WEST MEMPHIS -- Sylvan Hills ran out to a 21-0 lead and held on for a 31-23 victory over West Memphis on Friday night.
The Bears (2-4, 1-2 6A-East) took advantage of two West Memphis turnovers to run up a three-touchdown lead by the 8:52 mark of the second quarter.
Sophomore quarterback Corey Washington engineered two touchdown drives of less than 50 yards, and scored two touchdowns on quarterback sneaks before the Blue Devils (2-4, 1-2) could muster any significant offense.
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Sylvan Hills rushed for 142 yards in the first half and the Bears defense limited West Memphis to just 34 yards on the ground in the first two quarters.
After a fumble by Blue Devils quarterback Owens McConnell was recovered by Emmanuel Henry on the first offensive series of the night, the Bears turned the mistake into a 9-yard touchdown by running back Shajuan Esteen for a 7-0 lead.
Moments later, Domonic Samuel picked off McConnell's pass at the West Memphis 18. Three plays later, Washington scored on a 9-yard touchdown.
The visitors made it 21-0 early in the second quarter on another sneak by Washington.
West Memphis got some offense going on the ensuing possession, keyed by a 34-yard pass from McConnell to Nathan Watson. Five plays later, McConnell cut the Sylvan Hills lead to 21-7 with a 2-yard touchdown.
The Bears clung to a 21-0 halftime lead after West Memphis touchdowns on a 36-yard pass from McConnell to Jamual Crayton and a 7-yard touchdown by Cedric Loving.
Sylvan Hills stopped West Memphis cold in the second half and got a 36-yard field goal by Matthew Riley and a 1-yard touchdown run from Washington.
Sports on 10/12/2019