HARRISON — The Harrison Goblins collected their third victory over the last four games, defeating Siloam Springs 24-3 on Friday in F.S. Garrison Stadium.

The contest marked the end of the season for both teams, which was the first time in several years that this game has not had postseason implications.

“We certainly were playing our best football at the end,” said Harrison coach Tommy Tice. “Just wish we had a few more weeks left to play. But I am very proud of this team and especially our seniors who picked this team up and wouldn’t let them quit.”

The loss put an end to a disappointing season for the Panthers (3-7, 0-7 5A-West). After beginning the year with a 3-0 record, Siloam Springs lost every conference game.

And Friday’s game was a very emotional game for the Panthers because junior Cody Noble had died Monday. His death has devastated the team and the community. Earlier in the week the Panthers elected to play the game, which was a day after the funeral for Noble.

“I don’t think words can describe it,” said Siloam Springs coach Bryan Ross. “You are never ready for something like that to happen. It just puts into perspective the game of football. I really appreciate the way our kids have handled it and the way the community has responded.”

Both teams were sluggish offensively in the first half as the two clubs combined for just 139 total yards. But the first half contained a state record 89-yard punt by Siloam Springs’ Bryan Adair and a 53-yard field goal by Harrison’s John Colliver.

The only touchdown in the first two quarters came on a defensive play as Harrison’s Dakota Hill picked off an Adair pass and rumbled 61 yards to the end zone with 2 minutes, 33 seconds left in the second quarter. The Goblins led 10-0 at the half.

Much of the third quarter resembled the first half until Harrison quarterback Ryan Miller, who was held to just 34 rushing yards and 11 passing yards in the first half, scampered 15 yards for a touchdown for a 17-0 lead with 1:28 left in the quarter.

Siloam Springs answered with its only scoring drive of the contest, which was capped by a 32-yard field goal by Pablo Castillo, who just missed on a 55-yard field goal attempt in the first half.

The Panthers looked like they were going to make a game of it after all when they recovered a fumble by the Goblins (5-5, 3-4) on the ensuing kickoff, the first turover by the Goblins in their last three home games. However, the drive ended with a Siloam Springs’ turnover when Gregory Frabotta caught an Adair pass and advanced to the Harrison 1, where he fumbled into the end zone and the Goblins recovered.

Harrison then responded with an 80-yard scoring drive, getting 44 rushing yards and 28 passing yards by Miller who capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left to make it 24-3.

Miller finished with 125 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns, and completed 7-of-16 passes for 81 yards. The Goblins had 255 yards of offense.

Siloam Springs finished with 180 yards, with 107 through the air as Adair was 11-of-24, who also had a 72-yard punt to go with his state record 89-yarder. Ruben Castillo was the Panthers’ leading rusher with 35 yards on nine carries.

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