Bunch’s third-quarter touchdowns start White Hall comeback

White Hall 28, De Queen 15

WHITE HALL — Caleb Bunch scored twice in the third quarter as White Hall erased a nine-point halftime deficit and defeated De Queen 28-15 Friday night.

The Bulldogs scored 28 consecutive points after the break, improving to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the 5A-South. De Queen fell to 1-4 and 0-2 despite controlling the ball for 20 minutes, six seconds in the first half.

The Leopards’ opening possession consumed the entire first quarter and continued into the second. Keegan McCoy converted a third-and-short with a quarterback sneak, and a pass-interference penalty on a fourth-down trick play helped De Queen move inside the 10. But Hunter Dinkins lost the ball near the goal line on third down. James Jones recovered for White Hall, and the Bulldogs took over on a touchback.

De Queen forced a punt and resumed its attack at White Hall’s 43. Dinkins ran for 18 yards early in the possession, then rolled right from the Wildcat formation and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to John Maturino with 8:36 remaining in the half. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving the Leopards ahead 6-0.

White Hall had an apparent long touchdown pass erased by a penalty on its next possession. Evan Wolcott subsequently sacked Dylan Mitchell, forced a fumble and recovered at the Bulldogs’ 35. De Queen used nearly six minutes on the ensuing drive before Abraham Perez kicked a 27-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

The Leopards led 9-0 at halftime, with an 11-2 advantage in first downs. The broadcast credited Dinkins with 77 rushing yards on 16 first-half carries and Landen Wise with 49 yards on 12 attempts.

White Hall threatened immediately after the break, using completions to Champ Spears, Tyler Blankenship and Kel McEntire to move near the goal line. Wise recovered a fumble to end that possession, but the Bulldogs’ defense forced a punt and soon put the offense back in De Queen territory.

Bunch finished a 33-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run at the 6:08 mark of the third quarter. After White Hall stopped De Queen on downs at the Leopards’ 29, Bunch converted third-and-three and Mitchell found Blankenship for 13 yards to the 2. Bunch scored on the next play, and the extra point gave the Bulldogs a 14-9 lead.

White Hall intercepted a fourth-down pass early in the fourth quarter and extended its lead to 28-9. De Queen finally answered with an 80-yard, 12-play drive, capped by Dinkins’ 18-yard touchdown run. His two-point pass fell incomplete, leaving the Leopards behind 28-15 with 1:38 remaining.

The Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the remaining time.

Scoring Summary

2nd Quarter

De Queen — John Maturino 13-yard pass from Hunter Dinkins (kick unsuccessful), De Queen 6, White Hall 0. 8:36.

De Queen — Abraham Perez 27-yard field goal, De Queen 9, White Hall 0. 0:10.

3rd Quarter

White Hall — Caleb Bunch seven-yard run (kick successful), De Queen 9, White Hall 7. 6:08.

White Hall — Bunch two-yard run (Brinnick Riederer kick), White Hall 14, De Queen 9.

4th Quarter

De Queen — Dinkins 18-yard run (two-point pass incomplete), White Hall 28, De Queen 15. 1:38.

Players Who Stood Out

Caleb Bunch, White Hall — Scored on seven- and two-yard runs in the third quarter. Converted third-and-three during the go-ahead drive.

Dylan Mitchell, White Hall — Completed passes to Champ Spears, Tyler Blankenship and Kel McEntire during the opening third-quarter threat, and found Blankenship for 13 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Tyler Blankenship, White Hall — Caught a nine-yard pass for a first down early in the third quarter and a 13-yard pass to the 2 on the go-ahead scoring drive.

James Jones, White Hall — Recovered De Queen’s opening-possession fumble near the goal line, leading to a touchback.

Barry Williams, White Hall — Made the third-down stop that forced De Queen to punt after its early third-quarter fumble recovery.

Hunter Dinkins, De Queen — Threw a 13-yard touchdown pass and scored on an 18-yard run. Had 77 rushing yards on 16 carries at halftime; no verified final rushing total.

John Maturino, De Queen — Caught Dinkins’ 13-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first points.

Evan Wolcott, De Queen — Recorded a sack, forced fumble and recovery to set up a second-quarter field goal. Added a late four-yard tackle for loss.

Landen Wise, De Queen — Recovered a fumble near his own goal line in the third quarter. Had 49 rushing yards on 12 first-half carries.

Abraham Perez, De Queen — Made a 27-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the first half.