BEARCATS SUFFER RARE CONFERENCE LOSS

A streak of 39 straight conference wins came to an end Friday night at Bearcat Stadium at the hands of Charleston, 42-14.

The last time the Bearcats had lost a conference game was, ironically, on October 21, 2016 in Dardanelle.

Due to a couple of leap years, October 21 doesn’t fall on a Friday again until 2033.

Most of the night the Bearcats moved the ball – there were 363 rushing yards with Trace Hall running for 114 yards on 11 carries, Cody Elliott (shown) picking up 112 yards on 17 carries, and Peyton Tatum adding 77 yards on 13 carries.

There was also a penalty flag that took away a touchdown on a drive the ended in a turnover on downs with the score 7-0.

The Bearcats were an efficient 8-of-13 on third downs but 0-of-3 on fourth down attempts.

After Charleston went up 14-0 Hall had another touchdown run that stood, weaving his way 68 yards for a score.

Down 21-7 Elliott rumbled for 43 yards but there was another holding penalty flag coming on the next down and, although the Bearcats overcame that flag, they would again turn the ball over on downs at the Charleston 22.

Charleston scored again in the final minute of the half and led 28-7.

The lead grew to 35-7 on the opening possession of the second half.

The Bearcats kept the ball the next 5:22, moving into Charleston territory but again turned the ball over on downs.

After Charleston scored again Jace Washburn came on to lead the offense on an 80-yard drive that saw Dylan Todd, Garrick Barr, Hunter Warren, and Clayton Loftin all carry the ball with Loftin getting the touchdown from the 1 to make it 42-14.

Tatum would be the leading tackler with five total stops, four of which were solo and Warren and Johnny Barnes both had four.,

The Bearcats will look to regroup this week when they visit Lavaca, who after starting the season 6-0 has lost one-point games on consecutive weeks