Jr. Rabbits hold on to beat Beebe 8-6

Lonoke's Michael Hodges head to the end zone for a two-point conversion
in the Junior Rabbits' 8-6 win over Beebe
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits broke a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter then held out Beebe for a potential game-tying two-point conversion to beat the Junior Badgers 8-6 in the season opener Thursday night at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke recovered a Beebe fumble at the 50-yard line with 4:08 left in the game. From there, Lonoke's Michael Hodges carried the ball 10 straight times as he scored on a 1-yard run with 39.8 seconds left. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.

Beebe seemed to be dead in the water, facing third down with 8 seconds left. The Junior Badgers lined up in punt formation but it lead to a fake with Bailey Dillon racing 73 yards for a touchdown with no time remaining. Lonoke then stopped Beebe on the two-point conversion, giving the Junior Jackrabbits the win.

"We've tried to instill in these kids … to play a four-quarter ball game," second-year Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "They showed a lot of heart. We knew it was going to be a tough game with Beebe. It always is because they are very physical. Our kids responded."

Lowery gave credit to the offensive line for the game-winning drive.

"They put the team on their back, and pounded it in, getting the touchdown and the two points, which proved to be the difference," Lowery said. 

Hodges rushed for 77 yards on 18  carries.

Lonoke will travel to Little Rock to play Little Rock Christian next week. 

"It was a real sloppy game," Lowery said of the season opener. "We've got a lot of mistakes we can correct. A lot of good things can come from watching the film. We will be ready to go for next week."

Lonoke's Myke Williams [5] tackles Beebe's Isaac Curry.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)