In a junior/senior high scrimmage doubleheader, the Pea Ridge Blackhawks used a tough defense and big plays on offense to post 25-0 and 20-0 victories, respectively.
The junior 'Hawks outgained their counterparts 433 yards to 72 with the varsity Blackhawks holding a 273 to 113 advantage in yards gained in their contest.
The Pirates relied on their passing attack for all their offense in the varsity game, as their rushing attack ended with a net -4.
Though the varsity Pirates were likely heavy underdogs to the 'Hawks, they opened the game like they meant to disprove that notion, driving 65 yards in 10 plays to set up first and 5 on the 'Hawks' 5-yard line. The Blackhawks swarmed the ball carrier on a run up the middle, dislodging the ball with Brad Beavers covering a fumble on the 'Hawk 3 to end the threat.
Tailback Shane Ivy turned on the jets to bounce outside to pick up 17 yards on first down. Two plays later, quarterback Seth Brumley picked up 20 more on a keeper with Ivy gaining 18 more on a sweep on the next play to cross into Pirate territory on the 39.
Garrett Easterling burst through for 12 yards to the 27 on first down. Two plays went nowhere and the 'Hawks were looking at third and 10 when Brumley threaded a pass to Dakota Winn who outmaneuvered the defense into the end zone for the game's first score. Brumley kicked the PAT through the uprights for a 7-0 lead.
Greenland got back on offense but had to punt after five plays. The 'Hawks likewise could not move the ball and a short punt gave the Pirates excellent field position to start their next possession at the 'Hawks' 37. A fourth down and 1 play on the 'Hawks' 27 was blown up when the 'Hawks' Jonathan Small burst through to sack the Greenland quarterback for a 7-yard loss and take over possession.
Neither team could threaten until late in the first half when Greenland moved to the 'Hawk 15 on five straight completed passes. A third and 6 play on the 'Hawk 15 went south when the Pea Ridge defenders blew past the Pirate blockers to sack the quarterback for a 7-yard loss. The resulting field goal attempt was wide to end the threat.
Both teams exchanged turnovers for the remainder of the half. Hunter Hargiss pounced on a fumble when the Pirates had a first down on the 'Hawk 16 with Gage Cawthon ending the half with a deep interception of a Pirate pass.
In the third quarter, Brumley broke loose on an initial third down play for 15 yards, which was followed by an Easterling 12-yarder for a first down on the Pirate 41. Facing a third and 3 from the Pirate 35, Ivy kept the drive alive with a 19-yard run to the 16. A Brumley pass to Logan Johnson netted 11 yards to the 5 with Ivy bulling his way to the 1-yard line on the next play. Easterling then ran left, racing untouched into the end zone to boost the edge to 14-0 after Brumley's PAT.
The next three series found both teams losing yards with a lot of substitutions in and out of the game until reserve quarterback Cole Wright hooked up with Gage Cawthon for a 55-yard strike to the Greenland 32. On the next play, Wright took off for a dash to the eastern corner of the end zone, outrunning the defense to slip in for the score and a 20-0 lead, which is how the game ended.
The junior game was settled early on.
After completing a pass for 17-yards and a first down near mid-field, the Pirates were frustrated when Hayden Holtgrewe swiped a pass, returning in 34 yards. On the next play with the ball on the 'Hawk 30, Drew Winn blew past all defenders to race 70 yards for the first score.
On the 'Hawks' next series, Dakota Sainesbury broke loose for 17 yards but 15 yards were removed because of a holding penalty, to put the ball back on the 'Hawk 32. Winn got the call again and had the same result, racing 68 yards, eluding a host of defenders to score again.
On the 'Hawks' next series, Sainsbury hooked up with Holtgrewe twice for 48 yards and a third touchdown for a 18-0 lead. In the intervening Pirate series, Ryan Shepherd came up with an interception near mid-field to keep the Pirates in check. Shay Cates and Gannon Conrad had big runs to help keep the Pirates bottled up on their end of the field.
The final score ended with a 17-yard Sainsbury run set up by a 33-yard scoring pass from Carson Rhine to Holtgrewe. Sainsbury's PAT was good for the final 25-0 margin.
Sports on 08/27/2014