PEA RIDGE — The Pea Ridge fourthgrade ’Hawks traveled to West Fork Saturday, Oct. 8, and fought the toughest game of the year.

The explosive offense that rolled up 353 yards last week was held to only 153 yards this week. The strength of this team is toughness, and defense takes toughness. For the fourth time this season the “D” allowed 0 points. Standing out on defense this week were Adam Trammell, Mazon Harris, Gavin Warden and Kade Prince. These players accounted for 19 tackles and a forced fumble by Prince. Others this week with strong performances on defense were Eric Snarr, Jake Adams, Quentin Miller, Jackson Merritt, Reece Crowder, Skyler Shockley, Landon Lacy, David Snarr, Tate Busey, Samuel Beard, Blake Garrard, Aron Ricketts and Colton Secrist.

The ’Hawk offense was solid but, some costly mistakes lost them valuable yards. In the first half the offense stumbled out of the gate with a three and out.

The second and only other series of the half saw the ’Hawks’ march 68 yards, capped off by a 16-yard touchdown run by Crowder. This play was set up behind great blocking by Mathew Davila, Mazon Harris, Adam Trammell, Tate Busey, Todd Johnson and Jackson Merritt.

Late in the second half, Garrison Artman took over as quarterback and made a nice toss to Eric Galasia around the left end for the final score. This touchdown was set up by great blocks by Shay Grantham, David Wood, Daniel Wood, Riley Jones, Tristan Hall, Justin Pedersen, Peyton Losey, Mathew Manues and Trent Tolliver.

The final score was 12-0. This has these young ’Hawks all alone at the top of the league at 5-0.

This week youth football takes on Elkins in the Pea Bowl, games start at 11 a.m.

The second- and third-grades play at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

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Editor’s note: John Johnson coaches youth football. The Times welcomes reports and photographs of sporting events from coaches. E-mail to [email protected].

Sports, Pages 13 on 10/12/2011