Blackhawk defenders dug in their heels in the second half while the offense turned up the heat as Pea Ridge finished the season in fine style, winning the game 32-10
“We got an outstanding game from Dayton Winn who ran for over 240 yards,” coach Tony Travis said, “and the offensive line stepped it up in the second half to help us ice the game.”
“Braxton Caudill and Dalton Morgan made some outstanding blocks, and having Austin Easterling healthy again made a world of difference.”
Berryville started the game determined to take advantage of the Blackhawks’ pass defense vulnerability and it led to their first score to take an early lead.
After the ’Hawks deferred on the kickoff, the Bobcats opened the game with two quick passes of 24 and 22 yards to gain a first down on the ’Hawk 18. After three running plays could not dent the scoreboard or make a first down, the ’Cats decided to kick and the 17-yard field goal gave the Bobcats an early 3-0 lead with 7:45 left in the first period.
The ’Hawks went to work immediately, with Easterling’s 17 around Winn’s runs totaling 36 yards and rode a 24-yard dash by Easterling on a 5-yard jaunt by Winn to set up a second down on the ’Cat 5. However, a slipped snap and exchange led to an 11-yard loss and the ’Hawks eventually turned the ball over on downs.
In the next series, Blake Roughton broke through to nail the quarterback for a 3-yard loss on first down. After failing to move the ball, the ’Cats punted, but Dalton Morgan jumped up to block the ball and the pigskin came to rest on the Berryville 27.
A dash by Easterling went for 13 yards and a 4-yard burst by Winn set up the ’Hawks on the 10-yard line. Winn then sliced through the heart of the defense to rush 10 yards into the end zone for a 6-3 Blackhawk lead.
It was three and out for the ’Cats on their next possession and a short punt put the ’Hawks in business on the ’Hawk 45-yard line. A pass from Easterling to Joel Thomas got the ’Hawks across mid-field, but a huge 15-yard penalty sent the ’Hawks back across the 50. Easterling then found Daniel Beard open for a 31-yard gainer and a first down on the Bobcat 29. Easterling ran for 4 yards then Winn slipped outside to pick up 16 yards to the Berryville 9. After a holding callslowed down the ’Hawks’ attack momentarily, Easterling dialed long distance as he flung a deep pass to Thomas who gathered it in inside the end zone and a 12-3 lead with 6:55 left in the half.
The winless Bobcats were determined to get back into the game as they launched a 17-play, seven-minute drive that culminated in a 3-yard run into the end zone with 24 seconds left in the half. The good PAT kick the lead to 12-10 going into intermission.
After the half, the ’Hawks came roaring out of the locker room as they took the second half kickoff and marched 65 yards on 11 plays to restore the ’Hawks’ 9-yard lead.Winn rushed for 13 yards on three carries then 8 more after a 4-yard pass from Easterling to Thomas.
Caudill crossed up the ’Cat defenders as he scrambled for 12 yards to the Bobcat 34. Winn then ripped off runs of 10- and 12-yards to gain a first down on the ’Cat 12. After a yard loss, Winn scored on second down as he cut right, moved left, then spun round opponents to reach paydirt with 7:29 left in the third quarter.
After forcing a three and out on the ’Hawks, the ’Hawks cranked up another scoring drive in the waning stages of the third quarter. Winn began the assault with runs of 10 and 14 yards with Caudill moving upfield for 3.
Winn then converted for 4, 7 and 2 yards with a 3-yard pass from Easterling to Beard picking up 3 yards. Winn ran for 5 yards to set up a fourth and 1 where the junior tailback rushed for 4 more for a first down on the Berryville 11. With 0:46 left in the quarter,Winn covered the remaining distance to give the ’Hawks a solid 26-10 lead including a successful PAT kick by Will Klein.
The Bobcats made one last drive into Pea Ridge territory but it was slowed and then killed on an incomplete fourth and 5 pass from the ’Hawk 31. From there, Winn ran four times for 14 yards with Caudill adding a 5-yard dash to set the ’Hawks up for a first down on the 50-yard line. After Easterling fought for 2 yards, the ’Cats were hit with a personal foul penalty for another 15 yards and a first down on the Bobcat 33. It looked like a big fumble that lost 17 yards would stifle the ’Hawks but Winn got to the end zone in three carries, the last being a 25-yard jaunt through a host of tacklers. The score put the game away as Pea Ridge had a 32-10 lead with four minutes left in the contest.
After Easterling intercepted a second down pass by Berryville, Blackhawk reserves flooded in to finish the contest. Jack Rapp rushed for 2, 4, and 7 yards for a first down with Cory Lawson adding 5 more yards before the game ended.
Winn led the offense with 244 yards while Easterling rushed for 54 yards while passing for 90 more for 144 yards of offense.
The victory ended the ’Hawks’ season as they finished sixth in the league with a 2-5 league mark and a 4-6 overall mark, best record in the past four years by a Blackhawk squad. The team returns nearly intact in 2012 so next season could be a memorable one for the ’Hawks.
Sports, Pages 7 on 11/09/2011