Stuttgart gets big boost from Brown to 4A state title

— Dontrell Brown wasn't thinking that he had to be the main contributor to get Stuttgart out of its early-game slump. But he had no problem doing it, anyway.

Brown, a quarterback, ran for 219 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries and earned game most valuable player honors in en route to the Ricebirds' 28-7 victory over Ozark in the Class 4A state title game at War Memorial Stadium.

Brown also went 5-for-13 passing for 58 yards.

Despite Stuttgart (13-1) gaining 208 total yards in the first half to the Hillibillies' (12-3) seven, they led just 14-0 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Brown in the first quarter, then an 11-yard score in the second and a two-point conversion. The Ricebirds lost two fumbles in the first half and committed five penalties for 50 yards.

With no one providing any offensive spark, Brown was forced shoulder the load. He finished the half with 144 total yards (102 rushing, 42 passing).

It was in the second half that Brown earned game MVP honors. Brown's 33-yard scramble to the Ozark 5-yard line set up a Dre'lon Ice 5-yard touchdown, then Brown capped the scoring with a 1-yard dive of his own.

Stuttgart finished with 409 total yards of offense, 351 rushing. The Hillibillies finished with 119 total yards with Josef Asbeck's 11 carries for 44 yards and the team's lone touchdown leading the way.

It's the seventh state title in school history for the Ricebirds and first since 2002.

Read more about this story in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Upcoming Events