By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
JESSIEVILLE -- The Hughes Blue Devils outscored the Jessieville Lions 33-to-6 in the second half of their Class AA state playoff game Friday night.
Sparked by Andre Walker's 53-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, the Blue Devils rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit to put away Jessieville 40-20.
Walker's TD run and Brian Hillis' point after kick tied the game at 14-14 and breathed new life into the Blue Devils, who played through the cold and the pain of losing starting tackle Jacob Young late in the first half.
Young suffered a badly broken arm just before the half on a play near the goal line.
The win keeps the Blue Devils alive in the playoffs and sets up a third-round quarterfinal meeting at Junction City Friday.
Junction City defeated Hector 14-6 last Friday.
The Blue Devils improve to 10-2 for the year while Jessieville ends their season at 10-2, the best finish for a Lions' team in school history.
Walker led the Blue Devils with 169 yards on 16 carries while quarterback Jermaine Davis ran for 116 yards on 16 carries.
Hughes Coach James Wright called Walker's touchdown run to start the second half "a key play."
"That play was huge for us," Wright said. "It helped get us back in the game and it evened things up just a little."
After Hughes tied the game at 14-14, Jessieville gambled on a fourth and two at the Hughes' 16 and came up short giving the ball to Hughes with 8:48 to play in the third.
Davis capped a nine-play, 84-yard drive with 4:37 to play in the quarter when he went through the middle for a 28-yard touchdown run. Hillis' PAT failed on a bad snap from center but Hughes led 20-14.
Jessieville tied the game at 20-20 when Michael Meredith scored on a 20-yard scamper with 8:17 to play in the fourth quarter. The extra point try failed.
The Blue Devils answered four plays later when Walker hit the outside and ran 50 yards for the go-ahead score with 7:29 to play. Hillis' kick made it 27-20.
Again, on Jessieville's next possession, the Lions decided to go on fourth and six from their own 29, but halfback Ryan O'neal was stopped in his tracks and the Blue Devils took over.
Five plays later, Hughes put the game out of reach when Walker scored on a three-yard run with 4:15 to play and Hillis' kick made it 34-20.
Ayodele Ogunsakin made the final score when he went in from four-yards out with 1:39 to play.
Blake Ellison led the Lions with 96 yards rushing in the first half and accounted for both of the Lions' first-half touchdowns.
The Lions scored first to lead 7-0 but Hughes tied the game at 7-7 when Davis scored from five yards out to cap a 66-yard, 12 play drive.
The Lions answered with 2:15 to play in the half when Ellison scored from two yards out to put the Lions in front 14-7 at the half.
"We have some good running backs and when they get going they are hard to bring down," Wright said. "Our guys feel like they can score any time during a game. That's why we have been averaging 40 points a game during the year."
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Saying that this season could be a "roller-coaster ride," Forrest City Coach Sue Jayroe watched Saturday as her Lady Mustangs pummeled Jacksonville 79-50 at the Heavenly Hoopfest tournament, being played at Mount St. Mary's in Little Rock.
The victory gave the Lady Mustangs seventh-place in the tournament and was Forrest City's only win in the three-game event.
Forrest City lost to Watson Chapel and Sylvan Hills before taking down Jacksonville.
Mount St. Mary's defeated Russellville to win the tournament title.
Sylvan Hills knocked off North Pulaski to finish fifth.
Forrest City senior Caronica Randle scored 25 to lead the Lady Mustangs while Trinia Wynne added 24 points and Katrina Floyd finished with 12.
Viveca Kimble scored eight.
The Lady Mustangs led 24-7 after the first period and opened a 47-12 lead at the half.
"Our chemistry against Jacksonville was much better than it was on Wednesday when we lost to Sylvan Hills," Jayroe said. "That made all of the difference in the world for us."
Forrest City and Jacksonville will play at least twice more when AAAAA-East conference play begins following the Christmas break.
* PREP BASKETBALL
High School
Senior Girls
Saturday's Score
Forrest City 79, Jacksonville 50
Monday, November 25
Gillette at Palestine-Wheatley
Junior High
Monday, Novemver 25
West Memphis West at FCity White