Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Thomas’ Legs Carry Junior Cardinals
FARMINGTON DEFEATS SILOAM SPRINGS 28-13
NOTE: Tracy Sutton has taken a job as assistant principal at Farmington’s Randall Lynch Middle School effective July 1, and won’t return as head coach of junior high football, a post he has held since 2011.
FARMINGTON — Farmington overcame three turnovers and scored a late touchdown to seal a 28-13 victory over Siloam Springs in junior high football action Thursday, Sept. 21.
In a hard-fought game, Farmington sought every edge they could get. Caden Elsik helped with field position by returning five kickoffs for 219 yards with a long of 50.
Tailback DeCory Thomas carried the day for Farmington with 245 yards on 14 rushes, highlighted by touchdown sprints of 86 and 38 yards in the fourth quarter. Thomas became the workhorse in a game that was decided on the ground. Junior Cardinal quarterback Tate Sutton attempted just four passes. He completed two for 38 yards and two were intercepted. The junior Cardinals outgained Siloam Springs 282-232, but ran half as many plays from scrimmage.
Farmington took 28 snaps compared to 56 for Siloam Springs. The junior Panthers converted 5 of 9 third downs while Farmington was 3 for 4. Neither team was successful on fourth-down. Both teams were 0 for 2, Farmington was penalized six times for 122 yards. Siloam Springs drew nine flags, but only had 57 penalty yards assessed.
Junior Panther quarterback Taylor Pool finished with 109 rushing yards on 17 carries and completed 6 of 13 passes for 66 yards. Freshman runningback Camden Collins (6-1, 165 pounds) gained 60 yards on 11 carries and caught 3 passes for 42 yards, 38 of which came on one play.
Farmington cornerback Joshua Cartwright helped contain Pool and Collins with 8 tackles, including 4 solos. Outside linebacker Caleb Matthews had 7 tackles and middle linebacker Hayden Cox matched him. Collin Hummel, who plays the other cornerback slot, had 6 tackles.
The teams traded scores in the first quarter. Farmington quarterback Tate Sutton snuck in from 1-yard out and DeCory Thomas ran for the 2-point conversion to give the junior Cardinals an early 8-0 lead.
Pool led Siloam Springs on a scoring drive that ended with his 1-yard run. The Panthers opted to kick the point-after leaving Farmington ahead, 8-7, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.
In the second period, Farmington scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tate Sutton. Thomas again ran for the 2-point conversion putting the junior Cardinals in front, 16-7, a lead they held at halftime and at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter featured an offensive showcase starting with Pool’s 4-yard rushing touchdown. This time Siloam Springs tried a 2-point conversion which failed. Still the score closed the gap to 16-13.
Farmington shook off the adversity of penalties and turnovers as Thomas broke an 86-yard jaunt for a touchdown. The conversion failed, still, Farmington was ahead, 22-13. His second touchdown of the period, a 38-yard scamper, sealed the game giving Farmington a 28-13 win. With the victory Farmington improved to 4-0 while Siloam Springs fell to 1-3.