PEA RIDGE — A balanced running and passing attack complemented a stingy defense as the Pea Ridge Junior Blackhawks opened their 4A-1 District season with a 29-6 pasting of the Gravette Lions here last week.
The 'Hawks got on the scoreboard first as a result of a outstanding punt and tough defense. After going three and out on their first offensive series, punter/ quarterback Austin Easterling boomed a 50-yard punt to pin the Lions down on their own 8-yard line. After failing to move the ball, the Lions were forced to punt from the back of the end zone with the 'Hawks breaking through to block it for a touchdown. Dalton Morgan picked up the loose pigskin for the score and Easterlingconverted the kick for a 7-0 lead with 1:25 left in the opening quarter.
Things got worse for the Lions in quick succession as Morgan came up with another turnover on Gravette's second play. An Easterling pass to Joe Adams netted 21 yards with Dayton Winn dashing 27 yards to paydirt on the next play to boost the lead to 13-0 with 16 second left in the first period.
Gravette took a little wind out of the 'Hawks' sails when a Lion back ripped of a 51-yard run on the first play following the 'Hawks' score.
Though starting from the 8-yard line, it took Gravette all four downs to get into the end zone, scoring with 5:12 left in the half.
Three runs by Winn and two 20-yard plus passes from Easterling to Daniel Beard quickly doused the Lions' hopes as the 'Hawks scoredtheir third TD with 2:11.
Braxton Caudill converted the 2-point conversion for a 21-6 lead.
The 'Hawks couldn't move the ball after intermission until Winn came up with a big interception on the 'Hawk 32. On first down, Easterling broke free to sprint 38 yards to the Lion 30. Gaining ground on short yardage rushing plays, the 'Hawks alternated Easterling, Winn and Caudill to chew up the clock and move the ball down to the Lion 1 yard line.
Easterling scored on a quarterback keeper with Winn blasting in for the 2-pointer to expand the lead to 29-6 with 4:35 left in the contest.
The victory put the 'Hawks on top of the league with a 1-0 record but must visit football power Shiloh this Thursday in the junior team's final game with the Saints. The 4A-1 Conference officially voted the Shiloh junior team out of the district in all sports with an unanimous vote, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.
Sports, Pages 8 on 09/30/2009