PEA RIDGE — The future is bright for Pea Ridge Pee Wee Blackhawks football. On Saturday at the Shiloh Saints home field, the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teams all won. Until last year, no youth football team had ever beaten Shiloh.

As for the fifth-grade game, defense was brutal, allowing only 42 yards on 21 plays holding the Saints to a 2-yard per play average. Leading with tackles this week were a host of 'Hawks (players are credited with a tackle if they have a solid hit on the ball carrier whether assisting or solo), Duncan Truesdell led with five, Cole Wright and Seth Trammell had four apiece, Michael Schleisman, Austin Anderson and Wyatt Weber all had three, Britton Caudill, Chandler Tidwell, Zaine Holley, Spencer Marler and Hunter Shackelford with two tackles each. Jaylee Kelley, Jacob Toress, Dalton Harwell and Miranda Morgan each had a tackle. Others playing well on defense are Clayton Brown, Joseph Beard, Manny Wishon, Jason Frater, Shane Tedford, Joseph Ortiz and Landon Rhine.

Offensively, the 'Hawks played up and down some. As they rolled up 322 yards on 43 plays for a seven and a half yard per play average. The opening drive took only four plays with Jacob Torres going seven yards for the score behind Kamden Boyd and Aron Tuszynski. The TD was set up by a nice bootleg pass from Wright to Tidwell that gained 19 yards, on the day Wright completed two of three passes for 29 yards. The 2-pointconversion was good as Britton Caudill sent a message to the Saints linebacker, message received.

The next series had six different ball carries. The 'Hawks marched 53 yards on 13 plays with Schleisman finding the end zone on a 6-yard reverse, the PAT failed. The 'Hawks scored twice in the second half. Schleisman went 40 yards around the left end, behind Tanner Flippo, Beau German and Brandon Johnson.

A new set of players came in and showed the Saints no mercy as Zaine Holley went 31 yards from the full back spot for the touchdown, a holding penalty brought the play back. Two plays later Holley was not to be denied as he went 37 yards for the score, the play stood. Schleisman led the rushers with102 yards on nine carries, Torres had 43 on five carries, Holley, 42 yards on three carries and Wright 32 yards on eight carries. Caudill and Tidwell combined for 37 yards on six carries each powering their way for huge first downs on a 4th and three and a 4th and five.

Others playing well for the offense were George Tyree, Logan Johnson, Jason Frater, Brett Scott, Hunter Gaston, Westin Church, Hunter Thomas, Tyler Wallace and Harwell. Bryce Prince threw three passes to Brandon Johnson for 24 yards.

The Farmington Cardinals come to Pea Ridge Saturday, Oct. 3. Game times are 10 a.m. for the fourth grade, 11 a.m.

for the fifth grade and 12 p.m. for the sixth grade.

Community, Pages 9 on 09/30/2009