Lonoke gets biggest win in Taggart Moore era as coach

Lonoke's Davonta Adams rushed for 154 yards on 20 carries in the Jackrabbits' 28-21 win over Bald Knob. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

BALD KNOB — For the first time in three seasons, the Lonoke Jackrabbits beat a team with a winning record.

Lonoke, ranked 32nd in Class 4A by Hooten’s Arkansas Football, scored late to beat No. 17 Bald Knob 28-21 on Friday night. Lonoke is now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in 4A-2 play. The Bulldogs are 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. 

Lonoke took a 6-0 lead when Brayden Coble recovered a fumble in the end zone. The Jackrabbits missed the extra point.

Bald Knob took a 7-6 lead in the first quarter. Lonoke reclaimed the lead at 14-6, scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion by Dayton Smith.

Lonoke pushed it’s lead to 21-7 on a 3-yard run by Anthony Parks. Nick Tate added the extra point.

Bald Knob kicked a 25-yard field goal to make the score 21-10 at halftime. 

The Bulldogs scored 11 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 21-21.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead at 28-21 after a 99 yard scoring drive. Tate kicked the extra point to make the score 28-21 in the fourth quarter.

Bald Knob had two scoring chances, including driving the ball inside the Lonoke 5 but turned it over on downs. 

After a Lonoke punt, Bald Knob had one final shot but Lonoke’s Braidon Bryant intercepted a pass near the goal line to end the game. 

The Jackrabbits rushed for 458 yards on 51 carries. Davonta Adams had 154 yards on 20 carries. Bryant had 150 yards on 15 carries. He also scored a touchdown. Parks had 138 yards on 12 carries. He scored two touchdowns. 

Bryant completed 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards. Riley Miller caught two passes for 21 yards. 

Third-year Lonoke coach Taggart Moore said he was proud of his team’s play.

“I want to give credit to Bald Knob,” he said. “They are a well-coached team and play tough. Our kids came together and played as a family tonight.

“I was proud of our defense having three red-zone stands. I was also proud of our offense putting up big numbers in the run game.”

Dayton Smith led Lonoke with 18 tackles. Will McNeill had 15. Jackson Ward has 12. Antonio Earl had 10. Cable had nine. 

Lonoke hosts Southside Batesville this Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium. The Southerners are 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.