Rams’ playoff hopes totter after 14-7 loss

PINE BLUFF — Watson Chapel stopped Lakeside’s offense and almost derailed the Rams’ playoff express.

Averaging more than 43 points per conference game, the Rams were held without an offensive touchdown for only the second time in Jared McBride’s five seasons as coach and the Wildcats observed Senior Night with another defensive masterpiece, winning 14-7 Friday.

Watson Chapel (5-4, 5-1) won its fifth consecutive game after an 0-4 start, remaining tied for first place in 5A-South with Hot Springs. The Wildcats also secured their school-record seventh consecutive playoff appearance.

Meanwhile, Lakeside’s postseason hopes hang by a thread, needing to beat Hot Springs and White Hall to lose at home against De Queen, which snapped a 19-game losing streak against Magnolia. The Rams would have been eliminated if not for Hope stunning White Hall 27-20.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams (4-5, 3-3) got on the board when Tucker Pratt scooped up a fumble and ran 52 yards for the touchdown. But Kevonte Coplin atoned for his fumble the previous series with a 42-yard touchdown run, and it remained 7-7 through halftime after the Rams missed a 28-yard field goal with 40 seconds left.

Trey Cole’s 47-yard touchdown run with 9:40 left stood up, Lakeside coming up a yard short on fourth and two after a 12-play, 59-yard drive. Kristen Trammel’s interception with 49 seconds left, his second of the game, preserved the victory.

Watson Chapel outgained Lakeside 209-179, the Rams’ total a season low. The Wildcat defense, coordinated by former Bismarck aide Nathan Sullivan, has not allowed an offensive score the last two weeks.

McBride did not ride home with the team, going to Little Rock to be with older brother Jeff, the Bismarck coach, who suffered an apparent heart attack. Jared McBride tweeted that his younger brother is doing well.