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| Lonoke's Romel Rankin, from left, Brayden Coble and Anthony Parks celebrate after Parks scored a touchdown on a fumble return to make the score 49-40 against Newport on Friday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo) |
By Mark Buffalo
Staff Writer
LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits finally got over the hump.
After dropping the first two games of the season, including a 45-44 overtime loss to Beebe last week, the Jackrabbits rallied from a two touchdown deficit to beat Newport 49-40 on Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium. The win was the first for new Lonoke coach Harry Wright.
“That is, by far, the best team we’ve played, just athletically and what they can do in space,” Wright said. “They are really well coached. It was a big win. I’m excited for them.”
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| Lonoke's Riley Miller makes a tackle against Newport. |
Lonoke trailed 34-21 with 9:34 left in the third quarter following a 62-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Monquell Cox.
Lonoke scored the next two touchdowns. Spencer Pepper threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Lucas and a 91-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Parks, the second coming with 3:43 left in the third quarter. Diego Contreras kicked both extra points to give the Jackrabbits a 34-34 lead.
The Jackrabbits pushed their lead to 42-34 on the final play of the third quarter when Parks scored on a 1-yard run.
Newport cut the deficit to 42-40 on a 4-yard run by Cox with 10:31 left in the game.
Lonoke’s final touchdown came on a scoop and score when Parks forced a fumble by the Newport quarterback then picked up the loose ball and returned in about 20 yards for a touchdown to make the score 49-40.
Newport had a chance to get closer but Lonoke’s Riley Miller intercepted a pass at the Lonoke 1 with 3:09 left.
The Jackrabbits were forced to punt but only got off an 11-yard punt, giving the Greyhounds the ball at the Lonoke 13. However, the Jackrabbits forced Newport to turn the ball over on downs a the 15 yard line.
Lonoke took a knee to end the game.
The Jackrabbits finished with 402 yards in total offense.
Pepper completed 11 of 20 passes for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also rushed for 48 yards on 17 carries.
Parks caught 4 passes for 146 yards. He rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries.
Shawn Lake caught 4 passes for 96 yards. Lucas caught 2 passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Romel Rankin and M.J. White each had an interception.
Newport finished with 421 yards in total offense.
The Jackrabbits will travel to Heber Springs to take on the Panthers in the 4A-2 opener next Friday.
“These first three games are like preseason,” Wright said. “They count and they matter. Every game matters but what you do in the conference is important. If you can go out and get better every week, that’s all we’re worried about.”
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