JUNIOR BEARCATS DROP NONCONFERENCE GAME

The Booneville Junior High Bearcat coaches learned weeks ago that a scheduled game with Baptist Prep would not happen.

Rather than take the week off and return to conference play next Thursday, they arranged a second meeting with Dardanelle.

Unfortunately, Dardanelle, who had won the season opener 28-12, would take a 21-12 decision at Bob Keenan Field Thursday.

The Bearcats managed one first down before turning the ball over on downs on the game’s opening possession but a fourth down incomplete pass gave the Bearcats the ball back at their own 38 with 7:28 left in the first half.

Ten plays later Conner Droemer went 9 yards for a touchdown for the game’s first points, just 1:23 before halftime.

Dardanelle went in front just one play after the ensuing kickoff on a 63-yard catch and run play and a converted point after kick.

Dardanelle took the second half kickoff and marched deep into Bearcat territory only to suffer an interception as Demari Poole picked off a deflected pass at the Bearcat 1 and returned it to the 23.

A 26-yard Conner Lentz run – Lentz (pictured) ran for 91 yards on seven carries – moved the Bearcats into Dardanelle territory but a holding penalty pushed them back onto their side of the field.

Lentz ripped off another 35 yards to overcome the penalty and, despite a false start flag inside the 10, a 3-yard run by Hunter Warren put the Bearcats in the lead, 12-7. A two-point conversion try failed.

Dardanelle converted a fourth-and-4 with a 36-yard run and later scored on a third-and-goal to go in front 14-12 with 6:41 to play.

Unable to move the ball, the Bearcats punted and Dardanelle scored on a second one-play drive on a 57-yard run and led 21-12.

The Bearcats managed one first down after the kickoff but a fourth down sack gave the Sand Lizards the ball back and they ran out the clock.

The Bearcats will return to Conference 3A-4 play on Thursday when they host Atkins in the final home game of the season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.