The Pea Ridge fourth-grade Blackhawk football team ended their season at a perfect 9-0, as they jumped out ahead of Elkins then held them off for a 14-8 victory in the championship game at Farmington.
Elkins had but one loss heading into the championship game of the Northwest Arkansas Football league, that being a 6-0 loss to Pea Ridge earlier in the season. That game originally ended 0-0 with the 'Hawks scoring a touchdown in overtime to win that battle.
"We fought hard all season," coach Wes Anderson said, "and our defense played exceptionally well from the first game through the last. The players we had this year have a future in Blackhawk football."
After being shut out in regulation by Elkins in their first battle, the 'Hawks turned that around by scoring the first two times they had possession to mount a lead the Elks could not overcome.
Jacob Ogburn got the train rolling with a 17-yard run to gain the 'Hawks' first first down on the 50-yard line. Chandler Anderson broke free to scamper 13 yards for another first down on the Elks 37. Anderson then ran twice for 7 yards to land Pea Ridge, first and 10, on the Elkins 24.
Titus Stevenson dashed for 8 more yards to the 17-yard line and very nearly broke free to score. After a 3-yard loss on the next play, Anderson ran straight up the middle on thirrd down where blockers had opened a big hole with the 'Hawk quarterback scampering 20 yards to the end zone. With 12:09 left in the half, Pea Ridge had taken a 6-0 lead.
Behind the Elks' power runner Jacob Chenowith, Elkins got enough rushing yards for a first down on their own 41. The first down play was stopped cold when Waylon Fletcher met the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for no gain. On the next play, Peyton Carney shot the gap to tackle the Elks quarterback almost before he could react, saddling Elkins with a third and 13 situation. Ogburn and Stevenson teamed up to nail the Elks ball carrier with another loss on the next play to force an Elkins punt.
Ogburn electrified the crowd when he swept left to sprint 54 yards downfield on the 'Hawks' first play from their own 31. Anderson picked up 5 yards on first down, and then rambled 15 yards on third down to score the 'Hawks' second touchdown. Anderson ran in the 2-point conversion to put Pea Ridge firmly in control with a 14-0 lead with 3:30 left in the first half.
With the clock winding down, the 'Hawks didn't let the Elks have another chance, stripping the ball away from the Elkins runner on their very first play. The 'Hawks then ran out the clock to head into intermission with a 14-0 lead.
The second half started with the Elks having the first possession and after two plays, they were deep in the hole at their own 25 facing a third and 15. However, their speedy tailback Chenowith got in behind the Blackhawk defensive secondary and when a pass was lofted his way, he caught it and ran untouched into the end zone. Chenowith rammed his way into the end zone for the 2-point conversion and the game was suddenly very tight with the 'Hawks holding a 14-6 lead with 18:01 left in the game.
Anderson and Fletcher combined to rush for 11 yards on three carries on their ensuing possession, but a holding call pushed them back 10 yards and forced a punt with 12:54 left in the game.
Sensing a swing in momentum, Elkins mounted a long drive that nearly reached the end zone. However, the drive resulted in eating most of the clock in the process.
The Elks got three runs for for 29 yards by Chenowith and when the 'Hawks were rung up with two penalties, Elkins was knocking on the door at the 'Hawks' 22. The yellow flags then began flying the Elks way as two penalties in a row pushed them back to the 'Hawk 34. A 16-yard passing play gave the Elks another chance, reaching the 18-yard line, but the next play left them 3 yards short on fourth down to give the ball back to the 'Hawks with only 1:54 left in the game.
With Elkins out of time outs, the 'Hawks let the clock run down to end the game and their season as well, capping one of the best ever seasons for a fourth-grade team at Pea Ridge.
The 'Hawks got 83 rushing yards from Anderson on eight carries while Ogburn gained 65 on seven tries. Anderson scored both touchdowns and was the season scoring and rushing leader for the young 'Hawks.
Sports on 11/09/2016