Jackrabbits run past Badgers for second win

Lonoke's Josh Coleman carries the ball against Maumelle. Coleman rushed for 168 yards in the Jackrabbits' win over Beebe on Friday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits continued to use big plays as they knocked off Class 5A Beebe 39-22 on Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke (2-0) took a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game. Quarterback Savonte Rountree scored on a 19-yard run with 9:55 left in the first quarter. Ethan Holland kicked the extra point. 

After a Beebe fumble, Lonoke pushed its lead to 13-0 when Justin Meadows scored on a 56-yard run in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 13-0.

Beebe got on the board when JoVaughn Wyrick scored on a 16-yard run. Connor Patrom kicked the extra point to make the score 13-7.

Lonoke got that score back quickly as Meadows scored on a  37-yard run to push the lead to 19-7.

Beebe cut the deficit back to five at 19-14 when Trip Smith scored on a 2-yard run. Patrom kicked the extra point. 

Rountree scored his second touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run a bit later. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 25-14.

Two plays later, Beebe took a big hit when Wyrick ran for 9 yards but suffered a severe leg injury on the play.

The Badgers got the ball to start the second half but a turnover led to Lonoke's Josh Coleman scoring on a 9-yard run. Meadows scored the two-point conversion to make the score 33-14. 

Beebe came back to cut the deficit to 33-22 when Smith scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. Tyler Woodall scored the two-point conversion.

Lonoke put the game away when Logan Dozier scored on a 7-yard run late. 

Coleman led Lonoke with 168 yards rushing on 28 carries. Meadows had 113 yards on five carries. 

Rountree rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries. He also completed both of his passes for 33 yards. Juwaun Bryant and Holland each caught one pass.

Lonoke finished with 410 yards in total offense.

Holland led Lonoke with 13 tackles. Zack Murray and Ricky Nichols had nine each. Lance Dugger had seven while Michael Hodges, Xavier Hodge and Lucas McKenzie had six tackles each.

Lonoke will host Little Rock McClellan in the final non-conference game this Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.