WARREN RUNS FOR 214, SCORES 4 TDS

With 6:20 to play in the third quarter at Bearcat Stadium Friday night the Booneville Bearcats held a 28-13 lead and had the football, but it was at their own 7-yard line.

To get the football in that precarious position the Bearcats (11-1) had just had Dylan Todd induce a third down intentional grounding from the Mayflower quarterback to force a punt after Mayflower had the ball deep in Bearcat territory after an interception.

Ten plays after the punt it was 35-13 with 41 seconds to play in the quarter. That would be the final as the Bearcats beat the Eagles in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs.

On nine of the 10 plays of the only scoring drive of the second half Jace Washburn handed the football to junior fullback Hunter Warren and Warren accounted for 83 of the 93 yards of a drive that spelled the end of Mayflower’s season.

The only non-Warren carry occurred on the third play of the drive and was by freshman Hayden Daniel, who got 10 yards on third-and-4 that moved the ball to the Bearcat 23.

With 51 seconds to play in the quarter the Bearcats were at the Eagle 46 but were facing a fourth-and-2 and took a time out to discuss the play.

After the conversation Warren got the ball and raced 46 yards for his fourth touchdown of the night and Oliver Loaeza kicked his fifth extra point to make it 35-13.

Mayflower (9-3) would immediately mount a threat, reaching the Bearcat 13 with a first down on the ensuing possession, but on a fourth down from the 12 Dakota Mattson picked off a pass in the end zone and made it out to the 10 with 9:39 to play.

It was Mattson’s second interception of the night.

Mayflower would then force the only Bearcat punt of the night but a sack by Aiden Fox, and Todd tracking down the Eagle quarterback on a third-and-long, followed by an incomplete pass ended any flickering hopes for the Eagles.

At that point 5:27 remained in the game. Mayflower would not get the ball back as Warren carried on five of the next six plays to move the ball to the Eagle 3, where the Bearcat coaching staff twice had Washburn twice take a knee to end it.

The 38 yards Warren gained on the final drive gave him 214 for the night, accumulated on 32 carries.

Obviously Warren was the featured back throughout the night. He capped the game opening, methodical drive that took 6:24 to complete with a 16-yard touchdown run on a third-and-15 and it was 7-0.

Warren’s touchdown came after Rhett NIetert had a scoring run negated by a penalty.

Six plays later Mayflower had drawn even but the Bearcats responded with Warren scoring from the 6 to cap a drive that included a 17-yard run by Washburn and one of 24 by Conner Lentz.

Again Mayflower needed just six plays to make it 14-13 – Cutler Haller blocked the point after try – with 8:46 to play in the first half.

Daniel moved the chains on a fourth down on the ensuing possession and Warren scored for the third time three plays later on a run of 21 yards and it was 21-13 5:14 before halftime.

It would be an turnover fueled and eventful 5:14.

First the Eagles crossed midfield but would have Mattson intercept a pass at the Bearcat 12 with 4:02 left in the half.

Next it would be a Bearcat interception giving the ball back to Mayflower with 1:50 remaining.

Aided by a penalty and a big play Mayflower moved into Bearcat territory before a snap sailed over the quarterback’s head and was recovered by Lentz at midfield with 33 seconds left.

Daniel was stuffed on the first play after the turnover but Noah Harrel made a circus catch on a 39-yard throw from Washburn that, coupled with a roughing the passer flag moved the ball to the 6 with 11 seconds left.

Washburn then hit Mattson for a touchdown and it was 28-13 with the clock showing 0:06.

Mayflower got the ball to start the second half but Seth Wilson’s eighth sack of the season helped force a punt that preceded the interception that gifted the Eagles possession in Bearcat territory, setting the stage for Todd, who was playing for the first time since a knee injury in Mansfield.

The Bearcats will travel to Fordyce on Friday to face the Conference 3A-8 champion Red Bugs in the quarterfinals.

Fordyce, who is a perfect 12-0, beat Jessieville 46-8 Friday and opened the playoffs with a 52-14 win over Hoxie.