Heber Springs rallies from 14 down, seals victory with goal-line stand

Heber Springs 28, Central Arkansas Christian 21

Heber Springs erased two 14-point deficits, scored the final 21 points and stopped Central Arkansas Christian at the 3-yard line in the final minute Friday night, securing a 28–21 victory at Mustang Mountain.

Spencer Sugg threw three touchdown passes, Lane Bradley scored the go-ahead touchdown and the Panthers held CAC scoreless throughout the second half. Heber Springs improved to 3–1 overall and 1–0 in conference play. CAC finished the night 3–1 and 0–1.

With fans filling the bleachers and lining the fence, CAC established the early advantage. Jackson Plumlee found Zach Withrow for a diving catch on fourth-and-four during the opening possession, then connected with him for a 6-yard touchdown with 1:04 left in the first quarter. Colt Dunham added the extra point.

Lucas Beck’s interception set up another Mustang scoring drive. Plumlee finished it with a 9-yard touchdown run, diving toward the right pylon with 9:11 remaining in the second quarter. Dunham’s kick made it 14–0.

Heber Springs answered with a 71-yard drive capped by Sugg’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Lachlan Tubbs. Golden Tate’s extra point cut the margin to 14–7 with 6:33 left before halftime.

Beck intercepted another pass, and Brody Vantilborg immediately turned the takeaway into points. Taking a direct snap, Vantilborg broke free for a 70-yard touchdown with 2:02 remaining, extending CAC’s lead to 21–7.

Josiah Riggs helped Heber Springs respond before halftime, converting a third-and-20 reception and catching another deep pass that moved the Panthers inside the 10. Sugg finished the possession with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Eli Long with 11 seconds remaining. Tate’s kick made it 21–14.

The broadcast credited Sugg with 240 passing yards and Long with six catches for 97 yards at halftime. The Panthers then paired that passing production with second-half defensive stops.

Tubbs sacked Plumlee on CAC’s opening possession after intermission. Later, Titus Bullington recovered a loose snap at the Mustangs’ 22. Noah Engholm’s reception moved Heber Springs inside the 10, and Sugg found Riggs for a 3-yard touchdown. Tate tied it 21–21 with 1:25 left in the third quarter.

Aiden Isom recovered a fourth-quarter fumble at the Panthers’ 11, launching the winning 89-yard drive. Sugg completed passes to Riggs, Long and Engholm, including a 46-yard gain to Long. Bradley finished with consecutive runs, scoring from 5 yards out with 5:58 remaining. Tate’s fourth extra point made it 28–21.

Riggs and Bullington combined to disrupt a fourth-down pass on CAC’s next possession. The Mustangs earned another opportunity when Cam Moats recovered a fumble, giving CAC first-and-goal at the Heber Springs 9.

The Panthers stopped two runs and defended an incomplete pass before a fourth-down pass-interference penalty gave CAC another snap from the 3. Plumlee rolled left, but his pass fell incomplete with 58 seconds remaining. Sugg then gained breathing room on a keeper behind Aiden Nyari before kneeling to finish the victory.

Scoring summary

First quarter

• CAC — Zach Withrow 6-yard pass from Jackson Plumlee (Colt Dunham kick), 1:04. CAC 7–0.

Second quarter

• CAC — Plumlee 9-yard run (Dunham kick), 9:11. CAC 14–0.
• Heber Springs — Lachlan Tubbs 15-yard pass from Spencer Sugg (Golden Tate kick), 6:33. CAC 14–7.
• CAC — Brody Vantilborg 70-yard run (Dunham kick), 2:02. CAC 21–7.
• Heber Springs — Eli Long 14-yard pass from Sugg (Tate kick), 0:11. CAC 21–14.

Third quarter

• Heber Springs — Josiah Riggs 3-yard pass from Sugg (Tate kick), 1:25. Tied 21–21.

Fourth quarter

• Heber Springs — Lane Bradley 5-yard run (Tate kick), 5:58. Heber Springs 28–21.

Players who stood out

• Spencer Sugg, Heber Springs: Threw three touchdown passes to three receivers.  15 completions in 22 attempts for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone.
• Josiah Riggs, Heber Springs: Caught six passes, including the tying touchdown; converted third-and-20 before halftime and helped break up a fourth-quarter fourth-down pass.
• Eli Long, Heber Springs: Had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown at halftime, then added a 46-yard reception on the winning drive.
• Lachlan Tubbs, Heber Springs: Caught a 15-yard touchdown, recorded a third-quarter sack and broke up a fourth-quarter pass intended for Vantilborg.
• Titus Bullington, Heber Springs: Recovered a loose snap at CAC’s 22 to set up the tying touchdown and joined Riggs on a late fourth-down pass breakup.
• Aiden Isom, Heber Springs: Recovered a fourth-quarter fumble at his own 11, setting up the 89-yard winning drive.
• Lane Bradley, Heber Springs: Finished the winning drive with consecutive runs, including the decisive 5-yard touchdown.
• Lucas Beck, CAC: Intercepted two passes, setting up touchdowns on both ensuing possessions.
• Jackson Plumlee, CAC: Threw a 6-yard touchdown to Withrow and scored on a 9-yard run.
• Brody Vantilborg, CAC: Scored on a 70-yard direct-snap run that gave the Mustangs a 21–7 lead.
• Zach Withrow, CAC: Made a fourth-down diving catch on the opening scoring drive, caught a 6-yard touchdown and chased down Long at the 30 on his fourth-quarter reception.
• Cam Moats, CAC: Recovered the late fumble that gave the Mustangs first-and-goal at the Heber Springs 9.