Lions suffer painful loss

Gravette senior Jordan Lundholm pulls in a pass in play against Shiloh Christian Friday night in Springdale.
Gravette senior Jordan Lundholm pulls in a pass in play against Shiloh Christian Friday night in Springdale.

— In a defensive battle in Champions Stadium the Lions fell to the Saints in a painful 16-14 loss.

Shiloh’s Ryan Michaelis made a name for himself this season with his play at wide receiver for Shiloh Christian. But on Friday, what was expected to be the toughest game of the season, Michaelis proved he was more than a pass catcher. The junior recovered a fumble at his own 1-yard line andbatted down a Gravette pass that was headed for the end zone. But perhaps his plays which hurt the Lions most were made when he hustled to down two Saints’ punts at the Lions’ 1-yard line, including one in the first quarter that led to a Shiloh Christian safety and the difference in the outcome of the game.

With the score tied 7-7, Shiloh Christian freshman Drew Tyler punted from the Gravette 41 and had a rolling, rugbystyle end-over-end kick.

Michaelis went to theturf to keep the ball from rolling into the end zone, downing it at the 1.

Two plays later, Shiloh’s defense caught Gravette quarterback Clayton Alexander in the end zone for a safety and a 9-7 lead.

Two Gravette fumbles also cost the Lions dearly. The first came on Gravette’s openingdrive when Alexander lost the snap at the goal line, and the second came with 6:47 remaining when senior running back Darrick Strzelecki lost theball as he was headed to the end zone for the goahead score.

“What can you say?” said Gravette coach Bill Harrelson, whose team lost its second straight game after opening the season 6-0. “They were both well inside the 1-yard line. I guarantee you we didn’t want to (fumble). But I couldn’t ask any more of our kids.”

Both defenses played stellar in the second half, holding the other scoreless. And both teamsplayed with their collective backs against the wall.

“I thought our defense stole the show tonight,” Saints coach Josh Floyd said. “We put them in a lot of tough situations.”

Harrelson also praised his defensive unit.

“We could not have played any better defensively,” he said.

The win keeps Shiloh Christian atop the 4A-1 standings with two key road games remaining against Ozark next week and at Farmington in the season finale. Gravette will take on winless Berryville on Friday.

Jordan Lundholm was selected as Gravette’s Player of the Week. He had 3 catches for 66 yards on offense. Hehad an interception and 4 tackles on defense.

Chip Souza contributed to this article.

Sports, Pages 9 on 10/26/2011