Lions’ defense still dominating
Posted on Monday, September 15, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Sports/65755/
BENTONVILLE — A defense that put hats on jerseys to preserve a season-opening victory two weeks ago was totally dominant in Anderson, Mo., Friday night.
Arkansas’ Class 4 A No. 6-ranked Gravette forced McDonald County to five three-and-out series to start the game and held the winless Mustangs to 82 yards total offense.
Gravette moved to 2-0 on the season, thumping the Mustangs 38-3.
McDonald County (0-3 ) rushed 17 times for 19 yards.
“ Our defense dominated, ” head coach Bill Harrelson said this weekend. “ That made it a lot easier on the rest of us.
“ Our defense played great. Defensive line played real well. ”
Those on the line include Travis Eden, Tyler Smith, Dakota Lacey and Teddy Selby and Robert Todd alternating at nose guard.
“ Those guys controlled the line of scrimmage and got a great pass rush with just three people rushing, ” Harrelson said.
The Lions (2-0 ) twice intercepted McDonald County quarterback Preston Pryce. Hayden McAfee had his second interception of the season and Brett Meek had his first. Gravette picked off two passes in its 27-16 season opener here against fleet-footed and talented Clarksville.
Pryce completed 10 of 27 passed for 70 yards and rushed for 23 yards on 13 carries.
Gravette scored touchdowns on four of six possessions in the first half. Kicker Cody Montee booted a 27-yard field goal and missed on another attempt.
“ We played pretty well, executed well, ” Harrelson said.
The Lions amassed 360 yards total offense, passing for 219 yards and rushing for 141.
All-State senior quarterback Ethan McKinzie passed for three touchdowns and ran for another. The Lions led 31-3 at half time.
McKinzie finished the night with 216 yards passing, completing 11 of 23 attempts. He also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. He threw scoring strikes of 19 yards Travis Eden, 18 to Quintin Eden and 43 to Tyler Anderson.
McKinzie has four passing touchdowns on the season. Through two games, he has completed 21 of 42 passes for 367 yards.
Selby led the Gravette ground game with 93 yards on 13 carries. He now has 271 yards rushing on 39 carries (6. 9 yards per carry ). He scored once against Clarksville.
Michael Croasdell added Gravette’s other touchdown on another 1-yard run.
Harrelson said being idle 10 days did not interfere with the Lions’ execution.
“ We had a real good week of preparation, ” he said. “ We played that Tuesday and watched film Wednesday. We went fairly short Thursday and Friday. But we really had a good week last week, especially Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices.
“ That carried over to the game on Friday. ”
The Lions play their first of four regular-season home games Friday, hosting Wellington, Kan. The Crusaders (1-1 ) lost 28-7 to Andover, Kan., Central on Saturday. Wellington is 35 miles south of Wichita.