Jackrabbits can't keep up with Heber Springs

Lonoke's Dalton Smith intercepted a pass in the end zone against Heber Springs (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits could not keep up with the Heber Springs Panthers in the 4A-2 conference opener Friday night. 

The Panthers jumped out to a 14-0 lead then pulled away from the Jackrabbits for a 48-21 win.

The loss was Lonoke’s third consecutive after beating Carlisle in the season opener. During that stretch, the Jackrabbits have been outscored 144-28.

In Friday’s loss, Lonoke trailed 14-0 with 4:53 left in the first quarter. Brandon Loethen scored on a 1-yard run with 9:12 left; Caleb Lanclos scored on a 34-yard run. 

Following Heber Springs’ second score, the Jackrabbits pulled to within seven at 14-7 on a eight-play, 57-yard drive. Michael Hodges scored on a 22-yard run with 2:03 left in the first quarter. Kameron Cole kicked the extra point. 

Heber Springs responded with another touchdown. Lanclos scored on a 2-yard run with 1:17 left in the first quarter to make the score 21-7.

Lonoke tried to keep up, cutting the the deficit to 21-13 on a 20-yard run by quarterback Logan Dozier, who was making his first appearance of the season. The score came with 5:24 left in the first half. 

Heber Springs scored two more times in the first half to lead 34-13 at halftime. 

The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to go up 48-13 with 3:17 left in the third quarter. At that point, the game was played with a running clock. 

Lonoke’s final touchdown came on a 10-yard run by Xavier Hodge. Will Miller, Lonoke’s fifth quarterback in four games, scored the two-point conversion to set the final score.

Dozier led Lonoke with 74 yards rushing on 12 carries. Hodge had 70 yards rushing on 11 carries. Hodges rushed for 43 yards on 14 carries. 

Dozier completed 8 of 19 passes for 67 yards. Miller completed 3 of 5 passes for 13 yards.

Ethan Mulligan caught 5 passes for 33 yards. Isaac Toney had four catches for 33 yards. Hodges caught two balls for 14 yards.

Dylan Smith led Lonoke with nine tackles. Dalton Smith had six tackles and intercepted a pass in the end zone. Toney had four tackles.

Lonoke plays Baptist Prep (formerly Arkansas Baptist) this Friday in Little Rock. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Lonoke's Michael Hodges returns a kickoff.