CAC submits after full Nelson applied

HEBER SPRINGS 52, CAC 21

Heber Springs running back Blaze Nelson rushed 20 times for 207 yards and scored 3 touchdowns, and Rocky Finney had two interceptions as the Panthers used a punishing ground game and an opportunistic defense for a 52-21 victory over Central Arkansas Christian on Friday on Mustang Mountain.

The Panthers (2-4, 2-1 2-4A) took advantage of six turnovers by the Mustangs (3-3, 2-1), who fumbled three times and had an equal number of interceptions.

“We knew we had it in us,” Heber Springs Coach Darren Gowen said. “We have scored a lot of points, and we lost three games by seven points.

CAC got off to a bad start when running back Krishaun Watson fumbled on the first snap of the game.

Heber Springs needed only five plays, going 48 yards for the score. Nelson scored on a 3-yard run, but the big play was a 41-yard pass from quarterback Adam Martin to Finney to the CAC 3.

CAC quarterback Palmer Gilbrech completed three passes on a 10-play drive — good for 31 yards to Gentry Miller, 14 yards to Brock Hendrix and another to Hendrix good for 20 yards and a touchdown.

When the Panthers got the ball back, Nelson carried the ball four times for 35 yards to end the quarter.

Heber Springs opened the second quarter with Martin passing 25 yards to Dalton Hall, but the drive stalled and the Panthers settled for a 38-yard field goal by Julian Cameron.

CAC went on another 10-play drive, this time scoring on a 14-yard run by Blake Smith and the Mustangs last lead of the night at 14-10 with 6:54 left in the first half.

The Panthers needed seven plays to score on a pass from Martin to Finney for 39 yards and a 17-14 lead.

On CAC’s next drive, Gilbrech was intercepted by Finney, who returned the ball 55 yards. Nelson scored from 3 yards out with 49 seconds left in the second quarter and a 24-14 lead at the half.

Heber Springs took the second-half kickoff and moved 80 yards in five plays, the touchdown coming on a 29-yard run by Hall.