The Blackhawk junior football team took their first step to defend their 2013 district title by decimating cross county rival Gentry 29-8 in the conference opener for both teams.
Sparked by an 199-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance by Drew Winn, the 'Hawks scored on their first possession and never looked back. Pea Ridge led 22-0 at the half, outgaining their guests 194 to 58 in total yards in that time span. For the game, the 'Hawks outgained the Pioneers 312 -216 with most of Gentry's yards coming after the visitors fell behind 29-0.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the 'Hawks earned their first first down on a 14-yard pass from Jakota Sainsbury to Hayden Holtgrewe to the Gentry 43. Robby Pickthall rushed twice for 11 yards and a first down on the Pioneer 42. Two plays later saw Winn sweep left then outrun the defense to the end zone for the game's first score. Pickthall ran in the 2-point conversion to give Pea Ridge an 8-0 lead with 4:21 showing on the clock.
Gentry couldn't move the ball and had to punt, but an errant pitch resulted in a 13-yard loss on the 'Hawks' first play. Facing fourth and 15 from their own 31, Pickthall got them out of hole by booming a 40-yard punt to flip the field.
Gentry finally found success in their ground game, rushing four consecutive times for 11, 13, 13 and 10 yards to get to the 'Hawks' 25. Two plays later the Pioneers were knocking on the door with a second down and 3 on the 'Hawk 12. Winn threw a clod into their churn but racing by a host of blockers to nail the Pioneer quarterback for a 12-yard loss. Adding insult to injury, Winn broke through again on the next play to sack the quarterback for an additional 3-yard loss to force a fourth and 18 situation on the 27. The ensuing passing play was incomplete, turning the ball back over to the 'Hawks.
Two runs by Winn to start the series netted 32 yards and a first down on the Pioneer 41. Pickthall picked up 5 up the middle with Sainsbury connecting with Holtgrewe for 4 more yards to the 32. After short gains by Pickthall and Winn, Sainsbury pulled off a masterful fake, then outmanuevered the defense all the way to the end zone for 28 yards. Winn ran the 2-point play to perfection and a 16-0 lead with 2:26 left in the half.
Aided by a personal foul call on the 'Hawks, Gentry drove into Pea Ridge territory at the 42. Faced with a second and 10, the Pioneers went to the air with the ball carroming off a defender and high into the air where Pickthall lept high into the air to snare the falling pigskin.
Pickthall's interception was followed by a 22-yard run by Winn to get the ball near mid-field at the 'Hawk 49. Two plays later Pickthall ran right, dodged several would be tacklers for 23 yards, then dragged other defenders an additional 10 yards for a first down on the Pioneer 18. Pickthall tacked on 10 more yards on the next play with Winn nearly breaking into the end zone two plays later before getting tripped up on the Gentry 2. Pickthall then got the call, barging up the middle on the next play, then spinning loose from a tackle to land in the end zone with 30 seconds left in the half. The PAT was unsuccessful to leave the score 22-0 at intermission.
Neither team could threaten in the third quarter until Gentry got something going late in the period. A steady ground game gave the Pioneers a first and goal from the 'Hawk 6-yard line, giving Gentry their first real chance to dent the scoreboard. The first two plays gained 5 yards to the 1-yard line, but that was as close as they would get. A run up the middle on third down was slammed by the 'Hawk defense resulting in a 3-yard loss. A fourth down rush saw the quarterback getting run down by Winn for a 1-yard loss, giving the ball back to the home boys.
The ball didn't stay in 'Hawk territory for long as Winn took a first down handoff, swept right,then set sail down the east sidelines for a 95-yard touchdown run. Ryan Higgins kicked the extra point for a 29-0 lead with 5:20 left in the game.
With such a huge deficit, the Pioneers decided to go deep and were successful on the second play to cover 67 yards and get on the scoreboard. The 2-point conversion was good to shrink the 'Hawk lead to 29-8 with 4:49 left in the game.
Neither team could mount a threat for the remainder of the game as both benches were cleared. The win gives Pea Ridge a 1-0 district record with their next game a road game at Lincoln Thursday, Oct. 2.
Winn led the offense with 199 yards on 14 carries. Pickthall rushed 10 times for 79 yards with Sainsbury adding 32 rusing yards on three carries. Cates finished with 13 yards on four tries. Sainsbury completed three of four passes for 28 yards to lead the passing attack.
Sports on 10/01/2014