After long ride, Helena-West Helena tops Pea Ridge in overtime
CLASS 4A HELENA-WH 8, PEA RIDGE 0 (OT)
PEA RIDGE — After being held in check most of the game Friday night by a stingy Pea Ridge defense, Helena-West Helena Central’s Armonie Calhoun made the play he needed to when it counted most.
The senior quarterback cut through the right side of the line for a 6-yard touchdown run on the second play of overtime, lifting the Cougars to an 8-0 victory over the Blackhawks in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
“This was the best defense I went against all season,” an emotional Calhoun said afterward. “But I wanted it, my team wanted it, and thanks to my O-line, we got it done.
“We knew it was going to be a slugfest all night.”
After Calhoun scored, Deamonte Oliver ran in the twopoint conversion. Pea Ridge failed to reach in the end zone on its four plays from the opposing team’s 10-yard line — where each team gets the ball in overtime.
Calhoun came into the game averaging over 159 yards rushing per game — going over 100 yards eight times this season — but was held to a season-low 63 yards on 23 carries. He also completed 6 of 18 passes for 41 yards, and added a 24-yard reception near the end of regulation.
“It was frustrating not being able to do what I did all season, but I knew I just had to be patient,” he said.
The game, played in 24-degree weather, featured 12 punts, 4 fumbles and 1 interceptions. Coincidentally, both teams finished with exactly 180 yards of total offense. Pea Ridge outgained Helena-West Helena on the ground, 125-95, but the Cougars won the air battle, 85-55.
“It was a great win for us, but it was a dogfight from start to finish,” Helena-West Helena Coach Russell Smith said. “My hat goes off to Pea Ridge, because that game could have gone either way. Fortunately, we were able to pull it out at the end.”
Helena-West Helena, who won its fourth consecutive game, defeated previously unbeaten and top-ranked Warren 60-36 last week.
The Cougars had to make a 327-mile journey for Friday night’s contest.