North Little Rock couldn't afford to get off to another slow start against Cabot on Friday in its playoff opener.
So, Coach Jamie Mitchell and offensive coordinator Blake Pizan decided to get the Charging Wildcats going early in their Class 7A second-round game against the Panthers.
North Little Rock trailed Cabot 21-3 in its regular-season finale Nov. 4 before winning 28-27. The Charging Wildcats had a first-round bye before facing the Panthers again Friday.
Instead, North Little Rock went to the air on the first play of the game.
Senior quarterback Trey Cox found junior wide receiver Deante Montgomery over the middle for an 80-yard touchdown pass that gave the Charging Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
Mitchell said he wanted to have more play-action passes against Cabot, compared to North Little Rock's previous game against the Panthers.
Cox and Montgomery were praised by Mitchell for their connection that gave North Little Rock a boost in the first minute of Friday's game.
"How about the throw from Trey Cox?" Mitchell said. "It was right on the money. We could not have gotten off to a better start. We had dreamed of it happening like that. But we didn't know. That got us off and running."
It was all Charging Wildcats from there in a commanding 49-19 victory over the Panthers that advanced North Little Rock to the Class 7A semifinals.
Cox completed 10 of 16 passes for 238 yards with 1 touchdown against Cabot. He's passed for 1,748 yards with 18 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 11 games this season.
Mitchell has shown confidence in Cox all season and there was no hesitation from the coach Friday against Cabot.
"He played lights out," Mitchell said.
North Little Rock (11-0) hosts Bryant (9-3) on Friday, with the winner advancing to the Class 7A state championship game Dec. 2 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Charging Wildcats won the teams' 7A-Central Conference meeting 38-7 on Oct. 28 in North Little Rock, but Mitchell knows it's a different game this time, especially with Bryant knocking off the 7A-West's No. 2 seed in Springdale Har-Ber last week.
"We have to have every hand on deck," Mitchell said. "We have to do some great things. We know that. I've been in the business a long time and beating somebody twice in one year is next to impossible. We did it [against Cabot] and we have to turn around and do it again [against Bryant] if we want to play for a state championship."
JOE T. ROBINSON
Senators not satisfied
Joe T. Robinson is in the Class 4A state quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
It's not the main goal for the Senators.
"We're not satisfied," Coach Todd Eskola said.
Robinson (11-1), the No. 2 seed from the 7-4A Conference, is the only team left from the 7-4A after Nashville, Ashdown, Mena and Arkadelphia were eliminated over the past two weeks. The Senators have earned victories over Pottsville and Southside Batesville, both at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock.
On Friday, the Senators take to the road for the first time in the playoffs, facing Warren (12-0), the No. 1 seed from the 8-4A Conference.
Robinson and Warren have never played each other in the playoffs, so Eskola is looking forward to the challenge. The winner will face Prairie Grove or Gosnell in the semifinals.
"It's one of those elite programs from across the state," Eskola said. "We're excited to be playing them."
The Senators have averaged 43.1 points per game this season, led by senior wide receivers Koilan Jackson (57 receptions, 1,206 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Nathan Page (40 receptions, 1,055 yards, 14 touchdowns). However, Eskola said the Senators haven't reached their full potential.
"We're playing better," Eskola said. "But I don't think we've played our best football yet. I hope we see that Friday. We've made a few early mistakes in games. We'd like to get that cut out."
DARDANELLE
Message comes through
Dardanelle entered the 2016 season as two-time 4-4A Conference champions.
But this season was different, as all-purpose player Chris Kershner graduated and coach Josh Price left for Stuttgart. Defensive coordinator Phil Vega took over as head coach in the spring, giving the program some familiarity after Price's departure.
However, Dardanelle started 2-2, with losses to Charleston and Dover. The 41-36 loss on Sept. 23 was the Sand Lizards' first conference defeat since 2013, leading Vega to send a message to his team after that game.
"We aren't good enough to throw our jocks on the field and expect to win," Vega recalled telling his team. "That this team was much different from the past couple years. We aren't blessed with several college football players; that this team would have to win games by working hard, playing as a team and earning each win. And I'm very proud of how we've played from that point in the season. I feel like we've gotten better each week."
Dardanelle (10-2) rebounded, winning its final six regular-season games to become the 4-4A champions for the third consecutive season. The Sand Lizards have defeated Helena West-Helena and Dumas so far in the Class 4A playoffs and will host Shiloh Christian on Friday in the quarterfinals.
Senior running back Dakota Rowland has rushed for 1,279 yards and 22 touchdowns on 198 carries to lead the Sand Lizards' offense.
"He's been outstanding," Vega said. "He's been the workhorse, for sure."
An eight-game winning streak for Dardanelle has put the Sand Lizards back among the top teams in Class 4A.
"Our kids are playing with a great deal of confidence," Vega said. "The kids have played at this time of the year the last three years. They've contributed a great deal."
EXTRA POINTS
With Nashville's 26-game winning streak snapped Friday against Pea Ridge, there are four teams in the state that share the state's longest current winning streak. Wynne (Class 5A), Warren (Class 4A), Prescott (Class 3A) and England (Class 2A) are all 12-0. Six teams are 11-0 -- North Little Rock (Class 7A), Greenwood (Class 6A), Prairie Grove (Class 4A), Charleston (Class 3A) and Danville and Hampton of Class 2A. ... Benton senior running back Brandon Hunter rushed for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Panthers' 56-52 Class 6A quarterfinal victory at Jonesboro. The Panthers are in the Class 6A semifinals for the third consecutive season and will be at Russellville on Friday. ... Prairie Grove senior quarterback Zeke Laird accounted for five touchdowns in the Tigers' 61-13 victory over Central Arkansas Christian in the Class 4A second round. Laird completed 7 of 9 passes for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns and also rushed for two touchdowns. Also, Laird made six extra-point attempts. Prairie Grove hosts Gosnell on Friday in the Class 4A quarterfinals. ... Centerpoint is in the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Knights defeated Bald Knob 30-21 in the Class 3A second round. Senior quarterback Keenan Owens completed 17 of 28 passes for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for a score. The Knights travel to Charleston on Friday.
Sports on 11/24/2016