Harness Scores Four as Beebe Outlasts Vilonia

Published On: September 28, 2026Categories: High School, News

Beebe 42, Vilonia 34

BEEBE — A year after these Highway 64 rivals combined for nine points, Beebe and Vilonia traded leads through a 34–34 third quarter Friday. Cameron Harness supplied four touchdowns, and the Badgers made two final fourth-down plays count to win their 5A Central opener 42–34 at Bro Erwin Stadium.

Beebe, winless in three nonconference games, found room on the perimeter of its flexbone offense. The Badgers rushed for 417 yards. Harness carried 11 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns, then added a kickoff return score. Donald Willett gained 146 yards on 23 carries, and Colton Collins ran for 68 yards on eight attempts, scored once and converted two two-point tries.

The start was less tidy. Beebe lost a pitch on its opening possession, but its defense forced an incompletion on fourth-and-three. Hayden Bates later pitched to Collins, who followed his blockers around the edge for the game’s first touchdown. A failed conversion left Beebe up 6–0. Vilonia quarterback Cooper Hanson answered with a short touchdown run, and Luke Robinson’s kick gave the Eagles a 7–6 lead near the end of the first quarter.

Another Beebe pitch went awry on the first play of the second quarter. Robert Meyers cashed in the short field with a touchdown run for a 14–6 Vilonia advantage. Harness responded with a 25-yard toss run, cutting the margin to one. When Vilonia mishandled a snap later in the half, Dillon Layton and Jarron Harris converged on the loose ball. Harness scored again with 38 seconds left, and Beebe took a 20–14 lead to the locker room.

Beebe recovered an onside kick to start the second half, but Vilonia’s Von Fronabarger intercepted Bates and returned it for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked, leaving the game tied at 20. On Beebe’s next possession, Bates found Willett for 17 yards, but Willett lost the ball at the end of the catch. Drake Mills recovered it for Beebe. Lucas Warner then gained nine yards on one carry and moved the chains on the next, preserving the drive for Harness’ third rushing touchdown. Beebe’s kick was blocked, leaving it ahead 26–20.

Vilonia received a short field when Beebe’s next onside attempt failed to travel ten yards. Hanson scored on another keeper, and Robinson’s kick put Vilonia ahead 27–26. The lead lasted only until the ensuing kickoff. Harness broke through the coverage for his fourth touchdown, and Collins ran in the conversion for a 34–27 Beebe lead. Hanson scored again before the quarter ended, with Robinson’s kick tying it at 34.

In the fourth, Willett finished a drive with a two-yard run and Collins added another conversion with 7:50 left. Vilonia reached the Beebe 10, but Diesel Burklow broke up Hanson’s fourth-down pass with about 1:20 remaining. Vilonia managed no points in the fourth. Beebe still needed a first down against Vilonia’s three timeouts. Willett was stopped inches short on third down before Bates crossed the marker on a fourth-down sneak, allowing the Badgers to drain the clock.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Beebe — Collins touchdown run; conversion pass failed. Beebe 6–0.
Vilonia — Hanson touchdown run; Robinson kick. Vilonia 7–6.

Second quarter

Vilonia — Meyers touchdown run; Robinson kick. Vilonia 14–6.
Beebe — Harness 25-yard touchdown run; Jace Ruiz kick. Vilonia 14–13.
Beebe — Harness touchdown run; Ruiz kick. Beebe 20–14.

Third quarter

Vilonia — Fronabarger interception return touchdown; kick blocked. Tied 20–20.
Beebe — Harness touchdown run; kick blocked. Beebe 26–20.
Vilonia — Hanson touchdown run; Robinson kick. Vilonia 27–26.
Beebe — Harness kickoff return touchdown; Collins two-point run. Beebe 34–27.
Vilonia — Hanson touchdown run; Robinson kick. Tied 34–34.

Fourth quarter

Beebe — Willett 2-yard touchdown run; Collins two-point run. Beebe 42–34.

Players who stood out

Cameron Harness, Beebe: 144 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, plus a kickoff return touchdown.
Donald Willett, Beebe: 146 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries; one 17-yard reception.
Colton Collins, Beebe: 68 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, plus two successful two-point runs.
Cooper Hanson, Vilonia: Three rushing touchdowns, including two in the third quarter.
Von Fronabarger, Vilonia: Returned a third-quarter interception for the touchdown that tied the game at 20.
Diesel Burklow, Beebe: Broke up Vilonia’s fourth-down pass from the Beebe 10 late in the fourth.