DAHANEH. Afghanistan — Springdale High got exactly what it was looking for Friday night.
After a disappointing loss at Lake Hamilton last week, the Red’Dogs defense stepped up to the challenge and guided their team to a 24-17 nonconference victory over North Little Rock in Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
Springdale (2-1) not only got the plays it needed on offense, especially in the second quarter, it finished with five fumble recoveries and one interception to keep the Charging Wildcats (1-2) from ever gaining any substantial momentum.
“We talked a lot about when people come inside the city limits of Springdale, we’re going to kick the crap out of them,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “We’re still not doing all the things we need to do, but we’ve come a long ways in a few short months.”
Trailing by three points early in the second quarter, Springdale tied the game after senior defensive lineman Michael Wright intercepted a pass from North Little Rock quarterback Kaylon Cooper. Wright returned the interception to the North Little Rock 5, setting up a 24-yard field goal from Christian Garcia.
The Red’Dogs went on to score two more touchdowns in the quarter, including a 22-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Joseph Calcagni to receiver Henry Hernandez, to take a 17-3 halftime lead.
Both of Springdale’s touchdowns were setup after fumbles by North Little Rock’s Altee Tenpenny and Cooper, respectively.
Calcagni completed 18 of 24 passes for 128 yards, while junior running back Rahmon Taylor had 20 carries for 59 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“There’s really not much I can say,” North Little Rock coach Brad Bolding said. “I’ve been on both sides of an outcome like that. You just can’t have that many turnovers and expect to win. That’s really the bottom line.”
Springdale led 24-3 early in the third quarter after a 10-yard touchdown run from Taylor before the Charging Wildcats finally mounted a comeback.
North Little Rock recovered a Springdale fumble to regain possession midway through the third quarter and put together an eight-play drive, ending with a 2-yard touchdown run from Tenpenny.
The Charging Wildcats, who rushed for 136 yards, scored their last touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run from Dalton Dunlap.
“Our kids came out with a purpose to prove (Friday),” Springdale defensive coordinator Eric Middleton said. “We proved that we can play. We created some turnovers, and that was a big part of the game.
“We needed a game like this, especially after last week against Lake Hamilton. We bounced back, got some confidence and it’s going to be critical going into next week.”
Prep Football
Nonconference
SPRINGDALE HIGH 24, NORTH LITTLE ROCK 17
NLR 3 0 7 7 — 17
Springdale 0 17 7 0 — 24
First Quarter
North — FG Land 27, 1:29.
Second Quarter
Spring — FG Garcia 24, 9:29.
Spring — Hernandez 22 pass from Calcagni (Garcia kick), 5:17.
Spring — Taylor 1 run (Garcia kick), 1:58.
Third Quarter
Spring — Taylor 10 run (Garcia kick), 8:54.
North — Tenpenny 2 run (Block kick), 4:18.
Fourth Quarter
North — Dunlap 7 run (Block kick), 9:04.