PEA RIDGE — Most of Gravette’s defensive starters stood on the sideline during the final few minutes of their 4A-1 Conference game Friday night.

The Blackhawks had one final drive, and Gravette coach Bill Harrelson wanted to get a look at some of his backups.

His defensive starters, however, didn’t sit down on benches. They stood up, eager to see whetherthe Lions could seal their third shutout this season.

And they screamed wildly when Gravette finished off its convincing 33-0 victory.

“They were real hungry for the shutout,” Harrelson said.

On a night when Gravette’s offense sputtered at times, its defense ensured that the Lions would open the season with a 4-0 record.

Derrick Strzelecki rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, and Cody Montee booted two field goals Friday night. But Harrelson said he’d still like to see more consistency from Gravette’s offense.

“We’re just a little bit off,” Harrelson said.

Pea Ridge coach Tony Travis played a lot of sophomores Friday night and said the Blackhawks would learn from the defeat.

The Lions stormed to a 23-0 half-time lead in the conference opener for both schools. They openedthe scoring on a 39-yard field goal by Montee after Pea Ridge (1-3) fumbled on the third snap of the contest.

Gravette took advantage of a poor Blackhawks’ punt later in the first quarter and drove 34 yards in seven plays to extend its lead.

Strzelecki’s tough threeyard run on third-and-1 kept the drive alive and his seven-yard scoring run put the Lions up 9-0.

The Lions then came through with a stellar special teams play after their defense forced Pea Ridge’s fourth straight three-andout to start the game.

Logan Hirsch initiated it by sprinting around the right end of the Blackhawks line to block a punt.

Peyton Rose scooped up the loose ball and sprinted 14 yards, giving the Lions a 16-point advantage.

Strzelecki closed out the first-half scoring by weaving through the Pea Ridge defense for a 25-yard touchdown run and a 23-0Lions lead. Meanwhile, Pea Ridge managed only 66 yards and two first downs in the first half.

Gravette needed only four plays in the third quarter to tally more points. Dallas Kerley returned the opening kickoff 40 yards and then capped the short march by scoring on a 30-yard screen pass from Colton Davis.

Pea Ridge finally managed to get into Gravette territory on its ensuing possession.

Sports, Pages 10 on 09/29/2010