BENTONVILLE - The pass play was designed for Jimmie Jackson to gain a few yards, just enough to keep Bentonville’s drive alive.
The senior receiver did that and a lot more, catching the pass from Kasey Ford and turning it into a 46-yard touchdown pass as the Tigers went on to score 24 consecutive points in a 45-20 victory over Springdale Har-Ber in the 7A/6A-West Conference opener at Tiger Stadium.
Jackson cut to his left and caught the pass near the Wildcats 32, then pulled away from Har-Ber’s defender. It was clear sailing after that, and Bennett Moehring’s extra point gave Bentonville (2-2, 1-0) a 28-20 lead with 2 minutes, 31 seconds left in the third quarter.
Jackson also caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Ford in the first quarter.
“When you get the ball to your playmakers, you’re hoping they will make plays like that,” Bentonville Coach Barry Lunney said. “We had several big plays on offense.”
Bentonville then turned turnovers into points to pull away from Har-Ber (2-2, 0-1).
Luke Hannon had the ball stripped from his hands on the ensuing kickoff, and Hunter Holzhauser grabbed it in midair for the Tigers. Ford, who finished the game with four touchdown passes, followed a penalty by hitting Hunter Smithpeters with a 28-yard scoring strike with 2:01 left in the third quarter.
Cody Scroggins’ interception in the fourth quarter led to Moehring’s 47-yard field goal with 2:27 remaining, and Colton Ross’ interception and return to the Har-Ber 9 set up Dylan Smith’s touchdown run on the following play.
Springdale Har-Ber quarterback Kyle Pianalto used two long passes to turn a 21-6 halftime deficit into a one-point game in the third quarter. He hit Gus Vitt with a 49-yard touchdown pass with 7:24 left in the third quarter, then connected with Camden Scott from the same distance just two minutes later.
Dylan Smith had two rushing touchdowns for Bentonville. They covered 9 and 55 yards. Scroggins also caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ford.
FAYETTEVILLE 45, VAN BUREN 21
VAN BUREN - Quarterback Mitch Marshall passed for 326 yards and four touchdowns as Fayetteville (4-0, 1-0) defeated Van Buren (1-3, 0-1) at Blakemore Field.
Luke Rapert led Fayetteville’s rushing attack with 86 yards. Javonte Smith had 38 yards and a touchdown, and Nico Suarez ran for another touchdown.
Tyrone Joseph had a 66-yard touchdown run for Van Buren.
SPRINGDALE 32, ROGERS 28
SPRINGDALE - Drake Wymer’s leaping, 24-yard touchdown reception in the final seconds gave Springdale (3-1, 1-0) a victory over Rogers (3-1, 0-1) at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
Wymer, 6-6, out jumped Fuller Chandler with 1 second remaining. Springdale originally lined up to attempt a game-tying 41-yard field goal, but Rogers called a timeout with 8 seconds remaining, and the Bulldogs decided to go for the victory instead.
Springdale’s Deandre Murray ran for a season-high 316 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries. He had touchdown runs of 77, 65 and 48 yards.
Rogers quarterback Ty Galyean carried 23 times for 140 yards and 3 touchdowns.
ROGERS HERITAGE 42, SILOAM SPRINGS 7
ROGERS - Joey Saucier caught three touchdown passes to lead Rogers Heritage (3-1, 1-0) past Siloam Springs (1-2-1, 0-1) at Gates Stadium.
Saucier caught seven passes from quarterback Josh Qualls for 228 yards, including touchdown receptions that covered 17, 29 and 69 yards. Saucier also batted down a Siloam Springs pass in the end zone to close out the first half.
Qualls completed 18 of 22 passes for 325 yards and 5 touchdowns with 1 interception. Rogers Heritage running back Brandon Gates had 122 yards rushing.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/28/2013