FARMINGTON — Gravette’s offense took a long time to get going Friday but its defense made sure it had all the time it needed.
The Lions held Farmington without a first down on its first five possessions of the second half, rallying from a two-touchdown deficit to defeat the Cardinals 35-17. Gravette (7-0, 4-0 4-A Conference) didn’t take its first lead until less than 10 minutes remained in the game before blowing it open on three rushing touchdowns by Darrick Strzelecki.
“Our defense has played unbelievable all year,” Gravette coach Bill Harrelson said.
Strzelecki gave the Lions a 21-17 lead on a 58-yard touchdown run with 9minutes, 31 seconds remaining.
Strzelecki ran from the middle of the field to one sideline, then all the way across the field before going into the end zone.
After Farmington (3-4, 2-2) was stopped on downs near midfield, the Lions put the game away on a 10-yard touchdown run by Strzelecki. The Cardinals then fumbled and Strzelecki scored on a 23-yard run, his second touchdown in 19 seconds.
Farmington led 14-0 midway through the second quarter. D. J. Gray ended the Lions’ first drive by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Stephen Sanders and the Cardinals quickly cashed in on a 39-yard run by Colby Elkins.
Gravette unsuccessfully attempted to convert afourth-and-1 at its own 34 yard-line. Farmington made good use of the defensive stop, going ahead 14-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Elkins early in the second quarter.
The Lions caught a break when their subsequent drive, seemingly over after three plays, was extended on a roughing-the-punter penalty. Gravette then converted on a pair of fourth downs, the second time getting on the scoreboard when Cody Bullock hauled in a 9-yard pass from Alexander on fourth-and-7 late in the first half.
“We did a decent job in the first half of moving the football, but they controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half and we didn’t get anything done offensively,” Farmington coach Mike Adams said.
Justin Bode blocked a third-quarter Gravette punt and Austin Oslica ran it all the way down to the Lions’ 11. That resulted in a 30-yard field goal by Jesus Magana and a 17-7 Farmington lead.
Logan Hirsch came right back with an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, getting Gravette back within 17-14.
“That was huge,” Harrelson said.
Sports, Pages 12 on 10/20/2010