Alexander shares the wealth

Gravette QB completes passes to seven receivers for 49-7 win

Gravette's Logan Hirsh (28) and Chase Brody (7) bring down McDonald County's Chad Roark (23) in play at Gravette on Friday.
Gravette's Logan Hirsh (28) and Chase Brody (7) bring down McDonald County's Chad Roark (23) in play at Gravette on Friday.

— Gravette’s Clayton Alexander said he enjoys getting all his friends in on the action.

The senior quarterback hooked up with seven different receivers to lead the Lions to a big 49-7 win against McDonald County, Mo., Friday night at Lions Stadium.

And five of those seven receivers are seniors, like Alexander.

“We’ve all bonded over the past 13 years,” Alexander said. “I have a special relationship with all those guys.”

On the night, Alexander completed 15 of 20 passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns.

“We have a lot of weapons at receiver,” Gravette coach Bill Harrelson said. “(McDonald County) was loading the box to stop the run andClayton did a good job of making his reads and finding the open man.”

Last season, running back Darrick Strzelecki carried the load for Gravette, rushing for more than 1,500 yards.

Alexander believes that the Lions’ opponents have more than Strzelecki to worry about this season.

“Darrick is loving not having to be the workhorse,” Alexander said.

Alexander got the party started late in the first quarter. He dropped in a 5-yard scoring lob to Jordan Lundholm as Gravette (2-0) took a 6-0 lead.

Adam Roberts was the recipient of Alexander’s second touchdown throw, a 9-yard slant.

Strzelecki got in on the scoring action in the second with a 2-yard dive. He led all rushers with 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Alexander continued to spread the ball around, hooking up with Tyler Greenhaw in the right flat. Greenhaw spun out of a tackle and raced 45 yards for a 24-0 Gravette lead at halftime.

Alexander hooked up with his seventh receiver of the night early in the third as Dallas Kerley found paydirt on an 18-yard catch-and-run.

Strzelecki, Kyle Coxand Wyatt Banta each scored on short runs during the fourth quarter and Kerley added one extra point.

“I have to give it up formy (offensive) line,” Alexander said. “They gave me all day back there.”

Up next, Gravette travels to Poteau, Okla., this week.

Sports, Pages 11 on 09/14/2011