DEFENSE LEADS BEARCATS TO OPENING WIN

A smothering defense led the Booneville Bearcats to a 32-0 win over Dardanelle in the 2021 season opener at Bob Keenan Field in Dardanelle Friday night.

The Bearcats caused four turnovers, typically resulting in short fields for its offense, and recorded eight tackles for a loss.

There were interceptions by Randon Ray, Casey Mattson, and Rayce Blansett – a defensive holding penalty wiped out an interception by Brooks Herrera – and a fumble recovery by Dax Goff. Mason Goers (pictured bearing down on the Sand Lizard quarterback) was responsible for the first sack of the season, which was one of his two tackles for a loss.

All of the scoring came in the first half. A running clock sped up the second half despite the 35-point threshold having not been met -- Dardanelle reportedly dressed less than 30 players available for the game. The Bearcats dressed about the same number.

Dardanelle (0-1) managed 93 yards of total offense in the game.

The Bearcats (1-0) scored on four of five first half possessions, starting after what appears to be a field goal attempt that served as punt to the Sand Lizard 49-yard line.

The ensuing drive saw Rocky Ross score the first touchdown of the season on a carry that covered 9 yards. Herrera, after a penalty pushed the conversion try back, added an extra two for an 8-0 lead.

Before the opening quarter ended Randon Ray picked off a pass and returned it 50 yards to the Sand Lizard 35, then got 15 more due to being drug down from by the collar to move the ball to the Sand Lizard 20.

Three plays later Randon Ray had his first of two touchdowns on a 5-yard run, and his first of a school record-tying three two-point conversions and it was 16-0.

On the final play of the quarter Goff recovered a dropped football and three plays later Rylen Ray was in the end zone for a 24-0 lead.

A holding penalty erased another big play by Herrera and helped force a Bearcat punt with 3:42 left in the first half.

Mattson’s interception set up Randon Ray’s second touchdown – after Goff lost one to another of the seven first half Bearcat penalties – and it was 32-0 at the half.

Randon Ray ran for a team-high 61 yards on nine carries. Goff had 46 yards on five carries.

Garrick Barr carried the ball nine times in the second half for 31 yards as eight Bearcats carried the football. There would have been a ninth, but Dunn Daniel lost a second half touchdown run to a penalty.