Badgers top Sand Lizards, in first semifinals since 1987

ARKADELPHIA 21, DARDANELLE 14

DARDANELLE — Senior tailback Nathan Jones’ 4-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter lifted Arkadelphia to a 21-14 upset victory over previously unbeaten Dardanelle in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs on a raw, rainy Friday night at Keenan Field.

Arkadelphia (8-5) advances to a semifinal date next week at Prairie Grove.

It’s the first time the Badgers have reached the semifinals since 1987, when the late John Outlaw’s final Arkadelphia team finished 14-0, won the Class AAA state championship, was ranked No. 1 overall and No. 22 nationally in the final USA Today Super 25 (a first for an Arkansas team).

Dardanelle (12-1) was denied a second consecutive trip to the semifinals.

The Sand Lizards were eliminated 17-16 at home in last year’s semifinals by eventual state champion Warren.

Dardanelle had outscored its first 12 opponents a combined 543-115 this fall, but was throttled by Arkadelphia’s tough defense and treacherous field conditions.

“Hats off to Arkadelphia,” Dardanelle Coach Josh Price said. “They just whipped us. I had no answer for what they were doing on defense, and we allowed weather to be a factor and they did not. They deserved to win.”

Trailing 21-14, Dardanelle’s final possession began at its 40 with 3:20 remaining.

An 11-yard run to the Arkadelphia 49 by senior utility back Chris Kershner resulted in Dardanelle’s second first down of the second half at 3:10.

The Sand Lizards had fourth and 2 at the 18, but were stopped short of a first down on a running play with 22 seconds remaining.

The defensive stand allowed the Badgers, a No. 4 playoff seed, to secure their fifth consecutive victory.

“I always believe we’re going to win the game before we play the game,” said Badgers Coach J.R. Eldridge, whose teams had reached the quarterfinals the previous two seasons. “It’s been a tough road to get here. We tell our team: ‘Never give up, because at the exact place and time you give up, the tide will turn.’ ”

The teams were tied 14-14 at halftime.

Jones’ game-winning touchdown run with one minute left in the third quarter capped an 11-play, 79-yard drive.

Jones scored one play after senior quarterback Jeff Blake, on fourth and 5 from the Dardanelle 18, completed a 14-yard pass.

Blake gave Arkadelphia the lead, 14-7, on a 1-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter.

Junior tailback Tajhan McKenzie scored Arkadelphia’s first touchdown on a 5-yard run with 7:26 left in the first quarter.

Kershner had given the Sand Lizards a 7-0 lead on a 52-yard run with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

Dardanelle made it 14-14 at halftime when sophomore quarterback Elyas Carter threw a 58-yard touchdown pass with 8:23 left in the second quarter.

PRAIRIE GROVE 50, STAR CITY 21

PRAIRIE GROVE — Blake Faulk had 14 carries for 250 yards and scored 4 touchdowns to lead Prairie Grove (12-2) past Star City (9-4) and into the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

Faulk scored on runs of 50, 7, 28 and 48 yards as the Tigers piled up 398 yards rushing.

Prairie Grove won its 12th consecutive game.

Tye Brown ran for two touchdowns for Star City, scoring on runs of 1 and 6 yards.