CLASS 7A PLAYOFFS : Southside converts to top Har-Ber
Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2008
FORT SMITH — Fort Smith Southside quarterback Trent Welbern knows exactly what to do when a game is on the line.
He dials up Chase Dixon.
Dixon caught a late touchdown and a two-point conversion pass to give Southside an 8-7 victory over Springdale Har-Ber Friday in the semifinals of the Class 7 A state playoffs. Southside (10-2 ) advanced to Saturday’s state championship game against Bentonville, which defeated Russellville in the other semifinal on Friday.
Har-Ber (10-3 ) appeared headed to Little Rock for a second consecutive year, but the Welbern-Dixon connection again came through late for the Rebels. Dixon briefly bobbled, then caught a 23-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left to pull Southside within 7-6. The Rebels then called timeout and decided to try for two points.
The gamble worked when Dixon caught a short pass from Welbern and reached across the goal line to put Southside ahead 8-7.
“I just felt like, hey, let’s win it or lose it right here,” Southside Coach Jeff Williams said of the two-point try. “I’ve been in situations where games go to three or four overtimes and the kids are spent. Our kids were tired but I had confidence they could execute the play.”
Har-Ber had one more series after a short kickoff and the Wildcats moved into Southside territory with the help of a pass interference penalty. Josh McKinney went up and caught a long pass on the final play but he was tackled at the Southside 3-yard line to end the game. Southside players and fans then rushed the field while Har-Ber players dropped in disappointment.
Har-Ber fell just inches and seconds short of advancing to War Memorial Stadium for the second consecutive year. The Wildcats lost to Fayetteville in last year’s state championship game.
“This was a great ball game and it came down to the very end,” Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood said. “That happens when you have two teams of this caliber, and we were just a couple of inches short. My hat’s off to their program but our guys played like champions themselves.”
Dixon finished with 4 catches for 71 yards after being silenced for much of the game. Welbern threw for 204 yards with 2 interceptions while Derek Brinker led Har-Ber with 136 yards rushing on 35 carries.
Har-Ber’s touchdown came in the first quarter when Zach Faust threw a 34-yard pass to McKinney.
Friday’s game unfolded quite differently from the team’s first meeting, when Southside won 27-22 after jumping to a 17-0 lead. Har-Ber’s defense dominated for much of the game until the late heroics by Welbern and Dixon.
Dixon was also the primary receiver in comeback victories over Springdale and Fort Smith Northside during the regular season.
“On pressure downs, that’s when Welbern really shines,” Williams said. “Our kids wouldn’t be denied again against a great football team.”
Southside failed on two scoring opportunities from inside the Har-Ber 20 in the first half. The Wildcats’ biggest stand came in the second quarter after Southside had reached their 1-yard line. Richard Kirksey was stopped for no gain, then a penalty packed the Rebels up to the Har-Ber 6. Welbern kept the ball on the next play, but Stephen Needham forced a fumble with a hard hit and Daniel Andreadis recovered for Har-Ber.
Southside reached the Har-Ber 10 in the first quarter, but the drive stalled and Azee Ihmedian missed a 26-yard field goal.
Har-Ber threatened to go up by two scores in the third quarter but a fumble killed the drive. Faust fumbled forward after a short run and Evan Meyers picked up the loose ball and advanced it to the Southside 30.
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