Central Arkansas Christian routed Mills 42-19 on Friday night in a 2-4A Conference matchup in North Little Rock.
CAC got on the board early, mounting a 73-yard drive capped off with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Palmer Gilbrech to Seth Crews.
On the ensuing possession, the Comets answered with a fourth-down, 45-yard touchdown run by quarterback Braelon Adams. The point-after attempt was blocked, leaving the score 7-6.
The Mustangs scored on their next possession on a similar pass play from Gilbrech to Crews, this time from 30 yards out, increasing their lead to 14-6.
The Mustangs' defense held the Comets on their next possession, but a fumble on the punt return gave Mills the ball back at midfield. CAC's defense held again, forcing a punt and giving the ball back to the offense at its 17. A few plays later, the Comets' Malik Bean intercepted a pass from Gilbrech at the 50 and returned it to CAC's 36 to end the quarter. Mills was unable to capitalize and was forced to punt.
CAC's offense scored in less than a minute. Gilbrech hit Gentry Miller for a 35-yard gain, followed by a pass to Eli Jenkins down to the 5. Miller then ran it in for the touchdown. The extra point made it 21-6.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Click here for more scores, recaps and photos]
The Mustangs' defense forced another punt. CAC drove the ball again with catch and runs by Krishaun Watson and Ethan DeMarco, then scored on a 19-yard pass from Gilbrech to John Dalton, making the score 28-6 with 5:30 left in the half.
On CAC's next possession, Gilbrech hit Miller on a screen pass, resulting in a 46-yard run to the end zone. The 35-6 score held until halftime.
The Mustangs continued their offensive show in the third quarter with a 65-yard drive to make it 42-6. Mills put up a fight in the fourth, with 34- and 49-yard touchdown runs by Adams, making the final 42-19.
"We ran the ball well, which we've been working on and trying to get better at," CAC Coach Tommy Shoemaker said. "We've got to be more balanced. We've been able to throw it. We've proven we can do that ... but we've got to be able to do both."
CAC (2-0, 3-2) plays host to Heber Springs next week. Mills (0-2, 0-5) plays host to Riverview.
Sports on 09/29/2018