BEARCATS 3-0 AFTER DOMINATING MENA

The Booneville Bearcats completed a cycle sweep of the 4A-4 Friday night with a 35-6 win in Mena.

The Bearcats completed a 3-0 run against Dardanelle, Ozark, and Mena for the second straight year with a dominating performance that saw 448 rushing yards and a defense that allowed 121 total yards and caused four turnovers.

Randon Ray ran for 141 yards on 21 carries and Rocky Ross added 139 yards on just four carries. Both scored two touchdowns. Rylen Ray ran for 79 yards and Dax Goff 68.

Trace Hall led the defense with a pair of interceptions, taking one back for a touchdown, and recording three solo tackles and two assists.

Friday also marked the debut of foreign exchange kicker Pablo Ferrer who was perfect on three extra point kicks, including one from 35 yards after a 15-yard penalty was assessed on the point after try rather than on the kickoff.

At that point, the Bearcats led 34-0 after Ross’ second 60+ yard touchdown run of the night and was obviously in hopes of avoiding a mercy rule with 5:43 to go in the third quarter.

The Bearcats started the game with a penalty – there were 11 of them in the first half for 99 yards and 16 in the game for a school record 169 yards.

After the yardage was marked off Randon Ray flipped the ball to Ross, Brook Herrera made a block to help Ross get to the edge (see photo), Ross made a man miss and then went 64 yards for a touchdown.

Rylen Ray ran for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

A possession later Herrera rumbled for a touchdown but another flag negated the score.

The Bearcats would eventually score with Randon Ray covering the final 2 yards of the drive to make it 14-0.

That was with 2:29 to play in the first quarter and despite the Bearcats having three straight possessions reach deep in Mena territory.

The Bearcats got a fumble caused by Dunn Daniel and recovered by Brett Welling but turned the ball over at the Mena 7-yard line.

After Hall’s first interception, the Bearcats were backed up for a runback penalty, backed up again during the drive, and turned the ball over on downs at the Mena 27.

Following a Mena punt, a pair of penalties helped cause the Bearcats to run out of time at the Mena 24.

Out of the intermissions a fourth down stop by Welling and Casey Mattson gave the Bearcats the ball at their 44. Six plays later Randon Ray scored form the 6 and Ferrer made his first PAT try to make it 21-0.

A Mason Goers sack preceded Hall’s second interception, which was returned 31 yards for a touchdown and it was 28-0 with 6:38 left in the third quarter.

Herrera picked off another Mena pass and the Bearcats had the ball at their 34. Ross went 66 yards the next play to make it 34-0 but a dead ball flag backed up the PAT kick. Ferrer had enough leg to clear the bar for a 35-0 lead with 5:43 to play in the third quarter.

That made 21 points in a span of 2:15 for the Bearcats.

Mena got on the scoreboard with 5:53 to play after a drive was prolonged by a fourth down pass interference penalty. A two-point conversion try failed to keep it 35-6.

The Bearcats open 3A-4 play this week with Two Rivers coming to Bearcat Stadium. The Gators are 0-3 after a 40-6 loss to Johnson County Westside.