Gravette outlasts Ozark

GRAVETTE – Roberto Barrios coaxed Gravette’s point-after attempt just through the goalposts in overtime Friday, giving the Lions a 21-20 win against Ozark in the season opener for both 4A schools.

Tied at 14 at the end of regulation, Ozark got the ball first from the 10-yard line in overtime. Hayden Atkinson ran it in untouched on the first play, but the extra point attempt failed, leaving the door open for Gravette.

The Lions answered on the fourth play of their possession when Kilby Roberts connected with Brady Moorman in tight coverage from 14 yards out to tie it up. The Lions erupted in celebration after Barrios’ kick cleared the crossbar.

“It was two evenly match teams,” said Gravette coach Bill Harrelson. “Both teams played hard and we got a kick through that they didn’t. That was the difference.”

The game-tying catch was the eleventh of the game for Moorman, who also had a pair of second-quarter interceptions in his first start on defense for Gravette. Moorman would have secured the touchdown on his previous catch, but the play was nullified on a penalty.

Following a scoreless third quarter, both teams began to find an offensive rhythm. Gravette constructed an 80-yard drive that ate up roughly half of the fourth quarter. Roberts hit Austin O’Brien for a 10-yard touchdown to give the Lions a shortlived lead.

Less than 15 seconds later, Ozark’s Dawson Dietz hit Eddie Graham in stride across the middle for a 66- yard touchdown, knotting the score at 14-all.

“We played well in the second half, but there were a few missed opportunities,” said Ozark coach Jeremie Burns. “It was in our hands. We’ll get back to work on Monday.”