Junction City downs Smackover

SMACKOVER - Smackover made two goalline stands against Junction City but needed one more Friday.

The Dragons finally stopped knocking on the door and simply kicked it in as Hishmma Taylor scored on a 4-yard run with 2:04 left, lifting Junction City to an exciting 17-14 victory.

The Dragons improved to 6-2 overall and a league-leading 5-0 in 3A-6 action. The Buckaroos fell to 5-3, 3-2.

Before the game-winning touchdown, the second half had been scoreless, featuring three goalline stands. After getting stonewalled at the 3-yard line on its previous possession, Junction City took over at the Smackover 38 with 5:16 left to play, trailing 14-10.

Taylor ran for 2, then 15. The Bucks were flagged for offsides and then Taylor was dropped for a yard loss. The junior then ran for five before busting loose on a 32-yard jaunt down the left sideline. Smackover’s Javon Modica knocked him out of bounds at the 4.

Joe Lowe threw incomplete into the end zone on first down before Jalen Davis was stuffed for no gain. The Dragons called their final timeout and went into a power set, bringing all 11 players in tight. The handoff went to Taylor, who pushed the pile toward the goalline. After some hesitation, one of the officials finally signaled touchdown.

Jack Smith kicked the PAT with 2:04 left on the clock.

The Bucks got the ensuing kickoff at the 38 but couldn’t move it. Beau Burson was sacked for a loss of five. On fourthand-14, Burson scrambled but came up four yards short of the sticks.

“There for awhile we couldn’t move the football and then we were able to move it but we couldn’t score. Defense was playing great,” said Junction City coach David Carpenter. “After a little bit in the second half, they started giving us the ball back. We just couldn’t put it in. We finally did right there at the end.

“I’ll take that last touchdown versus the earlier one.”

According to Junction City football historian Wayne Pumphrey, the win was Carpenter’s 240th victory, pushing him past Malvern’s David Alpe for 10th alltime in the state of Arkansas.

Taylor finished with 146 yards rushing on 19 attempts.

Junction City’s defense had a second half goalline stand of its own. Smackover’s Tyree Rucks broke loose on a 46-yard gallop before being hauled down at the 15. A 5-yard run by Michael Edwards gave the Bucks a first-and-goal from the 4. Edwards ran for three to the 1-yard line before Rucks and Burson were stopped for no gain on successive plays. On fourth down from inside the 1, the Dragons’ Keelen Ford came up with a fumbled handoff exchange and returned it to the 18 to end the threat.

Two possessions later, Junction City ventured deep into Buckaroo territory. Lowe hooked up with Quantez Brown for 30 yards to the 4-yard line. Taylor ran for three to the 1 but the Dragons were hit with a false start penalty and moved back to the 6.

Taylor ran for three before Lowe’s pass into the end zone was ruled incomplete. On fourth down, Smackover gang tackled Taylor, shoving him back to the 3 to end the drive.

Both defenses were stingy but Junction City found something in its passing game as Brown caught four passes for 83 yards. His totals included receptions of 21, 25 and 30 yards and helped loosen up the running game in the fourth quarter.

“Just trying to get him out there where he could get on it and catch the ball and go. We had a couple guys injured who couldn’t go so we had to go with Tez. He did a good job,” said Carpenter. “He dropped one over there but, you know, pros drop ‘em every day.”

The Dragons’ defense held Smackover to 204 yards in total offense.

“The guys played hard, top to bottom on the whole bunch of ‘em. I can’t single out a guy,” said Carpenter.

“(Taylor) ran hard. Joe threw good passes. You know, it was good team play. The defense did a heck of a job for us, keeping us in there. That’s the best thing. We could’ve easily bent down there and just said ‘the heck with it’ and let ‘em score.

“I’m gonna have to go with the defense on the goalline stand as the most outstanding play.”

Smackover lost a fumble on its second play from scrimmage to set up the Dragons near midfield. Taylor found paydirt on a 41-yard romp up the middle. Smith’s PAT staked Junction City to a 7-0 lead with 10:22 left in the first.

Edwards returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the 43. On second-and-7, Burson glanced to his left and saw junior receiver Peyton Jones left completely uncovered. Burson lofted a strike to Jones, who streaked down the sideline on a 40-yard touchdown reception with 9:26 left in the opening quarter. Burson passed to Corbin Lee for the conversion and an 8-7 lead.

Smackover extended its lead, taking advantage of a muffed punt at the Junction City 15.

On fourth-and-8, Burson’s hard count drew a 5-yard offsides penalty against the Dragons. On fourth-and-3, Edwards ran around left end for an 8-yard touchdown. The run for two failed and Smackover settled for a 14-7 lead with 11:06 left in the second.

Junction City got back on the board with a short drive, which included a 26-yard run by C.J. Johnson to convert a thirdand-24. The drive stalled at the 8-yard line but Smith booted a 26-yard field goal, which cut the deficit to 14-10 with 6:02 left in the half.

Burson completed 5-of-10 passes for 79 yards. Rucks led Smackover with 62 yards rushing on nine attempts.