JV Jackrabbits beat Stuttgart

The Lonoke Jackrabbits offense waits for a play during junior varsity action on Monday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits junior varsity football team beat Stuttgart 20-12 on Monday night at James B. Abraham Stadium. 

Lonoke took a 6-0 lead in the first half on a touchdown pas from Will Miller to Isaac Toney. The two-point conversion failed.

Stuttgart tied the game at 6-6 on a touchdown pass on the final play of the first half. 

Lonoke reclaimed the lead at 14-6 on a 2-yard run by Joe Carter with 7 minutes left in the game. Miller then threw to Carter for the two-point conversion.

Lonoke's final touchdown came on a 7-yard run by Carter with 1:41 left. The two-point conversion failed.

Stuttgart cut the deficit to 20-12 with 49 seconds left. Lonoke sealed the victory on a long run for a first down by Carter. 

Lonoke's Isaac Toney scores a touchdown during JV action on Monday.

Jackrabbits fall to Panthers in 4A-2 opener

Lonoke center Chance Bronson [66] blocks for running back Josh Coleman during
 Friday's game with Heber Springs. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits got off to an ideal start in the 4A-2 conference opener Friday against Heber Springs. However, there were 47 minutes and 14 seconds left to play.

Lonoke's Caleb Bailey returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown but the Panthers took advantage of several Lonoke miscues in winning 40-24. The Jackrabbits are now 1-3 on the season.

After Bailey's touchdown, the Jackrabbits missed the extra point, leaving the score at 6-0 with 11:46 left in the first quarter.

Heber Springs had a chance to tie early on its first possession, driving the ball to the Lonoke 13 but Lonoke's Trey Bevis forced a fumble by Heber Springs quarterback Hunter Chandler and Lonoke's Justin Meadows recovered the ball at the Lonoke 3. The Jackrabbits were then forced to punt and the Panthers drove 58 yards in six plays. Chandler Marquardt scored on a 23-yard run with  1:25 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score tied at 6-6.

The Jackrabbits were forced to punt on their next possession. On the first play of the second quarter, Heber Springs' Luke McGowan blocked Ethan Holland's punt and returned it for a touchdown. The Panthers kicked the extra point to lead 13-6.

On Lonoke's next possession, Heber Springs' Austin McVay intercepted a pass. That led to a 21-yard touchdown run by Marquardt with 10:45 left in the first half. 

The Jackrabbits got on the board again when Savonte Rountree threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Meadows with 5:41 left in the first half. However, Heber Springs scored late in the half on a 22-yard pass from Chandler to McVay to give the Panthers a 26-12 halftime lead.

Heber Springs pushed its lead to 32-12 on an 18-yard pass from Chandler to Edgar Torres with 5:14 left in the third quarter.

Lonoke did not go away quietly. The Jackrabbits cut the deficit to 32-18 on a 39-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows with 3:29 left in the third quarter. 

The Jackrabbits then forced a punt, which was blocked and Lonoke got the ball at its own 48. Lonoke's possession ended on an interception. Lonoke's defense stiffened and forced another Heber Springs punt. 

The Jackrabbits then pulled to within one score at 32-24 on a 43-yard scoring pass from Rountree to Meadows with 5:42 left. The two-point conversion failed.

Lonoke tried an onside kick but the Panthers recovered at the 50-yard line. They put the game away when Chandler scored on a 1-yard run with 1:35 left. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 40-24. 

Heber Springs outgained Lonoke 382-339. The Panthers rushed for 276 yards and passed for 106. 

Bevis led Lonoke with 13 tackles. Chandler Elmore had nine. Gabe Rooney had seven. Getting five tackles each were Bailey, Deondray Joyner, Ethan Holland, Lance Dugger and Lucas McKenzie.

Rountree completed 15 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Meadows caught eight passes for 181 yards and three scores. Logan Dozier caught two passes for 24 yards.

Lonoke will try to bounce back when the Jackrabbits travel to Newport to take on the Greyhounds. Newport is coming off a 40-20 loss to West Helena.  

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree [9] congratulates teammate Justin Meadows
 after they hooked up for a third touchdown against Heber Springs. 

Lady Jackrabbits improve to 10-0 in league volleyball action

Lonoke's Jarrelyn McCall [22] blocks the hit by Clinton's Randi McDonald during
the Lady Jackrabbits' conference victory on Thursday at the Gina Cox Center.
 Backing up on the play for Lonoke is Janae Miller. (Photos by Mark Buffalo) 

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — It took a little bit of extra work but the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits volleyball team is still undefeated in league play.

Lonoke beat Clinton in four games to improve to 10-0 in the 4A-Central on Thursday night at the Gina Cox Center. The scores were 25-21, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22. The Lady Jackrabbits have six conference matches remaining.

