Football: Lakeside Overpowers Lincoln, 36-0

STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Hot Springs Lakeside receiver Cody Cockrell, top, celebrates Monday with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Lincoln during the first half at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Hot Springs Lakeside receiver Cody Cockrell, top, celebrates Monday with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Lincoln during the first half at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE --Brock Johnson pumped his fists and celebrated as his Hot Springs Lakeside teammates pounded him on the helmet.

Johnson was as much a part of Lincoln's backfield as any of the Wolves were Monday in Lakeside's 36-0 win in Reynolds Razorback Stadium, blocking three punts and recording several tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including one for a safety.

How They Scored

Hot Springs Lakeside 36, Lincoln 0

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Lincoln^0^0^0^0^—^0

First Quarter

Lake — Cockrell 13 pass from Smedley (kick fails), 10:33.

Lake — Safety, 7:02.

Lake — Westfall 12 pass from Smedley (Gaston kick), 2:11.

Second Quarter

Lake — Housley 1 run (Gaston kick), 9:31.

Lake — Uzick 23 run (Gaston kick), 7:37.

Lake — Dean 4 pass from Smedley (Gaston kick), 3:15.

The Rams (1-0) converted the blocked punts into points and held the Wolves (0-1) t0 minus 7 yards of offense in the first half to cruise to a mercy-rule win in the season opener.

"It just seemed like if it could go wrong it did," Lincoln coach Scott Davenport said. "Our first two punts were blocked, and it just snowballed from there. There's not a whole lot of good things you can take from that."

Lakeside, a Class 5A school, scored on its first possession of the game as quarterback Clint Smedley hit Cody Cockrell on a 13-yard touchdown strike to cap a 62-yard opening drive with 10 minutes, 33 seconds left in the first quarter.

Johnson's first punt block did not result in points for Lakeside, but his tackle of Lincoln's Charles Rowe did as he stopped Rowe in the end zone for a safety and an 8-0 lead. His second punt block ultimately led to the Rams' second touchdown as Smedley hit Clint Westfall on a 12-yard strike and a 15-0 lead.

"It was a good team effort for us. We played hard on both sides of the ball," Lakeside coach Jared McBride said. "We knew it was was going to be warm, so we tried to limit our kids as much as we could on both sides. But the kids played hard, and they played well. The defense played fantastic, and it makes it a whole lot easier on your offense when you're starting with short fields."

Both teams were plagued by penalties in the first half. A combined 19 penalties for 183 yards were called in the first half, including nine major penalties.

Lakeside scored three times in the second quarter, including a 23-yard burst by Beau Uzick.

The Rams' defense dominated the entire game. Lincoln could not find much running room against the larger Rams defenders.

"We knew they didn't cross the 50-yard line until late," McBride said. "I'm really proud of coach (Ryan) Wallace and his staff for getting the kids playing hard. You have to tip your hat to those guys."

Davenport, who was hired this spring to replace Brad Harris as the Wolves coach, said his team will have to learn to play through adversity.

"We've got a young team, but we have to just keep fighting," Davenport said.

Extra Points

• Lakeside coach McBride is in his fifth season with the Rams. McBride was formerly the offensive coordinator at Fayetteville.

• Lincoln returns just seven starters from last season's 11-2 team that advanced to the third round of the Class 4A state playoffs, the best season in program history.

• Smedley finished the night 9 of 12 passing for 150 yards and three touchdowns for Lakeside.

• The Wolves finished with just 58 yards of offense, including minus 5 rushing yards.

Up Next: Lincoln will return to action on the road next week at Keys, Okla. The Wolves are also on the road the following week to complete the nonconference portion of their schedule. Lakeside will host Sylvan Hills next Friday.

Sports on 09/02/2014

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