HOT SPRINGS - Senior Blakely Lawless rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, and Hot Springs Lakeside forced three turnovers to limit Malvern to a touchdown each half in a 20-14 victory in the Rams’ home opener Friday night at Austin Field.
With Lakeside (1-2) limited to just 4 first-half passing yards, Lawless’ 100 rushing yards in the first two quarters gave the Rams plenty of support. His biggest lift was an 80-yard touchdown run up the middle inside the final minute of the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7.
Lakeside quarterback Garrett Carson regrouped after halftime, leading a seven-play, 63-yard drive out of intermission by completing 4 of 4 passes for 61 yards. He found Marcus Fisher three times for 50 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown toss as the Rams grabbed a 14-7 lead.
Senior Tyler Rowland recovered fumbles to extinguish two second-half Malvern drives. The first was on a big hit by senior Charlie Hancock on Devin Bradford over the middle. He stripped the ball from Malvern quarterback Kaylen Burks and recovered for his second fumble recovery.
Lakeside cashed in both turnovers with Grant Gaston field goals from 33 and 35 yards, extending the lead to 20-7.
Burks led the Leopards (2-1) with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and 93 yards on 6-of-13 passing. His first score, a 28-yard run, gave Malvern a 7-0 lead with 5:13 left in the opening period, and his second was a 2-yard dive with 1:02 left in regulation, cutting the deficit to the final margin.
Bailey Sanders recovered the ensuing on-side kick, making Lakeside 4-0 in home openers under Coach Jared McBride.
Sports, Pages 28 on 09/21/2013