Jackrabbits fall to CAC in 2OT

Lonoke's Anthony Parks goes around CAC's Nathan Velek en route to a touchdown (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits battled back from a two-touchdown deficit to force overtime against Central Arkansas Christian on Friday night. However, the Mustangs would have the final say.

CAC beat Lonoke 28-21 in double overtime at James B. Abraham Stadium. With the loss, Lonoke falls to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in 4A-2 play. The loss was Lonoke’s third consecutive.

CAC led 21-7 following a 61-yard touchdown pass from Palmer Gilbrech to Aiden Hughes with 

Lonoke's Chris Lucas defends against CAC's Ethan Demarco.

2:21 left in the first half. 

The Jackrabbits pulled to within 21-14 with 37 seconds left in the first half. Spencer Pepper scored on a 6-yard run. Diego Contreras kicked the extra point. The play was set up by a long pass on fourth down from Pepper to Chris Lucas.

Lonoke tied the score at 21-21 on the first possession of the second half. Pepper scored on a 25-yard run with 8:17 left in the third quarter.

The score remained the same the remainder of regulation. CAC had a chance to win it in regulation but Eli Jenkins missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

CAC had the ball first in the first overtime. The Jackrabbits defense pushed the Mustangs back to the Lonoke 33. On fourth down, Gilbrech threw an incomplete pass.

Lonoke had a chance to win the game in the first overtime. On third-and-goal from the 10, Pepper ran 9 yards to the CAC 1. Lonoke coach Harry Wright sent Contreras out for an 18-yard field goal attempt that he barely missed, sending the game into a second overtime.

Lonoke got the ball to start the second extra period. On the third down, CAC’s Gentry Miller intercepted a Pepper pass.

Miller then ran three times, including two yards for the game-winning touchdown on third down. Jenkins kicked the extra point to set the final score.

CAC took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the game. Gilbrech threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Morse. The Mustangs added to their lead on a 73-yard pass from Gilbrech to Miller, making the score 14-0.

Lonoke got the board when Pepper threw a screen pass to Anthony Parks, who worked his away across the field and down the sideline to make the score 14-7.

The Jackrabbits, CAC, Heber Springs and Bald Knob are all Atied for fourth place with a 2-3 record. Lonoke’s two conference victories are over Heber Springs and Bald Knob.

Lonoke hosts Stuttgart in the final home game this Friday at James B. Abraham Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.