SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber coach Chris Wood will long remember his 100th career victory.
That’s because his team rallied from a 13-point deficit with key starters missing and beat Fort Smith Southside 35-27 at Jim Rowland Stadium. Third-string running back Luke Hannon, who didn’t know he was playing until Tuesday, led the surge with 134 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 31 carries.
Junior backup quarterback Caleb Daniels added three touchdown passes for Har-Ber, which outscored Southside 21-0 in the second half. Hannon put the Wildcats up for good on a 7-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes, 32 seconds left to play.
“I am thankful for the players I’ve coached and my assistants,” said Wood, who has a combined 100-42-1record at Har-Ber, Nashville, and Shiloh Christian.”They are the reason I’m at 100 wins.”
Har-Ber scored in the second half on touchdown runs of 2 and 7 yards by Hannon and a 43-yard pass play from Daniels to Camden Scott. The Wildcats’ defense contributed greatly to the comeback by holding Southside scoreless in the second half. Tyler Horstman had an interception to stop a drive and Holden Thornton made a sure tackle on a receiver when Southside failed on fourth down with 32 seconds left in the game. Ben O’Brien also delivered a 63-yard punt to push Southside back to its own 20 on its final possession.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: It’s not often a team can get a 100-yard rushing performance from a sophomore playing in his first varsity game. That’s what Hannon did for the Wildcats at a tough place to play Friday. Hannon had one fumble but he displayed poise and running ability, especially on a sharp cut that resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run to put Har-Ber ahead 35-27 in the fourth quarter.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Daniels was much-improved from last week with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. The biggest play came with 1 minute, 4 seconds left in the third quarter when he found Camden Scott for a 43-yard touchdown pass to tie the score. Ben O’Brien added the extra point to give Har-Ber a 28-27 lead.
INJURY UPDATE: Senior Tim Faubus is likely done for the year after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament early in the game. Faubus was subbing for Sain Mathew, who has a hurt shoulder. Mathew and quarterback Kyle Pianalto could return for Friday’s 7A/6A-West Conference opener at Bentonville.
NOTABLE: Southside was called for nine penalties for 98 yards, including pass interference and personal fouls penalties that kept Har-Ber’s winning drive alive in the fourth quarter. … Senior Jake Hall had a strong game for Har-Ber with nine tackles at defensive end. Linebackers Hunter Carmean (11) and Hunter Banks (10) combined for 21 tackles to lead the Wildcats. … Southside will begin its final year in the 7A/6A-Central Conference with Friday’s game at Little Rock Parkview.
THAT FIGURES
100 — Career victories for Chris Wood, who’s coached for eight years at Har-Ber, one year at Nashville, and three years at Shiloh Christian
102 — Receiving yards by Camden Scott, who caught five passes and two touchdowns
134 — Rushing yards for sophomore Luke Hannon, who began the year as a third-string running back