VILONIA — The Harrison Goblins lost their starting quarterback, then seemed to lose their composure in a 56-15 loss to the Vilonia Eagles on Friday.
After leading the Goblins on a touchdown drive to open the game, Daltan Lovell left with an apparent ankle injury in the first quarter.
Harrison (0-4, 0-1 5AWest) was flagged for numerous personal foul penalties and had at least one player ejected in what became a sloppy game. Vilonia’s defense racked up six sacks of backup Brock Humphrey and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Vilonia (1-0, 3-0) scored 29 points over a seven-minute stretch of the first quarter, largely because of its defense. Trailing 7-0, the Eagles scored on a 1-yard run from Kyle Wyatt. Triston Meye ran in the two-point conversion and the Eagles led for good.
Harrison fumbled on the next play from scrimmage, giving Vilonia possession at the Harrison 6. Three plays later Michael Atkinson eluded the rush and floated a pass to Drew Estes for a 7-yard score.
Lovell left the game on the next Harrison possession, which ended when Houston Cotton intercepted Humphrey and weaved through traffic for a 72-yard touchdown return. The extra point made it 22-7.
A short punt and two personal fouls set up Vilonia at the Harrison 20. Three plays later, Jake Steward ran in from 11 yards out.
The Eagles made the most of Harrison’s mistakes, racking up 56 points on 189 yards of total offense.
Vilonia put the game out of reach with two quick scores to start the second half. A horse-collar penalty by Harrison aided an Eagles scoring drive, with Atkinson taking a double hand off for a 7-yard touchdown.
After an interception and late hit set up Vilonia at the Harrison 26, Wyatt scored on a sneak to make it 42-9. Later in the quarter Atkinson took an interception back 22 yards for a score, and Joseph Owens added a 25-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Harrison took the opening kickoff and wasted little time taking the lead. The Goblins needed six plays to cover 83 yards. Lovell connected with Colton Spears for 37 yards, and found Logan Patton for a 7-yard touchdown. But most everything went downhill from there for Harrison.
The Goblins added two points when Eagles punter Martin Reyes had the snap sail over his head and through the end zone. The clock ran continuously in the fourth quarter, and Harrison added a touchdown when Humphrey connected with Spears from 21 yards out.
ALMA 35, CLARKSVILLE 7
CLARKSVILLE - Gage Jensen passed for four touchdowns as Alma (3-1, 1-0 5A-West) defeated Clarksville (0-4, 0-1) in the conference opener.
Jensen hooked up with Gage Battles for touchdowns covering 1, 10 and 34 yards. His other touchdown pass was a 22-yarder to Lance Wheeler.
Tim Pearson also blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for another Alma touchdown.
Clarksville’s D’Aundra Cain ran for 108 yards, and Ryan Medina threw a 29-yard pass to Colton Smith for Clarksville’s lone touchdown.
Sports, Pages 27 on 09/22/2012