Jackrabbits knock off No. 3 Bulldogs behind Meadows' 6 TDs (UPDATED)

Lonoke assistant coach Taggart Moore talks to his players during their scrimmage game with Maumelle 2 weeks ago. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo
Staff Writer

STAR CITY — The Lonoke Jackrabbits broke a four-game losing streak to Star City by beating the Bulldogs 38-27 in the season opener Friday night. 

Lonoke, ranked 10th in Class 4A by Hooten's Arkansas Football, was its first win in a season opener since beating Star City 38-29 at Golden Lions Stadium in Pine Bluff in 2010. The Bulldogs were ranked third. 

Lonoke senior running back/defensive back Justin Meadows had one of the best games in recent memory as he was responsible for all six Jackrabbits touchdowns in the win Friday night.

Meadows ran for three, threw a touchdown pass, return a punt for a touchdown and returned a fumble for a touchdown. 

"The start of the game for him was a great start," Lonoke coach Doug Bost said. "He was just on the other night. He showed up in all three phases. I couldn't be more pleased for him. He's a huge part of our success."

Lonoke got on the board when Meadows scored on a 73-yard run with 10:46 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 6-0.

Meadows struck again about a minute later returning a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown. The extra point failed, leaving the score at 12-0.

Star City got on the board when quarterback Tye Brown scored on a draw play from 17 yards out. Andy Magana kicked the extra point to make the score 12-7. 

The Jackrabbits pushed its lead to 20-7 when Meadows threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Casey Martin with 4:45 left in the first half. Meadows scored the two-point conversion.

A few minutes later, Meadows returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 26-7.

Star City then started its comeback in the second half. Eric Briggs scored on a 7-yard run with 4:42 left in the third quarter. Hayden Jacks scored on an 8-yard run with 12 seconds left, making the score 26-21.

Lonoke responded with another Meadows touchdown. He scored on a 33-yard run with 8:15 left in the game to make the score 32-21. 

Star City puled to within five at 32-27 on a 3-yard run by Jacks with 6:08 left in the game.

The Jackrabbits and Bulldogs traded possessions before Meadows scored on a 20-yard run late in the game to set the final score at 38-27.

Meadow finished with 175 yards rushing on 8 carries. Logan Dozier had 64 yards on 5 carries. Josh Coleman had 45 yards on 11 carries. 

Ethan Holland led Lonoke with 12 tackles. Meadows and Michael Hodges had 7 tackles each. Lance Dugger and Zack Murray had 6 tackles each.

"I thought our kids hustle and determination was excellent in all three phases," Bost said. "We kicked off several times and had kids but their tails getting down there making tackles."

Lonoke will host the Beebe Badgers this Friday at 7 p.m. at James B. Abraham Stadium. The Badgers are coming off a 41-27 win over the Greenbrier Panthers last week. 

"They are big and huge with two great running backs," Bost said, referring to Trip Smith and JoVaughn Wyrick. "They are a typical Beebe team. They are going to run straight at you with the big linemen. They are always tough, no doubt about it."

Lonoke's Justin Meadows carries the ball against Carlisle in a  recent scrimmage. Meadows was responsible for all six Lonoke touchdowns in a win over Star City on Friday.