Football: Wood Still Upbeat Despite Har-Ber Losses

SPRINGDALE -- Allowing 88 points in two games hasn't diminished much the outlook for Springdale Har-Ber coach Chris Wood.

Wood took his hat off and briefly rubbed his head before meeting with his players after a 46-22 defeat at Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst. But he spoke mostly positively about his team, which was competitive for much of the first half against the Hawklets (3-1), who are a longtime regional football powers in Missouri's largest classification.

That Figures

4 — Touchdown passes for Rockhurst quarterback T.J. Green. He completed 16 of 25 attempts for 366 yards.

5 — Turnovers by Har-Ber. The Wildcats lost three fumbles and quarterback Brandon Still threw an interception in the fourth quarter.

83 — Yards on the touchdown pass from Brandon Still to Tyler Blackston.

1,045 — Total yards Har-Ber has allowed in two games.

It was the second consecutive trip into Missouri for the Wildcats, who lost 42-13 to Webb City in their season opener. Webb City is ranked No. 1 and the Cardinals are the defending state champions in Missouri's Class 4A. Rockhurst is No. 5 in Class 6A in Missouri.

"We'll keep grinding," Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "We'll be all right. I'm not discouraged because our kids fought to the end. It hurts now, but these games will get us ready for conference."

Har-Ber has much to improve on after giving up 585 yards to the Hawlets and quarterback T.J. Green, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score. The Wildcats had some offensive production, including an 83-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Still to Tyler Blackston and a 49-yard touchdown run by Luke Hannon.

Har-Ber suffered five turnovers, including a fumble at the Rockhurst 16 in the second quarter when the outcome was still in doubt.

"Offensively, we moved the ball but shot ourselves in the foot too many times," Wood said. "We're down 21-14 and driving the ball, then we fumble. That was a big momentum changer because we were going to punch the ball in."

Plays of the Night: Har-Ber scored on a 99-yard drive after Trey Smith took a handoff on fourth down and ran 55 yards into Rockhurst territory. Tyler Blackston got behind the Rockhurst defense and scored on an 83-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brandon Still, who started at quarterback again for the Wildcats.

Player Of The Game: Luke Hannon rushed for 140 yards on 16 carries. He scored on a 49-yard run then caught a 2-point conversion pass to cut the Rockhurst lead to 40-22 early in the fourth quarter. Hannon had a 53-yard touchdown reception in Har-Ber's opener against Webb City.

Up Next: Har-Ber will host Conway Friday in its new stadium on campus. Conway eliminated Har-Ber from the playoffs last season, 52-42.

Sports on 09/14/2014

Upcoming Events