Fort Smith Southside holds off Conway rally

FORT SMITH – The Fort Smith Southside defense did not give up the big play in the fourth quarter which was enough to hold off Conway 23-20 in a 7A-Central opener Friday night at Rowland Stadium.

The Mavericks (2-2, 1-0 7A-Central) only allowed one third-down conversion by the Wampus Cats (0-4, 0-1) in the final quarter with the longest play a 14-yard pass play on third-and-long.

In the final 12 minutes, the Mavericks pinned the Wampus Cats back in their own territory as Conway never got past its 37.

“Our defense in the fourth quarter was outstanding,” Southside coach Jeff Williams said. “When we got them in third-down situations, we were able to get to the passer. We were able to get off the field in the second half. We did a good job.

“Bottom line it is a win and more importantly, a conference win.”

Southside had taken a 23-20 lead late in the third quarter on a 20-yard Jet sweep touchdown by receiver Brandon Ulrich, capping an 80-yard drive.

“He came through for us with the big run,” Williams said. “We had some chances with the passing game and we missed, but he came thought with the big play. He’s a good player for us.”

Williams said the penalties (11 for 93 yards) to go along with two lost first-half fumbles, one of which led to a Conway touchdown, were areas of concern moving forward.

“At one point, I didn’t think we shot ourselves in the foot … we got the shotgun out and blew the foot off,” Williams said. “We had a a lot of penalties and turnovers. But we got a win. We got Cabot next week and we need to work this week to get better.”

The Mavericks trailed 14-9 at halftime, but retook the lead on Taye Gatewood’s 2-yard run capping a 53-yard drive. The big play of the five-play drive was the first, a 34-yard pass from Graves Schmidley to David Matthews.

Conway got a fumble. Just before halftime and quickly went 44 yards in 5 plays, capped by a Parker Teague 17-yard touchdown pass to Marquis Pleasant to give the Wampus Cats a 14-9 lead.

Southside hosts Cabot next week while Conway hosts North Little Rock.