PREP FOOTBALL: Criswell's return sparks Morrilton

FARMINGTON -- When Morrilton junior quarterback Jacolby Criswell went down with a knee injury in August, he wasn't expected to return this season.

One of the state's top recruits in the 2020 class thought otherwise.

Morrilton 52, Farmington 30

Morrilton 17 14 14 7 — 52

Farmington 7 14 9 0 — 30

First Quarter

Mor—Clemons 13 run (Arias kick), 10:43

Mor—Clemons 3 run (Arias kick), 5:32

Farm—Sturgeon 79 pass from Hill (Sturgeon kick), 4:22

Mor—FG Arias 27, 1:39

Second Quarter

Mor—Clemons 15 run (Arias kick), 10:42

Farm—Watson 19 pass from Hill (Sturgeon kick), 8:31

Farm—Mayo 55 pass from Hill (Sturgeon kick), 7:09

Mor—Clemons 4 run (Arias kick), 4:11

Third Quarter

Mor—Wofford 20 pass from Criswell (Arias kick), 10:32

Farm—Safety, 6:47

Far—Mayo 17 pass from Hill (Sturgeon kick), 3:17

Mor—Toney 64 pass from Criswell (Arias kick), 2:32

Fourth Quarter

Mor—Criswell 22 run (Arias kick), 2:37

Criswell made his season debut Friday night and led the Devil Dogs to a 52-30 road win at Farmington.

"I had my brothers out here telling me I got this, so I just played for them," Criswell said. "I was still kinda worried about my leg, so I just stayed in the pocket more and rode everything out."

While Criswell was expected to rotate with senior quarterback Dylan Wright, Criswell played in 10 of the offense's 12 possessions. He finished 18 for 26 passing for 297 yards and two touchdowns, which both came in the second half. He also showed off his legs on a 22-yard run late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, despite wearing a bulky knee brace that slowed him down.

"Everything was covered, so I just saw some space to the left and took off," Criswell said. "I was a little slow. I'll admit it. I was a little slow. This brace is not gonna do it, but it worked, and I got the touchdown."

The scoreboard belonged to junior running back Xaviar Clemons in the first half, as he scored four rushing touchdowns before halftime. He finished with 23 carries for 139 yards.

"I just go in the game ready to play," Clemons said. "There were a lot of holes. I just tried to get my team a win and did my part."

Criswell referenced a modern NFL quarterback-halfback duo when discussing what he and Clemons bring each game.

"We're the Cowboys ... I'm Dak, he's Ezekiel. That's how we see it," Criswell said.

Farmington senior quarterback Eric Hill showed that Criswell wasn't the only capable quarterback on the field, as he kept his Cardinals in it for most of the game. He threw for 474 yards and four touchdowns on the night. Junior receiver Drew Sturgeon hauled in nine catches for 201 yards and a score.

"That's a team that can score," said Morrilton coach Cody McNabb of Farmington. "They were able to get some balls over our head and make some big plays. They've played really well against everybody. They just haven't been able to get over the hump."

Had Criswell not played, the final score may have been different. The dual-threat quarterback, who has offers from Arkansas, Georgia, Ole Miss and North Carolina State, among others, wore a Razorback shirt under his jersey during the game.

When asked whether that was a statement, his response was short but telling.

"Stay tuned," he said.

Sports on 10/27/2018

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