Jr.’Hawks lost to Shiloh in final encounter

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

— The Junior Blackhawks put up a good game in Springdale, but it wasn’t enough as Pea Ridge lost final encounter with Shiloh Junior High 28-8.

Pea Ridge had success running the ball with Dayton Winn, Braxton Caudill and Austin Easterling getting off some good runs, but fumbles and missed blocks derailed otherwise successful drives into Shiloh territory.

The biggest play of the game came when Daniel Beard gathered in a Shiloh kickoff at his own 4-yard line, then returned it 96 yards for the ’Hawks’ lone touchdown. Beard seemed to have been caught three times on the runback, only to slip through his tacklers each time before being tackled as he crossed the goal line.

The game started on a low note for the ’Hawksas the hosts rushed for 47 yards on the game’s first play, all the way to the Pea Ridge six. Two plays later Shiloh scored for a 6-0 lead with 7:00 showing in the first quarter.

The ’Hawks looked undaunted by the quick deficit, as they put together a 14-play drive into Shiloh territory. Winn gained nine yards on two carries before Easterling scrambled for two for the ’Hawks’ initial first down. Three more rushes by Winn netted 11 yards, with Caudill adding eight yards on two carries to put Pea Ridge into Shiloh territory at the 38-yard line. The drive was derailed after the ’Hawks fumbled on the heels of an Easterling eight-yard run.

While the ’Hawks managed to cover the ball, the miscue forced a punt and the Saints responded by driving 67 yards on 13 plays to score. Big defensive plays by Beard, Caudill and Winn slowed down Shilohbut they finally did score at the 5:22 mark in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead.

Both teams stopped the other in successive possessions until the end of the half.

Zac Norman make numerous tackles to keep Shiloh in check after the half with Joe Adams making a big quarterback sack on fourth down to get the ball back to Pea Ridge late in the third period.

Sparked by an outstanding 21-yard run by Winn, Pea Ridge drove to the Saint 36 before the ’Hawks were stopped by a stiffeningSaint defense. Shiloh then launched a drive that got deep into Pea Ridge territory before Blake Roughton, Zac Norman and Joe Adams made big plays defensively.

The Saints/’Hawks football series is no more as the 1-4A conference voted to pull membership from Shiloh in all league sports.

Ozark Junior High is joining the district next year with Huntsville staying with the league on the junior high level.

The 3-2 ’Hawks will be in Gentry Thursday to test the Pioneers.

News, Pages 9 on 10/07/2009