Heritage Holds Off Fort Smith Southside

Brandon Gates, a Rogers Heritage junior running back, avoids an attempted tackle by Fort Smith Southside senior Garrett Wolfe during the first half of Friday’s game at David Gates Stadium in Rogers.
Brandon Gates, a Rogers Heritage junior running back, avoids an attempted tackle by Fort Smith Southside senior Garrett Wolfe during the first half of Friday’s game at David Gates Stadium in Rogers.

— Rogers Heritage players celebrated at midfield as they tackled the Fort Smith Southside ball-carrier after time expired Friday night.

The War Eagles held on for a heart-stopping 20-19 victory over the Rebels in Gates Stadium after they saw an early lead evaporate in the second half a year ago.

It nearly did again as Southside (0-1) scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes, but the Rebels’ second bad snap of the night on a extra point attempt helped Heritage claim the win.

But the War Eagles’ excitement was tempered by the fact that starting quarterback Josh Qualls sat out the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.

GameBreaker

Rogers Heritage 20, Fort Smith Southside 19

Why the War Eagles won

Josh Qualls threw for one touchdown and ran for another, but had to hold off a late Southside surge.

Why the Rebels lost

Southside had bad snaps on two extra-point attempts, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. All those mistakes proved too much to overcome.

Qualls threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead Heritage (1-0) to a 17-6 halftime lead. But he didn’t return after throwing his second interception of the game late in the third quarter.

The 6-foot junior quarterback, who finished 11-of-21 for 183 yards, admitted his right shoulder still hurt following the game, but he was proud of the way his team stuck together.

“It was great to get a win, especially against a team as good as Southside,” Qualls said. “It shouldn’t have been that close at the end, but that wins gives us lots of momentum going into next week.”

Heritage coach Perry Escalante praised his defense despite a pair of breakdowns late. He also said Qualls could have played more, but opted to play it safe in the season opener.

“We’ll have to wait and see (on Qualls),” Escalante said. “We think he’ll be OK. But our defense did a good job against a big, physical Southside team.”

Southside had been held in check in the second half until quarterback Issac Jackson hooked up with junior Coady Wooten for a 49-yard touchdown. The extra point pulled the Rebels within 20-13 with 2 minutes, 37 seconds left.

The Rebels then recovered a squib kick at the Heritage 28. Jackson then faked to running back David Price and found senior Reece Strickland wide open on a post pattern for a 26-yard touchdown. But the snap on the ensuing extra point attempt was high, and the War Eagles swarmed the Southside holder with 1:50 left.

Rogers Heritage coach Perry Esclanate and quarterback Josh Qualls, and Fort Smith Southside coach Jeff Williams recap the War Eagles' 20-19 win on Friday.

Rogers Heritage-Fort Smith Southside Postgame

Video available Watch Video

“We made mistakes playing and coaching tonight, I don’t think there’s any question,” Southside coach Jeff Williams said. “We were horrendous in the kicking game. Our offense didn’t execute at times. Defensively we were decent. We gave up the one big play, but the kicking game was the big point.”

Jackson was Southside’s big offensive standout, running for 70 yards and throwing for 128. The junior threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

Heritage will host Fort Smith Northside next week, while Southside will host El Dorado.

Upcoming Events