State sports briefs

FOOTBALL

HSU’s Rodgers runner-up for Hill Trophy

Kevin Rodgers didn’t win the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II ‘s best football player on Friday, but he came closer than any player from an Arkansas college has in year’s past.

Rodgers, who finished his career at Henderson State last month, finished second to Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan for the award that was announced from Florence, Ala., on Friday.

Vander Laan, who had 3,847 yards of total offense, finished with 152 total votes, and Rodgers had 143. Previously, the highest finisher for the award from an Arkansas school was Nick Graziano in 2009, when the Arkansas Tech quarterback finished third.

Vander Laan received 34 first-place votes, 20 second-place votes and 10 third.

Rodgers, who received 29 first-place votes, 21 second-place votes and 14 third-place votes, was a three-time finalist. He finished sixth in 2012 and third in 2013.

The Rockwall, Texas native finished as the most accomplished passer for a college quarterback in Arkansas. He passed for 13,678 yards, fifth all-time in Division II, while completing 66.5 percent of his passes and 124 touchdowns. He also led the Reddies to Great American Conference titles in 2012 and 2013 and to their first Division II playoff appearances in both of those seasons.

— Troy Schulte

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Bauxite hires Des Arc’s Prescott

Bauxite has hired Des Arc’s Dustin Prescott as its new head coach.

The move was made official Thursday night at the Bauxite School District’s board meeting.

Prescott led Des Arc to the Class 2A quarterfinals, where it lost to eventual state champion Junction City. He was 33-18 in four seasons at Des Arc.

Bauxite decided not to retain interim coach Mike Guthrie, who went 4-6 with the Miners in 2014.

— Jeremy Muck

Russellville’s Holt resigns

Russellville Coach Jeff Holt has resigned, Athletic Director Johnny Johnson said.

Holt was reassigned within the Russellville School District. He was 86-93-2 in 16 years at Russellville and finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the 7A/6A-Central Conference in 2014.

Johnson said that he would like to have a coach in place by the end of January.

— Jeremy Muck

BASKETBALL

Ozarks men lose to LeTourneau

The University of the Ozarks men lost 75-62 to LeTourneau University on Friday in Longview, Texas.

Kelby Robinson led Ozarks (4-5, 2-4 American Southwest Conference) with 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting. Jace Richardson had 10 points.

Ozarks women win on road

Taylor Farmer scored 21 of her game-high 26 points in the first half to lead the University of the Ozarks women to a 75-63 victory over LeTourneau University on Friday.

Bryanna Moltz scored 13 points while Jordana Andrews had 12 points for the Eagles (6-4, 3-3 American Southwest Conference).

Henderson State falls in Texas

Texas A&M-Commerce outscored Henderson State by 24 points in the second half to win 91-61 in Commerce, Texas, Friday night.

Texas A&M-Commerce, which led 38-32 at halftime, shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half while holding Henderson State to 37-percent shooting in the second half. Texas A&M-Commerce also outrebounded Henderson State 51-30 for the game and scored 44 points in the lane.

Micah Walker led Henderson State (6-5) with 18 points and seven rebounds.

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