WEST MEMPHIS -- Quarterback Owens McConnell threw for four touchdowns as West Memphis remained unbeaten with a 35-14 victory over Jonesboro.
The Blue Devils (7-0, 4-0 6A-East Conference) used the big play to offset a sputtering ground game that saw them rush for only 92 yards.
The answer was provided by McConnell's right arm and the feet of senior receiver Devin Olloway, who caught two of McConnell's TD strikes covering 151 combined yards.
"The middle was wide open for the first half, and we just happened to hit on them," Olloway said. "Fortunately, I was able to get into space and use my speed."
West Memphis never trailed, going up 14-0 before the game was six minutes old. Olloway caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from McConnell after teammate Latavian Thomas, who rushed for 89 yards, opened the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown.
"[Jonesboro] was stacking the box on us, and they've got some really good defensive linemen," West Memphis Coach Billy Elmore said. "We weren't able to move them off the ball, but we hit some plays on them in the passing game."
The Hurricane (4-3, 3-1) sliced the West Memphis lead to one touchdown twice, the first time coming when sophomore running back Albert George ran for a 47-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 at halftime.
The Blue Devils set the tone in the second half as McConnell connected with Montique Hill for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give them a 21-7 lead.
Jonesboro got within one possession again when sophomore quarterback Cross Jumper threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Bates.
But McConnell gave his team more cushion with a 68-yard touchdown pass to Olloway. Later, McConnell connected on an 11-yard scoring pass to senior Jimmy Phillips with 6:34 to play.
McConnell connected on 13 of 23 passes for 312 yards and 2 interceptions.
Jumper finished 10-of-26 passing for 120 yards and 1 interception.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Click here for more scores, recaps and photos]
Sports on 10/13/2018