Lonoke coach Laura Park said the reason for the 10-0 start has been the "heart" her players have shown this year.

"These girls love what they are doing, they work very hard at it; it is a passion for them," Park said. "It shows through. There have been times we've been down 6, 8, 10 or 12 points and should lose and we wind up coming back and winning. 

"It's their determination and their heart. They give everything they've got."

Park said one thing she is emphasizing this year is to not let down at any point, especially after winning the first game or first two games of a match, similar to what they did against Clinton on Thursday. 

"If you've won the first two, you've got to work even harder, and play harder and smarter," Park said. "No one is going to lay down and let you have the win."

During the win over Clinton, Lonoke missed five consecutive serves in the third game when the Lady Jackrabbits lost 25-18. 

"We don't do that normally," Park said. 

Despite the hiccup in the third game, Lonoke played strong in the fourth game. Behind the serve of Paola Negrete, the Lady Jackrabbits rallied from an early deficit to lead 11-9. 

Lonoke eventually got it to game point on the serve of Jarrelyn McCall, who gave Lonoke a 24-20 lead after rate score was tied at 20-20. 

Clinton forced a sideout to get the serve back but a rally at 24-22 went wide, giving the Lady Jackrabbits the victory.

Park rotated seven players in the victory. They included Negrete, McCall, Emily Moore, Janae Miller, Kira Gibbs, Eboni Willis and Charley Jo Chesney.

With six games remaining in conference play, Park knows Lonoke is the team to beat. 

"I try to emphasize to them that we may be 10-0 but we have a target on our back," she said. "I've got several girls who like to go deer hunting. 'You're the biggest deer in the field … and everyone is wanting to come after you. You've got to do what you can to keep them from getting you."

Lonoke travels to Central Arkansas Christian on Tuesday. The Lady Jackrabbits host West Helena next Thursday, Oct. 2.

Lonoke coach Laura Park talks to her team during its win over Clinton.

Bison knock off Augusta for first win

The Carlisle Bison celebrate after beating Augusta on Friday for their first win of season. (Photo by Lindsey Thaxton)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

AUGUSTA — The Carlisle Bison may have struggled in their first two games this season but that is all out the window because the Bison are now 1-0.

Carlisle rallied then held off Augusta for a 44-38 win over the Red Devils in the 2A-6 opener last Friday

"It's good to get that monkey off our back," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said, referring to his first head coaching victory. "Now, maybe we can play more relaxed and not press as much."

The Bison fell behind early as the Red Devils led 12-0 with 3:09 left in the first quarter. Carlisle scored the next 14 points to lead 14-12. Clinton Hampton scored on a 33-yard run. He also added the two-point conversion.

Carlisle quarterback Chase Brazeal scored on a 1-yard run with 10:47 left in the first half.

Augusta reclaimed the lead at 20-14 on a 64-yard pass less than a minute later. Carlisle's Devon Kendrick then scored on a 22-yard run. Hampton added the two-point conversion to give the Bison a 22-20 lead.

Augusta scored another touchdown right before halftime to lead 26-22.

Carlisle took a 30-26 lead on a 5-yard run by Hampton with 9:56 left in the third quarter. The Red Devils respond with a 49-yard touchdown run with 9:03 left in the quarter. Carlisle would not be outdone as Hampton scored on a 1-yard run with 3:52 left to make the score 36-32.

Carlisle pushed its lead to 44-32 on a 1-yard run by Brazeal with 8:37 let tin the game. Hampton added the two-point conversion.

Augusta cut Carlisle's lead to 44-38 with 5:06 left but could not get any closer.

Keith said his team was able to move the ball after being stopped on its first drive when Augusta took a 12-0 lead. 

"They didn't stop us any drive other than that one," he said. 

Hampton rushed for 181 yards on 27 carries. Kendrick had 118 yards on 20 carries. Tyler Sanders had 28 yards on six carries. Grant Sumner had an interception on defense.

Carlisle travels to Des Arc for it second conference game this Friday. The Eagles are coming off a 42-40 win over Brinkley last week. 

"They are going to play tough and hit you in the mouth," Keith said of the Eagles, which finished as the Class 2A state runners-up in 2013. "They are a little faster than usual. We've got some things to square up on the defensive side of the ball. If we get those squared away, we'll be okay.

"The offense has been able to move the ball all year. We've just got to be able to bow our necks and stop somebody."

Kickoff on Friday at Des Arc is set for 7 p.m.

McClellan rallies past Jackrabbits, 21-20

The Lonoke Jackrabbits warm up prior to their game with Beebe on Sept. 12 (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LITTLE ROCK — It was not a good ending for the Lonoke Jackrabbits football team.

The Little Rock McClellan Lions overcame a 20-6 deficit to beat the Jackrabbits 21-20 on Friday night. With the loss, Lonoke finishes non-conference play at 1-2. 

