Jackrabbits rout Eagles for second victory

Lonoke running back Lexington Mays follows the blocking of teammate Hunter Clark during second-half action as the Jackrabbits beat Baptist Prep on Friday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits were in desperate need of a victory. Luckily, Baptist Prep was next on the schedule.

Lonoke jumped out to a  21-7 halftime lead en route to a 49-14 win over the Eagles on Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium. With the win, Lonoke breaks a three-game skid and improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in 4A-2 conference play. 

“We needed a good win, especially a conference win,” Lonoke coach Taggart Moore said. “We came out and took care of business. I was very happy with the kids. We made some adjustments at halftime. They are very coachable They took those adjustments and took them back out to the field. 

“We had a great second half. We’ve got a lot to work on and a lot to build upon and get ready for Southside Batesville next week. 

The Jackrabbits took the second half kickoff and pushed the lead to 28-7 on a touchdown by Davonta Adams early in the third quarter. Nick Tate kicked the fourth of seven extra points in the win. 

Baptist fumbled on its first possession of the second half with Lonoke recovering at the Baptist 36. Two plays later, Lonoke’s Xavier Hodge scored on a 37-yard run with 9:37 left in the third quarter to make the score 35-7. 

The Jackrabbits forced the mercy rule a little bit later when quarterback Daniel Seigrist scored on a 6-yard run and Tate added the extra point to make the score 42-7 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

Baptist got its second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run by Jonathan Gilliam with 5:21 left in the game. Allie Mead kicked the extra point. 

Adams then returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to end the scoring. 

Lonoke finished with 424 yards in total offense, including 364 yards rushing. 

Adams led the Jackrabbits with 123 yards and two rushing TDs on seven carries. Hodge finished with 95 yards and two scores on five carries. Lexington Mays had 76 yards rushing on seven carries. 

Seigrist completed 1 of 2 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, which was caught by Braidon Bryant. 

Michael Hodges led Lonoke with 10 total tackles. Tallon Swint had eight. Getting six tackles each were Jackson Ward and Colton Davidson.

Lonoke will travel to Batesville this Friday to take on the Southside Southerners. Southside is 5-0 on the season, it’s best start in school history.