FORT SMITH -- Fort Smith Northside's defense proved optimistic Friday night as Pine Bluff gave them gift after gift.
The Grizzlies took advantage of six Zebra turnovers to open the season with a 26-15 victory at Mayo-Thompson Stadium Friday night.
"Is six turnovers what we had tonight?" Pine Bluff Coach Bobby Bolding asked. "We stunk it up on offense, but [Northside] had a lot to do with that. Northside is a much improved team. We didn't play well."
Second-year Northside Coach Mike Falleur said he has been looking for that signature victory for his program and this was it.
"They have worked so hard and needed something good to happen," Falleur said. "Last year, when we had a chance to win, we did not make the plays. This year we made those plays. I am so proud of our whole football team. They played great."
The Zebras were ranked No. 4 overall by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Northside running back Justin Curry gained 147 yards on 28 carries and a score while defensive back Kiondre Thomas had three interceptions to lead the defense. The three interceptions were converted into 17 Northside points. In all, Northside scored 23 points off Zebra miscues.
"The turnovers killed us all night," Bolding said. "We could never get any momentum. Like I said, the credit goes to Northside's defense."
The Grizzlies also controlled the ball much of the second half, thanks to 276 rushing yards.
"Everybody played well on offense," Falleur said. "We kind of shot ourselves in the foot in the first half getting just field goal instead of touchdowns. We told them in the locker room that we have to play like the score is 0-0."
Northside took control of the game in the third period after its special teams recovered a muffed Pine Bluff punt at the Zebra 15. Three plays later, Curry scored from 9 yards out to give the Grizzlies a 19-7 lead with 3:30 left in the quarter.
Thomas' third interception killed a Zebra drive at the Grizzlies 7 and Northside marched 93 yards in 8 plays, keyed by a 52-yard run by reserve back Luke Bolton. Quarterback Grant Hood scored on a 15-yard keeper, giving the Bears a commanding 26-7 lead with 11:27 left in the game.
Northside took advantage of two first-half interceptions, both by Thomas, for 10 points to take a 13-7 halftime lead over Pine Bluff.
One the opening play, Thomas intercepted a LaDarius Skelton pass and returned it to the Zebra 10. After a Northside penalty moved the ball to the 25, the Grizzlies scored six plays later on a 9-yard keeper by Grant Hood for a 7-0 lead with 8:40 left in opening quarter. A second interception in the period led to a Henry Araujo 20-yard field goal for a 10-0 edge.
The Zebras added a score late in the first quarter on a 3-yard Skelton keeper to get within 10-7. Skelton rushed for 99 yards on 15 carries and passed for 224 more, but the four interceptions were too much to overcome.
The victory was Northside's first over Pine Bluff since 2011
NO. 7 JONESBORO 51, VALLEY VIEW 0
JONESBORO — Brian Mitchell scored three touchdowns as Jonesboro (1-0) downed Valley View (0-1). Carson Coats passed to C.J. Neal for a touchdown. Deavion Binon and Kylon Tate each rushed for touchdowns. Will Brant added a field goal.
Sports on 09/06/2014