The Jackrabbits seemed to have everything going their way in the second half. They led 14-6 at halftime and pushed the lead to 20-6 in the third quarter on an 11-yard run by Logan Dozier. The extra point was no good. The score was set up by a 60-yard pass play from Savonte Rountree to Chandler Elmore down to the McClellan 9.

McClellan cut Lonoke's lead to 20-14 in the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion. 

The Jackrabbits were driving in the fourth quarter and had the ball at the McClellan 32 but consecutive penalties pushed the Jackrabbits back to the Lions 48. After an incomplete pass, Rountree was forced out of the pocket and he attempted a screen pass, which was intercepted and returned 48 yards for a McClellan touchdown. They kicked the extra point to lead 21-20.

Lonoke drove the ball into McClellan territory but could not score again. 

The Jackrabbits led 7-0 after the first possession of the game. Rountree threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Justin Meadows. Jacob Vandiver kicked the extra point.

McClellan cut the deficit to 7-6 following a Lonoke penalty in the end zone. It looked as if Caleb Bailey had intercepted a pass but the Jackrabbits were called for pass interference. McClellan then scored on a 10-yard run. The Lions missed the extra point.

Lonoke pushed its lead to 14-6 on an 8-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows late in the first half. Vandiver kicked the extra point.

Rountree completed 13 of 30 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Elmore caught three passes for 84 yards. Meadows caught two for 60. Dozier caught four passes for 48 yards.

Devin Mosely led Lonoke with 60 yards rushing on 18 carries. Bailey had 55 yards on seven carries. 

Lonoke finished with 414 yards in total offense. McClellan had 164 yards.

Ethan Holland led Lonoke with 11 tackles. Bailey and Dylan Goforth had nine each. 

The Jackrabbits open 4A-2 conference play this Friday against the Heber Springs Panthers, which enter conference play at 2-1. Kickoff at James B. Abraham Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Jr. Jackrabbits get second win, shut out Riverview 12-0

Lonoke's Michael Hodges rushed for 208 yards against Riverview.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

SEARCY — The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits opened 4A-2 conference play with a 12-0 win over Riverview on Thursday.

Lonoke is now 2-1 on the season. 

Lonoke's Michael Hodges and Xavier Hodge both scored touchdowns in the victory. Hodges rushed for 208 yards on 24 carries. Hodge had 22 yards on 7 carries. 

Lonoke quarterback Kade Stuart completed 4 of 8 passes for 13 yards. Tallon Swint caught four passes for 13 yards. 

"It's always nice to get off to a 1-0 start in conference play," Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "We played a bit of a sloppy first half but the guys came out of halftime with enthusiasm and locked in and we were able to pull out the win. 

"Our offensive line did a much better job in the second half. Give those guys a lot of credit for the win."

Lonoke will travel to Heber Springs next week. 

Junior Bison come up 2 points, 7 yards short against Augusta

Carlisle's JaMarious Harper heads into the end zone for the first of four touchdowns against Augusta.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Junior Bison simply ran out of time.

After trailing 30-12 at halftime, Carlisle came up seven yards short of beating Augusta in the home opener Thursday at Fred C. Hardke Field. The Junior Red Devils won 30-28.

Carlisle cut the deficit to 30-20 on a  51-yard run by JaMarious Harper with 6:12 left in the third quarter. Kolton Davidson added the two-point conversion. 

Carlisle forced Augusta into a three-and-out on its next possession. The Junior Bison then drove 62 yards in 13 plays with Harper scoring on a 7-yard run with 6:07 left in the game. Davidson scored the two-point conversion to trail 30-28. Davidson gained 55 yards on the drive.

Augusta held the ball for almost four minutes, driving the ball to the Carlisle 24. The Junior Bison got the ball back when Houston Garrich stripped the ball away from Augusta's Devin Taylor. The Juinor Bison recovered the ball at their own 21 with 2:29 left.

Behind the running of Davidson and Harper, Carlisle drove the ball to the Augusta 20. The Junior Bison took their final timeout with 32 seconds left. Harper then gained three yards to the Augusta 17. Carlisle then rushed to the line and Davidson gained 10 yards to the Augusta 7. The clock stopped to move the chains with 1 second left. Carlisle was not able to snap the ball again before the horn sounded. 

Harper scored Carlisle's first touchdown on an 8-yard run with 6:05 left in the first half, tying the score at 6-6.

The Junior Bison outgained Augusta 344-212. Davidson had 211 yards rushing on 21 carries. He also caught one pass for 21 yards from Braiden Jenkins. Harper had 105 yards on 14 carries.

Taylor led Augusta with 126 yards rushing on 15 carries. 

Carlisle will host Des Arc this Thursday in a 2A-6 conference game. 

Kolton Davidson rushed for 211 yards against Augusta.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)