7A/6 A-EAST

Cabot runs away from NLR

Zach Launius didn’t play last week against Conway because of a headache.

But he was a big headache for North Little Rock before a near-capacity crowd Friday night at North Little Rock Stadium.

Launius, a senior fullback/ halfback, rushed 39 times for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns in No. 6 Cabot’s 48-32 victory over top-ranked North Little Rock in the 7A/6A-East opener.

The Panthers (4-0) dominated both sides of the line and finished with 431 rushing yards on 65 attempts.

The Charging Wildcats (2-2) were playing their first game without star senior tailback Juan Day, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week at Pine Bluff.

North Little Rock rushed for only 65 yards as junior quarterback Heath Land threw on almost every down in the second half.

Land finished 26 of 47 for 334 yards and 4 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver K.J. Hill caught 8 passes for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns (88 and18 yards).

Cabot led 21-18 at halftime and took command during the first 13 minutes of the second half.

Launius, 5-6, 170 pounds, ran 36 yards for a touchdown with 8:06 left in the third quarter. Cabot recovered a fumble at the North Little Rock 23 on the Charging Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage in the third quarter.

Launius scored on a 1-yard run with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter. The lead grew to41-18 on a 51-yard touchdown run by senior halfback Chris Henry with 11:06 left to play.

Junior safety Jake Ferguson’s 10th career interception set up Cabot’s final touchdown - a 1-yard run by junior fullback Jack Whisker with 6:45 remaining.

Whisker, in Launius’ absence, ran 26 for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns in Cabot’s 23-9 victory over Conway.

But Panthers Coach Mike Malham fed a healthy Launius much more Friday.

“That’s child abuse there,” Malham said with a laugh when informed of Launius’ workload. “He’s not big, but he’s strong for his size. But he’s quick, boy. If he gets in the open, he’s got a chance.”

LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL 56, SEARCY 10

Logan Moragne scored three touchdowns and Tom Coulter added two scores to lead Little Rock Central (3-1, 1-0) over Searcy (1-3, 0-1).

Other Central scores came on a 66-yard touchdown run by Tyler Fountain and touchdowns from Trey James and Chronicle James.

Sports, Pages 26 on 09/28/2013

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