Gravette Lions prove too much for Pioneer defense

Gravette senior Tyler Greenhaw runs the ball downfield while his teammate Dallas Kerley blocks Gentry defender Nelson Watson during play on Friday.
Gravette senior Tyler Greenhaw runs the ball downfield while his teammate Dallas Kerley blocks Gentry defender Nelson Watson during play on Friday.

— A surprising sophomore broke loose for the senior-laden Gravette Lions in Pioneer Stadium.

Cody Robinson rushed for two long touchdowns to help undefeated Gravette post a 34-14 win over Gentry in 4A-1 Conference action.

Coming into Friday’s game, the sophomore fullback had yet to score a touchdown on the seniorhigh level. Robinson said he wasn’t given any indication before the game that he would be given the ball so much.

“He hasn’t run the ball a lot for us, but he’s been effective when he has run it,” Gravette coach Bill Harrelson said of Robinson. “Cody’s got great balance and runs real tough.”

Robinson rushed for 73 yards and two touchdownson seven carries.

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After receiving the pass, Gentry back Tanner Coy tries to outmaneuver Gravette's defense. Coy, Kolby Rankin and Jarod Cousins were chosen Gentry's players of the week.

“I just have to give credit to my linemen,” Robinson said. “I had some great blocking in there.”

Gentry (0-5, 0-2 4A-1) came into the contest looking to shut down Gravette’s (5-0, 2-0) featured back Darrick Strzelecki,who had just 28 yards rushing in the first half.

“Gravette has great depth,” Gentry coach Brian Little said. “When one of their good ones get shut down, they’ve got another answer.”

Gentry gave the favored Lions all they wanted early. Clayton Alexander’s first pass of the night was intercepted by Gentry standout Kolby Rankin.

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Gentry quarterback Dylan Ochs throws a pass to Tanner Coy during Friday's game against Gravette in Pioneer Stadium.

A sack by Gravette’s Adam Roberts forced a turnover-on-downs at the Gravette 26. The Lions capitalized with a nineplay drive, culminated by a 20-yard scoring burst by Robinson.

The teams traded five punts throughout the remainder of the half and it appeared Gravette would go into intermission up just 6-0. The Lions, however, would cover 81 yards in just two plays. Alexander found Dallas Kerley down the sideline for 46 yards and then hooked up with a leaping Roberts for a 35-yard score.

Strzelecki got it going in the second half with two touchdown runs. He led all rushers with 95 yards on 20 carries.

Sports, Pages 9 on 10/05/2011