Bryant wins 22nd straight; Week 6 canceled
5 Hornets miss game due to COVID-19 quarantine
BRYANT 31, LR CATHOLIC 3
LITTLE ROCK — Though not a mercy rule game in Week 5, Bryant (5-0, 2-0) still continued its dominance against 7A Central opponents, defeating Little Rock Catholic 31-3 at War Memorial Stadium Friday night.
The win also moved the Hornets winning streak to 22 straight.
“I thought we played really well,” said Head Coach Buck James. “To hold that team to 3 points is something to be proud of. (With nearly 400 yards of offense) I am proud of
the way we played tonight. (Catholic) is a good football team and they are going to win a lot of games this year.”
The Rockets (2-3, 0-2) began the contest behind the 8-ball as the Hornets marched 71 yards on eight plays to take a 7-0 lead with 10:34 to go in the opening quarter. Senior quarterback Austin Ledbetter capped the series with a 17-yard TD strike to running back Tanner Anderson for the touchdown.
After forcing a second straight punt on the Rockets, Bryant wasted little time again, driving 69 yards on five straight completions from Ledbetter for another TD — a Ledbetter to Jordan Knox hookup from 23 yards away.
Ledbetter would complete eight straight passes before throwing an incompletion during the stretch.
With Catholic struggling to get anything going, one of the few miscues on Bryant’s side creeped in on the Hornets third drive as Ledbetter was picked off after a tipped pass found the belly of a defender.
Catholic would turn the ball over on downs four plays later.
Bryant stumbled a bit as the game progressed, while the Rockets were able to capitalize with their only points of the game near the midway point of the second quarter as they nailed a 26-yard field goal to make it 14-3 Bryant.
But the Hornets were back at it a short time later, scoring on a 13-yard TD pass from Ledbetter to Cory Nichols with 1:10 to go in the half. The TD strike capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive by Bryant as the Hornets led 21-3 heading to the break.
The Rockets would continue to struggle offensively to begin the second half, turning the ball over on downs and punting on their first two drives.
Bryant would punt as well, but quickly tacked on its final TD of the game a series later, this time a Ledbetter-to-Knox connection again from 9 yards away with 6:19 left in the third. Bryant would lead 28-3.
Brock Funk, who is usually money every time he is called upon, missed a rare 26-yard field goal try later in the game, but would redeem himself as he put a 29-yard boot through the uprights a drive later to give his team the 31-3 lead and eventual final.
Ledbetter would finish his stellar night 15 of 25 for 185 yards and four scores.
James said his quarterback played well, especially finding his receivers against eight Rockets dropping into coverage most of the night.
“They were either dropping eight or bringing eight every time,” James said. “Austin did a good job of finding the window and our offensive line did a great job protecting him.”
On the ground, Bryant torched the Rockets as Anderson flew for 148 yards on 14 carries, followed by
125 yards on 15 touches from Xavier Foote.
Receiving, sure-handed target Hayden Schrader led with five receptions for 67 yards. Knox would end the night with two catches and 32 yards with both going for scores.
As a team, Bryant would outgain Catholic 359-199.
Bryant’s defense also wreaked havoc on Catholic’s passing game, sacking the quarterback five times for a minus 24-yard showing on the night.
Defensive lineman Brayden Godwin would contribute with two sacks of his own, followed by a big 15-yard loss late by Jaylon Russ for the Hornets.
According to Bryant School District Spokesman Devin Sherrill, five Hornets missed Friday’s contest due to a 14-day quarantine as a result of possible COVID-19 exposure.
Sherrill confirmed late Friday that none of the athletes have tested positive at this time.
James also added that Week 6’s contest against Little Rock Central has been canceled due to COVID-19, but said his team is willing to play anyone who wants to show up.
James said he would like a home game, but will take what he can get.
It is unknown at this time if the Hornets will suit up in Week 6. More will be reported as it becomes available.