The Pea Ridge Blackhawks blew past the Hamburg Lions 37-7 Friday, Nov. 17, to advance to the 4A State Playoff Quarterfinals against Booneville next Friday night.
Playing in a fierce wind throughout the contest, the 'Hawks shook off a slow start to explode for 24 points in the second quarter to pave the way to victory.
Pea Ridge 37, Hamburg 7
Hamburg^0^0^0^7^—^7
Pea Ridge^0^24^13^0^—^37
Second Quarter
Pea Ridge — Holtgrewe 28 pass from Sainsbury (Green kick), 10:46.
Pea Ridge — Holtgrewe 19 pass from Sainsbury (Green kick), 8:12.
Pea Ridge — Winn 26 run (Green kick), 3:11.
Pea Ridge — FG Reyes 35, :54.
Third Quarter
Pea Ridge — Pickthall 46 pass from Sainsbury (Kick failed), 7:38.
Pea Ridge — Winn 7 run (Green kick), 5:18.
Fourth Quarter
Hamburg — Forrest 16 pass from Kelly (Lemus kick), 10:28.
"The defense played really well tonight," head coach Stephen Neal said. "And the offensive line protected our quarterback extremely well."
Drew Winn had a big night again, rushing for 110 yards on 15 carries, scoring two touchdowns. His last carry early in the third quarter put the senior All-Stater over the 2,000 yard mark for the season.
Jakota Sainsbury, senior quarterback, was good seven for 12 in the passing game, battling extremely windy conditions. He piled up 169 passing yards, hooking up with Hayden Holtgrewe for two scores and Robby Pickthall for another.
The first quarter was a scoreless affair with the 'Hawks playing into the wind. Mishandled balls and a bad snap put the 'Hawks into holes on two of their first possessions to force punts. The Lions picked up a first down on their first play but didn't earn another until late in the third quarter against the Blackhawk reserves.
The highlight of the first quarter was when the 'Hawks were backed up to their 17-yard line and a bad snap forced punter Sainsbury to scramble around with the ball near the goal line. Cool under fire, Sainsbury recovered the loose pigskin, avoided a number of tacklers then punted out of trouble into the wind.
The second quarter began with the Lions electing to go for a first down on a fourth and 2 situation on the 'Hawks' 26-yard line. The 'Hawks' Mike Mahoney barged up the middle through Hamburgs' blockers and nailed the ball carrier for a 3-yard loss, which turned the ball over to Pea Ridge on the "Hawk 29.
Three plays later, the game was scoreless no more. After Pickthall picked up 3 yards on first down, the senior running back barreled through and over Lion defenders to dash 40 yards upfield to the Hamburg 28. Sainsbury then lifted a looping high pass over the Lion defenders to a diving Holtgrewe who caught it in the end zone for a touchdown. Evan Green's kick made the score 7-0 with 10:46 left in the half.
The Lions' next two plays lost 4 yards leading to a punt. Having to kick into the wind, the Hamburg punt traveled but 12 yards to their own 38. Sainsbury ran an option play to gain 8 yards, with Winn breaking loose for 10 more to the Lion 20. Sainsbury connected with Holtgrewe with the senior receiver eluding several pursuers to cruise back into the end zone. Green was good again and the 'Hawks led 14-0 with 8:12 left in the half.
Carson Rhine ended Hamburg's next possession with his sixth interception of the year after the 'Hawks' next series ended in a punt, the one after saw Pea Ridge score again. It was all Winn as the elusive back rushed for 11 then 6 yards before running in from the 26-yard line two plays later. Green's successful PAT made it 21-0 with 3:22 left.
After forcing their fifth straight 3 and out on the Lions, Pea Ridge got the ball back with 2:10 left on the Hamburg 47. Another Sainsbury to Holtgrewe passed netted 27 yards, but the next three plays only picked up 2 yards. Luis Reyes came on to attempt a 35-yard field goal and the sophomore kicker booted it through the uprights with 54 seconds left in the half, boosting the score to 24-0.
Reyes had a big night handling kick off duties, booming all six of his kickoffs into the end zone to prevent any runback attempt by the Lions' speedy return men.
Hamburg got the ball to start the second half but couldn't get out of their own side of the field, having to punt from their own 37. Two plays later saw the 'Hawks put the game away when Winn scrambled for 14 yards followed by a short pass to Pickthall with the hard running senior motoring down the field 46 yards to paydirt. With 7:38 left in the third period, the 'Hawks were drawing close to the Mercy Rule.
On the Lions' fourth play of their next series, a crowd of Blackhawk defenders buried the Lion ball carrier with the tailback coughing up the ball. The 'Hawks recovered on the Hamburg 27 and two Winn runs later, the 'Hawks were back on the scoreboard. Winn slashed for 20 to the 7-yard line, and two plays later, he darted through the line to score what would be the 'Hawks' final touchdown. Green split the uprights again and with 5:18 left in the third quarter, the 'Hawks were inexorably ahead 37-0.
At this point, Pea Ridge reserves flooded into the game. Just before the end of the third quarter, Hamburg finally crossed midfield to enter Pea Ridge territory. The Lions had not been past midfield since the first play of the second quarter. The Lions managed to put together a 12-play scoring march that culminated with a 16-yard scoring pass to set the final score at 37-7 with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Class of 2018 recorded their 35th career victory, breaking the school mark of 34 set by the Class of 2017 last season. The Class of '17 finished with a 34-6 mark with the Class of '18 currently holding a 35-6 mark.
The 'Hawks now join seven other Arkansas 4A schools in the quarter-finals with the 'Hawks making their second journey to Booneville this season. Ironically, the the 'Hawks played Booneville the game after playing Hamburg to open the season. That game was on only three days rest but the 'Hawks prevailed 29-19, coming from behind late.
Booneville beat Nashville 24-21 on a last-minute field goal to earn the home game with Pea Ridge. Prairie Grove also earned a trip to the quarterfinals, coming from behind to whip Stuttgart 24-14. The Tigers will be playing at Warren against the defending state champions.
Warren crushed Ozark 49-14 in their second round match.
The 7-4A champ Robinson disposed of Dardanelle 42-14 to earn the right to face the 3-4A champ Gosnell Pirates. Gosnell beat Heber Springs 37-7 in their game.
If the 'Hawks can get past Booneville one more time, they will play the winner of the Ashdown/Arkadelphia matchup. Ashdown beat Pocahontas 32-14 with Arkadelphia winning over Batesville Southside 42-8. The 'Hawks next game would be the semifinals and that would be held in Pea Ridge.
Sports on 11/22/2017