By Rick Fires
[email protected] • @NWARick
That Figures
(-6) — Yards on completed pass from Brandon Still to Sione Nasilia
78 — Receiving yards for Har-Ber
153 — Rushing yards by Luke Hannon, who had 23 carries
167 — Receiving yards for Conway’s Brock Mitchell, who caught 10 passes
SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber broke in its new stadium by scoring the first and last touchdown in Friday's game.
The problem was what happened in between.
Conway reeled off 31 consecutive points to defeat Har-Ber 31-15 in the first game at Har-Ber's $5.5 million stadium. Har-Ber started off strong when sophomore Trey Smith led a fast-moving drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Sione Nasilia. But the Wildcats didn't cross the goal line again until Nasilia scored on a 2-yard run with 5:01 left in the game. Meanwhile, Conway quarterback Breylin Smith diced up the Har-Ber defense for 349 yards passing, including 10 catches for 167 yards by Brock Mitchell.
Har-Ber (0-3) used three quarterbacks -- Smith, Brandon Still, and Caleb Daniels -- but could not generate much offense besides the opening drive. The three combined to complete 6 of 15 passes for 78 yards.
"We've got to be able to throw the ball a little bit to help our running game," Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "A couple of times we had receivers behind them and we don't complete those passes. But I'll own that. It's my fault for not having our guys ready, offensively."
PLAY OF THE NIGHT:Junior linebacker Michael Neil earned Har-Ber's first turnover of the year when he intercepted a pass from Smith in the third quarter. Neil dropped back into coverage and grabbed a deflection after a Conway receiver was hit by safety Austin Henderson.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Trey Smith led Har-Ber's first scoring drive out of the Wildcat formation. He also punted five times for a 39-yard average and saved a safety with a quick kick after the snap went over his head and into the end zone. Smith finished with 46 yards rushing on seven carries and he caught two passes for 11 yards.
NOTABLE: Luke Hannon rushed for 153 yards for Har-Ber after gaining 140 yards against Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst. ... Breylin Smith passed for 349 yards and two touchdowns for Conway after he passed for 337 yards and four scores as a sophomore against the Wildcats. ... Conway reached the state championship game in 1977 and 1993 and lost both times. ... The Wampus Cats finished 9-3 last year, including a 52-42 playoff victory over Har-Ber.
UP NEXT: Har-Ber begins 7A-West Conference play Friday at Rogers (1-2), which lost 37-21at Jefferson City, Mo. The Mounties beat the Wildcats last year, 59-42.
Sports on 09/21/2014