LINCOLN -- Thinned by injuries, Lincoln dug deep into their 31-man roster and couldn't keep pace with Gravette as the Lions opened 4A-1 play with a solid, 33-0, conference win at Wolfpack Stadium Friday.
Gravette showcased their kicking game with a pair of Chris Childress field goals in the first half as the Lions opened up a 20-0 lead at intermission. Childress, who recently returned from an injury, had no trouble kicking off or booting points through the goal posts.
"Chris has got a really lively leg, he did a good job," said Gravette coach Bill Harrelson. "He adds a dimension to us for sure."
After forcing Lincoln to punt away on the game's opening possession, the Lions mounted a 62-yard drive capped by Bailey Soule's 3-yard run. Childress kicked the extra-point for a 7-0 Lion lead midway through the first period. The Lion defense was staunch all night and forced Lincoln into another punt. When their drive bogged down, Childress added a 24-yard field goal. With the kick, the Lions held a 10-0 advantage at the end of the first period.
Lincoln coach Don Harrison said the Wolves have got to be ready to play when the game kicks off.
"They (Gravette) came out firing on all cylinders, we didn't," Harrison said. "We have got to learn to start faster."
In the second quarter, Gravette added another touchdown on Austin O'Brien's 49-yard run. Childress again kicked the P.A.T. and the Lions went in front, 17-0. Just before halftime, Gravette safety Brady Moorman intercepted a Lincoln pass and Childress put another field goal through the uprights, this time from 33 yards with 16 seconds left.
Gravette wasted little time increasing its lead on the road. On the first play from scrimmage after Lincoln kicked off to start the third quarter, O'Brien, who contributed more than 100 yards of offense in both the running and passing game, turned the corner on a sweep and raced up the sideline, fighting off tackles until Lincoln finally brought him down at the one. O'Brien ran 12 times for 136 yards and caught 6 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in the game. His 65-yard jaunt set up an easy score as the Lions put the game away in the third quarter with a pair of Kilby Roberts 1-yard runs followed by Childress kicks for a 33-0 conference win. Harrelson was pleased with the defensive effort that limited Lincoln to 84 yards of total offense, including stopping a Wolf drive that began at Gravette's 27 after Brent Crews recovered a muffed punt for Lincoln.
"Our defense dominated all night," Harrelson said. "They really ran to the ball. To shut out a team like Lincoln, that's a compliment to our defense."
This week Gravette hosts Prairie Grove, which also opened conference play with a win, beating Huntsville, 41-12. Friday's game kicks off at 7 p.m.
GRAVETTE 33, LINCOLN 0
Gravette^10^10^13^0^--^33
Lincoln^0^0^0^0^--^0
First Quarter
Gravette -- Bailey Soule 3-yard run. (Childress kick), 7:37.
Gravette -- Chris Childress 24-yard field goal, :57.
Second Quarter
Gravette -- Austin O'Brien 49-yard run (Childress kick), 9:29.
Gravette -- Chris Childress 33-yard field goal, :16.
Third Quarter
Gravette -- Kilby Roberts 1-yard run (Childress kick), 11:20.
Gravette -- Kilby Roberts 1-yard run (Childress kick), 5:37.
Sports on 09/28/2016