Backups Rally Har-Ber Past Rebels

FORT SMITH — Springdale Har-Ber was in trouble, down by 13 points at halftime and with its starting quarterback and running back out with injuries.

That’s when third-string sophomore Luke Hannon took over to lead Har-Ber to a 35-27 comeback victory over the Rebels Friday at Jim Rowland Stadium. Hannon rushed for 128 yards on 32 carries for the Wildcats, who outscored Southside 21-0 in the second half.

Har-Ber (2-1) played without quarterback Kyle Pianalto and running back Sain Mathew, who were both injured in last week’s game against Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge. Junior Caleb Daniels started at quarterback and threw three touchdown passes, including two to tight end Camden Scott.

“We’re playing a brutal nonconference (schedule) and I’m just proud of our resilience,” said Har-Ber coach Chris Wood, who earned his 100th career win with the Wildcats. “Caleb managed the game well and I was real proud of Luke in what he did. We put a lot on the offensive line and they came through for us.”

The Rebels (2-1) hurt themselves with turnovers in the second half. Holden Thornton intercepted a pass in the end zone and Logan Carmean recovered a fumble at the Har-Ber 14 with six minutes, 57 seconds left to play.

Southside was also called for two critical penalties that helped Har-Ber take a 35-27 lead on a 7-yard run by Hannon.

“They turned it over in the first half and we turned it over in the second half,” Southside coach Jeff Williams said. “They’ve got a good football team and we’ve got to correct these mistakes.”

The Rebels outscored Har-Ber 20-7 in the second quarter with help from the Wildcats, who failed on a 4th-down gamble near midfield and had a fumble in their own territory. Southside turned those mistakes into a 15-yard touchdown catch by Andrew Barley and a 44-yard field goal from Logan Thomas, both with under one minute to play.

EXTRA POINTS

w Har-Ber’s sideline became increasing crowded with injured players Friday night. Pianalto and Mathew stood in street clothes after being injured in last week’s game against Columbia (Mo.) Pianalto hyper extended his elbow while Mathew hurt his should.

They were joined by senior Tim Faubus, a backup running back who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament early in the game. Faubus was replaced by sophomore Luke Hannon, who was promoted to varsity after playing in a junior varsity game Monday night.

w Fort Smith Southside senior quarterback Isaac Jackson and junior linebacker Ian Jackson are sons of Ike Jackson, a former quarterback at Oklahoma State. Ike Jackson played for three years with the Cowboys and completed 137 of 273 passes for 1,630 yards and 8 touchdowns. Isaac Jackson has received scholarship offers from Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe, among others.

w Fort Smith Southside and Fort Smith Northside will rejoin the 7A-West next season for the 2014-2016 reclassification cycle. The two schools will replace Van Buren and Siloam Springs, which will likely move to the 7A/6A-Central Conference.

w Har-Ber cornerback Holden Thornton delivered one of the best hits of the game when he upended quarterback Isaac Jackson. Holden went low on Jackson, who fumbled before landing hard on the turf. Southside recovered an added a 25-yard field goal by Logan Thomas.

UP NEXT: Both teams will begin conference play on the road next week. Har-Ber will play at Bentonville in a 7A/6A-West Conference game while Southside travels to Little Rock for a 7A/6A-Central matchup with Parkview.

HOW THEY SCORED

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 35

FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 27

Har-Ber^7^7^14^7^— ^35

Southside^7^20^0^0^— ^27

FIRST QUARTER

SOUTH — Jackson 50 run (Thomas kick), 10:06.

HARB — Vitt 8 pass from Daniels (O’Brien kick), 5:00.

SECOND QUARTER

SOUTH — Whitfield 2 run (Thomas kick), 9:12.

HARB — Scott 15 pass from Daniels (O’Brien kick), 5:40.

SOUTH — FG Thomas 25, 3:05.

SOUTH — Barley 15 pass from Jackson (Thomas kick), 0:39.

SOUTH — FG Thomas 44, 0:07

THIRD QUARTER

HARB — Hannon 2 run (O’Brien kick), 7:36.

HARB — Scott 43 pass from Daniels (O’Brien kick), 1:04.

FOURTH QUARTER

HARB — Hannon 7 run (O’Brien kick), 9:32.

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