SPRINGDALE 24, LR PARKVIEW 21
SPRINGDALE -- The hometown Bulldogs put the ball in the end zone twice in the final 3:54 on Friday night to pull off a come-from-behind 24-21 victory over Little Rock Parkview in a Class 7A battle at Jerrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
"I'm just proud of our guys, because they never gave up or quit fighting," Springdale Coach Zak Clark. "Like I just told our team, if there is a team that deserves to win, and win like that, it's us.
"Parkview has a phenomenal team, and they played really hard, but our guys just found a way to get it done at the end."
The Patriots (0-1) were up 21-9 and driving into Springdale territory midway through the fourth quarter. But a fumbled snap was recovered by the Bulldogs at their own 33 with 6:33 to play in the game.
"It wasn't looking good there late when they were up 21-9 and running the ball," Clark said. "But we get that fumble, and it just changed the game."
With the help of two 15-yard penalties, Springdale (1-1) scored with 3:54 left to cut the lead to 21-16. Ladarius Wonsley hauled in an 8-yard strike from quarterback Conner Hutchins.
The Bulldogs' defense swarmed Parkview tailback James Jointer for a 17-yard loss at the 2 to begin the ensuing drive, leading to a short punt. Springdale took over at the Patriots' 40.
Tailback Gilberto Dominguez was the workhorse on the final drive, carrying the ball four times for 22 yards, including a 1-yard plunge to give the Bulldogs the lead with 1:49 left. Dominguez finished with 114 yards on 25 carries.
"It's just so amazing," Dominguez said afterward. "This was just a team commitment. We've worked our butts off, and you can't do it without a team. I love this team."
Wonsley was Springdale's go-to man through the air, catching 15 passes for 183 yards. None was bigger than the one just shy of the goal line that led to the winning score.
"All we have to do is just keep our faith and have confidence in what we do," Wonsley said. "I feel like if I'm playing bad, the team is playing bad, so I've got to keep playing like a leader."
Springdale took the opening kickoff and melted the first 6:59 off the clock with a 19-play drive. But after three chances inside the 10-yard line, the Bulldogs had to settle for an 18-yard Jesus Oropeza field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
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Sports on 09/07/2019