Hytche’s 99-Yard Touchdown Lifts Muskogee Past Springdale
Muskogee 19, Springdale 13
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Anthony Hytche turned a broken exchange into the decisive play Friday, scooping the loose ball near his goal line and racing 99 yards with 3:52 remaining to give Muskogee a 19-13 victory over Springdale.
Springdale controlled the first quarter. On the Bulldogs’ opening possession, Wilder Lherisse broke a 53-yard touchdown run on the third play, and Damian Zuniga’s extra point made it 7-0 with 10:58 left. With 36 seconds remaining in the period, sophomore quarterback Logan Hart hit Albert Birge for a 62-yard touchdown. The extra point missed, leaving Springdale ahead 13-0.
Muskogee answered after starting quarterback Brayden McMullen left the game. Senior backup D.J. Hill found Damarion Berryman for a 40-yard touchdown with 8:54 left in the half. After Muskogee recovered a Springdale kickoff-return fumble, Hill converted fourth-and-10 with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Anthony McNac. Junior Rodriguez blocked the extra point, keeping the score tied 13-13 with 7:37 remaining.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Rodriguez blocked a Muskogee field-goal attempt, and Springdale defensive back Fred Hudson intercepted Hill at the Springdale 47 with 5:03 left in the fourth. The Bulldogs could not move the chains, but Zuniga’s 41-yard punt rolled out near the Muskogee goal line. Springdale had 310 yards of offense before its last two possessions; Hart completed 7 of 15 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown.
On the next snap, the exchange hit the ground. Hytche gathered it and went the length of the field for the winning touchdown. He finished with 21 carries for 242 yards. Springdale answered with two late possessions. Hart’s fumble ended the first, but the Bulldogs forced a punt and regained possession with 1:44 left. Backup Orion Leautu converted fourth-and-7 to James Stephen, extending the final drive, before Muskogee stopped the Bulldogs as time expired.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Springdale – Wilder Lherisse 53-yard run (Damian Zuniga kick), Springdale 7-0, 10:58
Springdale – Albert Birge 62-yard pass from Logan Hart (kick failed), Springdale 13-0, 0:36
2nd Quarter
Muskogee – Damarion Berryman 40-yard pass from D.J. Hill (kick good), Springdale 13-7, 8:54
Muskogee – Anthony McNac 33-yard pass from D.J. Hill (kick blocked by Junior Rodriguez), 13-13, 7:37
3rd Quarter
No scoring.
4th Quarter
Muskogee – Anthony Hytche 99-yard run after recovering a broken exchange (kick blocked), Muskogee 19-13, 3:52
Players Who Stood Out
- Anthony Hytche, Muskogee RB: 21 carries for 242 yards and the winning 99-yard touchdown.
- D.J. Hill, Muskogee QB: Threw touchdown passes of 40 yards to Damarion Berryman and 33 yards to Anthony McNac.
- Logan Hart, Springdale QB: Completed 7 of 15 passes for 139 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown.
- Albert Birge, Springdale WR: Two catches for 80 yards and a 62-yard touchdown; also recorded kickoff returns of 22 and 28 yards.
- Junior Rodriguez, Springdale DL: Blocked an extra point and a third-quarter field-goal attempt.