TULSA — Fuller Chandler didn’t take long to bounce back from throwing his first varsity interception.
The Springdale High sophomore quarterback broke a 57-yard touchdown run two snaps later, keeping on a read option and outrunning the Tulsa (Okla.) Central defense down the sideline for the third-quarter score.
Chandler didn’t run much in the season-opening win at Batesville or in the first half of the Central game, but showcased his playmaking ability by running for 95 yards on four carries while running the read option in the third quarter of the 41-6 road win over the Braves.
“He can run,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “He’s a little elusive when he runs. People don’t realize how fast he is. He did a good job reading it (Friday).”
Chandler’s ability to make plays with his legs should give Springdale a valuable threat to keep
THAT FIGURES
9.2 — Yards per carry for Murray through the first two games after rushing for 413 yards on 45 attempts in the two wins.
2 — Receiving touchdowns in two games for senior receiver Quiency Patton, who caught a 7-yard touchdown in the first quarter Friday.
6 — Carries of two yards or less by Central quarterback and Tulsa commit D’Angelo Brewer, who finished with 90 yards on 14 carries.
defenses from only focusing on senior running back Deandre Murray, who has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of the first two games.
“Outside of our power, the read was our second-most productive play and second-most run play last year,” Patrick said. “We haven’t done it much to this point because of our sophomore quarterback. But we’re definitely going to start adding that into the mix.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Murray finished with 213 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. He scored on runs of 66, 21, 47 and 1, often outrunning a fast Central defense to get the corner consistently. Murray has started the season stronger than he did last year when he rushed for more than 1,400 yards, which is a good sign for the Bulldogs offense.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Murray took a handoff on an off-tackle play, hit the corner and followed a wall of blockers to the sideline, where he outran multiple defenders for a 66-yard score on the first offensive snap of the game. The run gave Springdale all the momentum just 25 seconds into the game and set the stage for the blowout win.
INJURY UPDATE: Starting fullback Johnny Lemari missed the Central game because of a sprained knee and is day-to-day, Patrick said.
NOTABLE: Springdale has a plus-four turnover margin in two games. The Bulldogs have forced five turnovers (three fumbles, two interceptions), while turning it over just once. … Springdale ran for 312 yards and improved to 6-1 when rushing for at least 200 yards during Murray’s 12-game Bulldog career.
UP NEXT: Springdale will host Bixby (Okla.) in its home opener Friday. The Bulldogs will try to avenge their 22-7 loss at Bixby last year. The Spartans are also 2-0 this season.