FORT SMITH - Springdale Har-Ber was in trouble Friday night, trailing by 13 points at halftime and with its starting quarterback and running back out with injuries.
So third-string sophomore Luke Hannon took over to lead Har-Ber to a 35-27 comeback victory over Fort Smith Southside at Jim Rowland Stadium.
Hannon rushed for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns on 32 carries as the Wildcats outscored Southside 21-0 in the second half.
Har-Ber (2-1) played without quarterback Kyle Pianalto and running back Sain Mathew, who were 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 Springdale Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood, who earned his 100th career victory with the Wildcats. “Caleb managed the game well, and I was real proud of Luke and what he did.
“We put a lot on the offensive line, and they came through for us.”
The Rebels 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 6:57 left to play.
Southside also was called for two penalties that helped Har-Ber take a 35-27 lead on a 7-yard run by Hannon.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/21/2013