Jackrabbits get much-needed win, rout Southerners

The Lonoke Jackrabbits make a stop in the first half against Southside Batesville. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits were in dire need of a victory. They got just what the doctor ordered.

Lonoke improved to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in 4A-2 league play with a 40-6 win over Southside Batesville on Friday night at James B. Abraham Stadium. Lonoke had three consecutive games prior to Friday's win. 

"We've played some good teams so far this year," Lonoke coach Doug Bost said. "We just haven't been able to put four quarters together. We're good to halftime then seem to fall off. It's been frustrating. We haven't been able to run the ball. We made a point to come out and run it tonight."

Lonoke had 217 yards rushing in the first half as the Jackrabbits led 20-0. A severe thunderstorm hit the area while the Lonoke High School band was performing Ozzy Osborne's "Crazy Train" when the game was stopped. 

After more than an hour delay, the Jackrabbits continued to run the ball with extreme confidence as they pushed the lead to 40-0 with 1:57 left in the third quarter.

"I'm real proud of the offensive line for us being able to run the ball tonight," Bost said. "It's been a struggle to run the football. Last week it was 42 yards. The week before was 64 yards. Our offense starts with us being able to run the ball. That opens up the passing game. We really didn't have to throw the ball tonight because we had two running backs running the ball hard for us tonight."

Through three quarters, the Jackrabbits rushed for 341 yards. Josh Coleman led Lonoke with 133 yards rushing on 17 carries. Justin Meadows had 86 yards on six carries. Devin Mosley had 76 yards on nine carries.

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree completed 4 of 8 passes for 49 yards. Logan Dozier caught two passes for 26 yards. Meadows caught two passes for 23 yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, Lonoke took a 6-0 lead on a 27-yard run by Coleman with 11:13 left in the first half. The score was set up by a long interception return by Trey Bevis. 

Lonoke pushed its lead to 14-0 when Meadows scored on a 40-yard run with 8:07 left in the first half. Dozier scored the two-point conversion. 

Rountree scored the third touchdown of the half on a 39-yard run with 2:30 left, making the score 20-0. 

Lonoke scored three times in the third quarter. Coleman scored on a 5-yard run with 10:12 left to make the score 26-0. Coleman scored on a 19-yard run with 2:23 left. The final score came when Chandler Elmore returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown with 1:57 left. Meadows scored the two-point conversion. 

Southside's only score came on a 40-yard pass from Josh Millikin to Lucas Branscum with 2:05 left in the game. 

Lonoke will host West Helena next week at James B. Abraham Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.

Lonoke's Logan Dozier carries the ball after catching a pass against Southside. 

Lonoke backup quarterback Will Miller, 10, fakes a handoff to Joe Carter in the fourth quarter.