SHILOH CHRISTIAN 49, DARDANELLE 28
DARDANELLE -- The only number Connor Reece was sure about Friday night was six.
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It was the number of touchdown passes Shiloh Christian's senior quarterback threw while leading the Saints to a victory over Dardanelle in the Class 4A quarterfinals at Keenan Field.
Reece stood on the sidelines for the second half because his services weren't needed. He was more than effective in the opening 24 minutes as he completed 18 of 21 passes for 427 yards and 6 touchdowns, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jaret Russ one second before halftime to give Shiloh Christian (11-2) a 49-14 cushion.
"Our coaches did an awesome job of getting us ready," Reece said. "They had a great game plan, and we went out and just executed. The only number I knew about was the six. That one, I could keep count of."
Reece made sure everybody was getting involved in the offense as he hit five different receivers. Three Shiloh Christian players finished the game with five receptions -- two of them with more than 100 yards receiving -- and a trio of Saints each finished with a pair of touchdown catches.
Shiloh Christian started its opening possession on the 9, but it quickly moved the ball on Dardanelle (10-3). Reece connected with Broc Berus on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 7:36 left in the first quarter.
"I think that's two weeks in a row we've had to go 90 yards," Reece said. "But if we have to go 90 yards, then we'll go 90 yards. Our coaches always put us in the best spot to just execute."
Reece later hit Blake Thomson with touchdown passes of 41 and 5 yards to extend Shiloh Christian's lead to 21-0 before the first quarter ended. The Saints' defense then became involved in the scoring.
Dardanelle had a first and 10 at the Saints' 31 after recovering a fumble, but quarterback Elyas Carter threw what was ruled to be a lateral that eluded Dakota Rowland. The ball was headed for the Sand Lizards' sideline, but not before Josh Goodsole grabbed the ball on the bounce and headed the other way. Goodsole raced 65 yards for a touchdown, extending Shiloh Christian's lead to 28-0 with 2:52 before halftime.
It was one of five touchdowns scored before the first half ended as Carter threw touchdown passes of 17 and 37 yards to Jordan Metcalf. Reece hit Berus with a 72-yard touchdown, then added a 40-yard scoring pass to Russ before hitting Russ again to close out the first half.
The victory guarantees there will be at least on 1-4A Conference team in Little Rock for the Class 4A state championship game.
Sports on 11/26/2016