Rams block their way to victory

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 victory in Reynolds Razorback Stadium, blocking three punts and recording several tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including one for a safety.

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 victory 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 pass to cap a 62-yard opening drive with 10:33 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 pass 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.

MIDLAND CHRISTIAN (TEXAS) 56, HIGHLAND 7

Midland Christian (Texas) earned its 27th consecutive victory Monday night, taking care of Midland at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Midland led 35-0 at halftime. Gary Powell scored on touchdown runs of 17 and 30 yards in the first half.

Highland's only touchdown came with 6:53 remaining in the third quarter on Reid Maag's 71-yard touchdown pass to Deon Stewart.

Sports on 09/02/2014

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