’HAWKS: Journey to Booneville to take on Bearcats again for quarterfinals
Reyes had a big night handling kick off duties, booming all six of his kickoffs into the end zone to prevent any runback attempt by the Lions’ speedy return men.
Hamburg got the ball to start the second half but couldn’t get out of their own side of the field, having to punt from their own 37. Two plays later saw the ’Hawks put the game away when Winn scrambled for 14 yards followed by a short pass to Pickthall with the hard-running senior motoring down the field 46 yards to paydirt. With 7:38 left in the third period, the ’Hawks were drawing close to the Mercy Rule.
On the Lions’ fourth play of their next series, a crowd of Blackhawks defenders buried the Lion ball carrier with the tailback coughing up the ball. The ’Hawks recovered on the Hamburg 27 and two Winn runs later, the ’Hawks were back on the scoreboard. Winn slashed for 20 to the 7-yard line, and two plays later, he darted through the line to score what would be the ’Hawks’ final touchdown. Green split the uprights again and with 5:18 left in the third quarter, the ’Hawks were inexorably ahead 37-0.
At this point, Pea Ridge reserves flooded into the game. Just before the end of the third quarter, Hamburg finally crossed midfield to enter Pea Ridge territory. The Lions had not been past midfield since the first play of the second quarter. The Lions managed to put together a 12-play scoring march that culminated with a 16-yard scoring pass to set the final score at 37-7 with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Class of 2018 recorded their 35th career victory, breaking the school mark of 34 set by the Class of 2017 last season. The Class of ’17 finished with a 34-6 mark with the Class of ’18 currently holding a 35-6 mark.
The ’Hawks now join seven other Arkansas 4A schools in the quarterfinals with the ’Hawks making their second journey to Booneville this season. Ironically, the the ’Hawks played Booneville the game after playing Hamburg to open the season. That game was on only three days rest but the ’Hawks prevailed 2919, coming from behind late.
Booneville beat Nashville 24-21 on a last-minute field goal to earn the home game with Pea Ridge. Prairie Grove also earned a trip to the quarterfinals, coming from behind to whip Stuttgart 24-14. The Tigers
will be playing at Warren against the defending state champions.
Warren crushed Ozark 49-14 in their second round match.
The 7-4A champ Robinson disposed of Dardanelle 42-14 to earn the right to face the 3-4A champ Gosnell Pirates. Gosnell beat Heber
Springs 37-7 in their game.
If the ’Hawks can get past Booneville one more time, they will play the winner of the Ashdown/Arkadelphia matchup. Ashdown beat Pocahontas 32-14 with Arkadelphia winning over Batesville Southside 42-8. The ’Hawks next game would be the semifinals and that would be held in Pea Ridge.