CONWAY -- Springdale High stunned Conway with two first-quarter touchdowns, then held off a late Wampus Cats rally for a 37-30 victory in its season opener Friday night at John McConnell Stadium.
The Bulldogs, avenging a 42-7 loss to Conway last season in the 7A playoffs, took a 37-23 lead after trailing 16-14 at the half after the Wampus Cats scored 16 straight points, including a safety after a bad snap.
McCall Dail's 85-yard punt return pulled the Cats with 37-30.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Full results + recaps, photos and more]
Trying to run out the clock, Springdale fumbled the ball away at midfield with 55 seconds left. The Wampus Cats drove to the 35 with four seconds left and quarterback Andrew Hreha threw incomplete in the end zone as time expired. However, Conway got another chance when the Bulldogs were called for pass interference. Hreha passed incomplete on the extra play to end the game.
The Bulldogs intercepted three passes. Quarterback L̶a̶n̶e̶ ̶H̶u̶t̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ Layne Hutchins* and running back Erick Mendez kept the Conway defense off balance the entire game, including drives for touchdowns on their first two possessions.
Sports on 09/03/2016
*CORRECTION: Springdale High quarterback Layne Hutchins’ name was misspelled in this game report.