Jackrabbits beat Stuttgart, playoff picture not clear

Lonoke's M.J. White catches a touchdown pass against Stuttgart on Friday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits broke a three-game losing streak Friday night but the playoff picture got a little more muddy.

Diego Contreras kicks an extra point out
of the hold of Riley Miller.

Lonoke held off winless Stuttgart for a 35-28 win in the final home game. However, Heber Springs beat conference leader Riverview to force a four-way tie for third place with Lonoke, Mills and Central Arkansas Christian. 

Lonoke beat Heber Springs but lost to Mills and CAC. The tiebreaker scenario is way too long to figure out. 

Lonoke travels to Riveview on Thursday for the regular-season finale. 

Against Stuttgart, the Jackrabbits took a 7-0 lead when Dayton Smith returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown with 8:36 left in the first quarter. Diego Contreras kicked the first of five extra points.

The Jackrabbits added to their lead when Spencer Pepper scored on a 37-yard run with 57.1 seconds left.

Stuttgart scored the next three touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead with 5:21 left in the third quarter. 

The Jackrabbits tied the game at 21-21 with 1:46 left in the third quarter when Anthony Parks scored on a 1-yard run. 

Stuttgart reclaimed the lead at 28-21 with 11:48 left in the game. 

The Jackrabbits tied it at 28-28 with 8:08 left when Pepper threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to M.J. White. After Lonoke forced a punt, Parks had a long return and set up the Jackrabbits to win the game.

Pepper threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to White with 1:07 left.

Stuttgart’s final gasp came to an end when White intercepted his second pass of the game.

Pepper led the Jackrabbits with 128 yards rushing on 36 carries. He also completed 13 of 19 passes for 142 yards. On defense, Pepper intercepted a pass.

Parks rushed for 73 yards on 15 carries.

Chris Lucas caught 6 passes for 89 yards. White caught 5 passes for 67 yards.

Smith and John Lawson led Lonoke with 10 tackles each. Brayden Coble and Lucas hd six each. Anderson Fletcher had five.