GRAVETTE — The Gravette Lions’ outstanding season came to an end Friday night at Lion Field when Pine Bluff Dollarway spoiled the Lions’ chance to advance to the state semifinals this week.

The 20-13 win by the visitors is especially bittersweet for Coach Bill Harrelson’s talented team in the Class 4A quarterfinals. The Lions had scored impressive wins in two previous games, defeating Pocahontas 30-8 and Warren 48-33 after traveling halfway across the state to meet these teams.

Gravette defense played admirably in Friday night’s game, holding the highscoring Pine Bluff team to three touchdowns. But Dollarway’s defense was equal in holding the Lions’ leading rusher, Darrick Strzelecki, to 65 yards and hampering quarterback Clayton Alexander, who finished the night 10 of 16 for 135 yards.

Two fumbles and a lone interception proved costly as the Lions came “this close” to a win. “The turnovers were huge,” said Coach Harrelson. “They did a good job of stopping our offense and getting turnovers. That was part of it.”

Dollarway coach Cortez Lee said, “We prepared for Strzelecki. I mean, he’s a good player. We just hit him.” Darrick had gained 1,791 yards with 29 touchdowns during the Lions’first 12 games. He finished with more than 1,850 yards for the season.

Dollarway took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and Gravette countered when Strzelecki pushed over from the four after marching 67 yards in 11 plays. The PAT failed, to end the half.

Dollarway added six more points in the third quarter with the Lions and ended the night’s scoring late in the final period on a 59 yard flea-flicker from Alexander to Dallas Kerley. Kevin Maezcua’s toe was accurate for the extra point. An onside kick almost gave the Lions an extra chance at the goal but a Cardinal recovered the ball and ran out the clock.

The Lions enjoyed a stellar year, having beaten Ozark and Prairie Grove. Both teams lost earlier in the playoff as did Shiloh Christian who had lucked out in a 16-14 win over the Lions during the season.

Gravette’s only other regular season loss was a 13-20 defeat by Farmington, the lone district contender who will play in the state semifinals Friday night.

The Lions had nine first downs to 14 for the Cardinals who amassed 248 yards on the ground to 83 for Gravette. In the passing department, Gravette’s aerials were good for 150 yards to just 6 for Dollarway.

A big difference was fumbles. Dollarway recovered its lone fumblewhile Gravette lost two of four, one critically on the Cardinal 1 yard line which could have swung the final score the other direction.

Alexander was 10 of 16 for 134 yards with one interception. Kerley was one of one for 13.

Greenhaw had 36 yardson four receptions, Kerley three receptions for 81 yards, Strzelecki two for 11 yards, Alexander one for 14 and Roberts one for 8.

On the ground Strzelecki had 61 yards on 19 carries and Cody Robinson 27 on 6.

Kelton McDougal’s 8tackles and 6 assists led the Lions. Peyton Rose had 4 and 4, David Anderson 2 and 3, Brandon Meek 2 and 6, Jeremy Mc-Garrah 1 and 6, Alexander 1 and 6, Jordan Lundholm 1 and 4, Tyler Greenhaw 1 and 3, Gunner Fancher 1 and 4, Cody Johnson 2and 5. Assisting on tackles were Glenn Overturf, 4; Strzelecki, 2; Brian Ortiz, 2; Anthony Dozier, 2; Brennon Webb, 4; Jacob Taylor, 3; and Adam Roberts, 5.

The Lions roster shows 25 seniors will graduate this year.

Sports, Pages 7 on 11/30/2011