal is,” Shoemaker said. “So, I don’t know, but either way, you’ve got to be ready to play.”
Newport Coach Mark Hindsey said he was pleased with the first half despite the Greyhounds being held to 76 yards the first two quarters. The Greyhounds forced a CAC punt to start the third quarter, but their first drive produced 5 yards and the ensuing punt netted 11 yards. The Mustangs set up at the Greyhounds’ 29 and six plays later Harris took a direct snap 1 yard for a score to go up 210. CAC’s next drive went 80 yards and was capped by Harris’ 2-yard run that made it 28-0 with 10:59 left.
CAC gained 214 of its 322 yards in the second half.
“I knew we were going to wear down,” Hindsey said. “We have kids going both ways. I knew we were going to wear down and I think that’s what you saw at the start of the fourth quarter.”
Hindsey was confused a bit when CAC attempted and recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter and ahead 28-0. CAC started the ensuing drive on Newport’s 42 and three plays later Vick’s 33-yard run around the right end made it 35-0 to start the Arkansas Activities Association sportsmanship running clock.
“I don’t see the reason for it,” Hindsey said. “But, different strokes for different folks.”
Shoemaker said he wanted a squib kick, not an onside attempt.
“He just missed it twice,” Shoemaker said. “I don’t like it because it makes us look like we’re trying to run up the score and that’s not what we’re doing. No. We absolutely were not trying to do that.”
LONOKE 34, STUTTGART 7
LONOKE — Xavier Hodge rushed for 118 yards on 26 carries and Justin Madows had two touchdown receptions as Lonoke (4-5, 2-4) beat Stuttgart (5-4, 4-2) in 2-4A Conference play.
Casey Martin also scored a touchdown for Lonoke, which finished with 292 yards rushing.
1-4A
SHILOH CHRISTIAN 33, GRAVETTE 21
GRAVETTE — John Marcus Carruthers ran for two touchdowns and Shiloh Christian (6-2, 5-1 1-4A) turned two Gravette turnovers into touchdowns on its way to a victory over the Lions (6-3, 4-2).
Carruthers scored on runs of 6 and 14 yards. Connor Reece and Broc Berus had 30-yard touchdown runs for the Saints.
3-4A
GOSNELL 38, JONESBORO WESTSIDE 8
JONESBORO — Carlos Blackmon had 14 carries for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns to help lift Gosnell (7-1, 5-1 3-4A) over Jonesboro Westside (3-6, 3-3).
Brandon Partee added 6 carries for 59 yards and 2 more touchdowns for the Pirates.
4-4A
BAPTIST PREP 35, OZARK 7
OZARK — Chad McGonigal returned two interceptions for touchdowns as Baptist Prep (3-6, 2-4) defeated Ozark (3-6, 2-4) in a 4-4A Conference game.
McGonigal also caught a touchdown pass from brother Cory McGonigal, who also had touchdown throws to Payne Warren and Trevor Toney.
Chad McGonigal, Tyler Holmes and Josiah Williamson also had interceptions for Baptist Prep.
Ozark scored a touchdown with 4 seconds left in the first half and on a safety in the fourth quarter.
8-4A
PINE BLUF DOLLARWAY 16, CROSSETT 14
PINE BLUFF — Joshua Brown made a tackle in the end zone for a safety as Pine Bluff Dollarway (6-3, 4-2) edged Crossett (6-3, 3-3) in an 8-4A Conference game.
Dollarway’s touchdowns came when Xavier Frazier scored on a 2-yard run and Markell Scott ran 7 yards for a score.
Kendrick Hunter had a 71-yard run, 2 receptions for 61 yards and an interception. Jaylon Smith led Dollarway with 12 tackles.
STAR CITY — Tye Brown rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another as Star City (6-3, 4-2 8-4A) beat DeWitt (2-7, 0-6).
Brown had 65 yards on six carries. He scored on runs of 2 and 30 yards, both in the second half. Brown threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Austin Powell in the third quarter.
Blake Wynn had a 4-yard touchdown run and Jaylen Mallet added a 1-yard run.
5-2A
CONWAY CHRISTIAN 27, MAGNET COVE 14
MAGNET COVE — Jakob Henry completed 24 of 36 passes for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns as Conway Christian (6-3, 5-1 5-2A) beat Magnet Cove (3-6, 3-3).
Henry threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Brendan Camp and 4 yards to Seth Smith. Smith finished with 14 catches for 144 yards and 1 touchdown.
Clayton Dent rushed for 60 yards and a 2-yard touchdown.
Bennett Pascoe returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown for Conway Christian.