FOOTBALL: Blackhawks completed very tough three-game non-conference schedule
way for the Hawks’ first score, cutting the lead to 19-6.
The Panthers returned the kickoff to near midfield, and six plays later, they were facing third and 4 from the Hawks’ 28. Talley then kept the ball, running it in for his third score. Talley rammed in the 2-point PAT to push the Panthers’ lead to 27-6.
The Hawks had a three and out on their next possession, punting to the Panther 3o. The Hawks’ Justin Blount sacked Talley on first down for a 6-yard loss. Siloam then marched down the field to the Hawk 13 before a string of penalties pushed the into a fourth and 22 situation on the Hawk 25. Again, the Panthers called Talley’s number and he scored again, raising the Panthers’ lead to 33-6 with 1:56 left in the half.
With time running out, the Hawks cranked up a fast-moving air attack, starting with a 22-yarder to Blair on the Siloam 42. The next pass went to Jonathan Lyons for first down on the Panther 16. A 10-yard penalty erased a 16-yard score from Dixon to Blair, but a follow up pass to sophomore Austin James, No. 80, netted 21 yards and a first down on the 5. Blair got his touchdown back with a 5-yarder into the end zone. Blair also caught the 2-point conversion from Dixon, to set the score at 33-14 with just 25 seconds left in the half. That proved to be all the time Siloam needed as a good run back on the kickoff got them into Pea Ridge territory at the 42, and on the first play, Talley ran it in for his fifth score. The PAT was stopped, leaving the score 39-14 at the break.
The second half started much like the first, with a Talley to Lashley pass netting 25 yards to the Hawk 39. On the next play, Talley broke loose to scamper the remaining 39 yards and another score. The kick was good and Siloam led 46-14.
The Hawks did not have the ball long. An 8-yard pass to Anderson got things moving but the next play resulted in a Blackhawk fumble on their own 36. The Panthers’ Patrick Church ran it in on second down for the game’s final score. The kick was again good for a 53-14 lead with 10:20 left in the third.
A 4-yard run by Morales and a 15-yard pass to Blair was all the offense the Hawks could muster the rest of the way as the Ridge boys completed their tough three-game non-conference schedule. The Hawks’ three game slate was rated the third toughest in all of 5A this fall.
Next up, Pea Ridge hosts the Alma Airedales.
Last year’s game saw the teams knotted up at 7-7, 1414, and 21-21 before Alma broke on top 28-21 late in the game. However, the Hawks scored twice after falling behind and took their opening 5A West conference debut game 35-28.