Lions get past Pioneers in close game

 Gravette junior Dallas Kerley tries to break through the Gentry line and pick up yards for the Lions during the Friday night contest between the rival schools.

Gravette junior Dallas Kerley tries to break through the Gentry line and pick up yards for the Lions during the Friday night contest between the rival schools.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

— The circumstances seemed similar to the previous Friday, when Gentry rallied to beat Farmington with a 96-yard touchdown drive in the final four minutes.

That’s what Gravette coach Bill Harrelson couldn’t get out of his head Friday night as the Pioneers took over at their own 16. Gentry trailed Gravette by five points at that point, with 2 minutes, 55 seconds left in their 4A-1 Conference contest at Lions Stadium.

“Don’t think it didn’t cross my mind,” Harrelson said with a chuckle. “I know the kids didn’t think about that (Gentry) drive (from last week). They just wanted to make plays and get us the win.”

The Lions defense did exactly that, clinching their 25-20 victory by stopping Gentry on four straightplays late in the fourth quarter.

Running back Derrick Strzelecki led Gravette (5-0, 2-0 4A-1) with 173 rushing yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns. But itwas Gravette’s defense that carried the Lions to their fifth straight victory to start the season.

Gravette linebacker Brandon Meek started the final Gentry (3-2, 1-1) drive by sacking Austin Millsap for a 12-yard loss on first down. The Pioneers lost three more yards on their final three plays.

“Meek’s sack was really big,” Harrelson said. “I can’t say enough about our defense in the second half. It was a Herculean effort. I think (Gentry) only had one first down other than that fumble that turned into a touchdown run.”

The scoring run Harrelson alluded to was set up by Tanner Coy’s 63-yard kickoff return to open the second half.

Two plays later, Tre’ Ascencio-Porter scooped a fumble by Millsap and scampered 35 yards for a touchdown to put Gentry up 20-19. Gentry also had led 14-7 after answering Strzelecki’s 58-yard touchdown run only 1:27 into Friday’s contest.

Consecutive touchdown runs by Ethan Ramsey gave the Pioneers thatadvantage, but the Lions responded with strong defense and special teams. Gravette recorded two safeties, including one on Logan Hirsch’s third blocked punt of the season.

“He’s been all over the place like that all year,” Harrelson said.

Strzelecki scored on a 38-yard screen pass from Clayton Alexander in the second quarter as well. Still, Gentry kept battling behind the tough running of Ramsey and Ascencio-Porter, who combined for 185 yards on 25 carries.

The Pioneers made too many mistakes throughout the game, however. Gentry turned the ball over three times in the third quarter and also committed several costly penalties in the second half.

“We absolutely gave a great effort, and I thought we had a chance to win all night,” Gentry coach Brian Little said. “But you can’t have that many penalties and turnovers and expect to win. Our kids didn’t quit, though.”

Strzelecki sealed the victory in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdownrun. Earlier on that nineplay, 55-yard drive, Strzelecki scored on a 42-yard sprint, but that play was called back for a penalty.

No matter. He tallied the game-winning points only five plays later.

“We’ve got to give them the ball when it counts,”Harrelson said. “Our offensive line moved them off the ball in the second half, and Derrick had some great runs.”

Sports, Pages 11 on 10/06/2010