Hahn, Patterson power Siloam Springs to first victory

Siloam Springs 35, Little Rock Southwest 24

LITTLE ROCK — Cooper Hahn rushed for three touchdowns and threw a fourth-quarter scoring pass to Emerett Patterson as Siloam Springs defeated Little Rock Southwest 35-24 Friday night for its first victory under coach Marshall Hahn.

The Panthers broke a 14-14 halftime tie by scoring touchdowns on their first three second-half possessions. Siloam Springs improved to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in 6A-West play, while Southwest dropped to 0-5 and 0-2.

Patterson supplied two long receptions to set up Hahn’s third rushing touchdown, then turned a screen pass into a 30-yard score with 6:15 remaining. The Panthers’ defense prevented Southwest’s offense from reaching the end zone after the first quarter.

Siloam Springs started quickly behind Jayden Coleman’s opening kickoff return into Southwest territory. After losing yardage on the first offensive play, the Panthers answered with a Patterson reception and a Hahn keeper that moved the ball inside the 10. Hahn finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run at the 9:07 mark. A mishandled conversion attempt left the lead at 6-0.

Southwest answered with touchdowns on its first two possessions. Mario Maxwell provided early rushing gains, and Tyler Jackson broke free after a short pass before Marcus Smith tracked him down. The Gryphons led 14-6 after a successful two-point run following their second touchdown.

Siloam Springs pulled even in the second quarter. Izael Beleche powered a run into the red zone, and Patterson took an option pitch to the 2. Beleche subsequently scored on a short run. Patterson added the tying two-point conversion on a reverse with 6:51 remaining.

The Panthers forced a punt and recovered a fumble before halftime, but Andrew Bernardo’s 45-yard field-goal attempt fell short on the half’s final play.

After another defensive stop to open the third quarter, Siloam Springs drove 85 yards for the go-ahead score. Hahn kept for a first down from deep in Panthers territory, and Landon Golding contributed a run across midfield. The possession reached fourth-and-goal at the 3 before Hahn kept the ball and scored with 4:45 remaining. Bernardo’s kick made it 21-14.

Two Patterson catches carried the next possession to the Southwest 5. Hahn scored on the first play of the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 28-14.

Southwest immediately answered with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a two-point conversion, cutting the margin to 28-22. Siloam Springs responded with another sustained drive. Beleche converted fourth-and-one, and Patterson threw to Smith on a fourth-down reverse pass before catching the decisive screen-pass touchdown from Hahn.

Southwest reached the Panthers’ 12 on its next possession, but Siloam Springs recovered a fumble with 5:19 left. A high punt snap later resulted in a safety, making it 35-24. Spencer Wiebe helped stop Southwest’s final possession before an incomplete fourth-down pass returned the ball to the Panthers with 1:41 remaining.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Siloam Springs — Cooper Hahn 7-yard run (conversion failed after mishandled snap). Siloam Springs 6, Little Rock Southwest 0. 9:07.

Second Quarter

Siloam Springs — Izael Beleche short run (Emerett Patterson two-point run). Siloam Springs 14, Little Rock Southwest 14. 6:51.

Third Quarter

Siloam Springs — Hahn 3-yard run (Andrew Bernardo kick). Siloam Springs 21, Little Rock Southwest 14. 4:45.

Fourth Quarter

Siloam Springs — Hahn 5-yard run (Bernardo kick). Siloam Springs 28, Little Rock Southwest 14. 11:56.

Siloam Springs — Patterson 30-yard pass from Hahn (Bernardo kick). Siloam Springs 35, Little Rock Southwest 22. 6:15.

Players Who Stood Out

Cooper Hahn, Siloam Springs — Three rushing touchdowns, from 7, 3 and 5 yards, and a 30-yard touchdown pass; his fourth-and-goal run broke the third-quarter tie.

Emerett Patterson, Siloam Springs — A 30-yard touchdown reception, a two-point run and a fourth-down completion to Marcus Smith. Two substantial catches on the Panthers’ second second-half possession set up another touchdown.

Izael Beleche, Siloam Springs — Second-quarter rushing touchdown and a fourth-and-one conversion on the final touchdown drive.

Andrew Bernardo, Siloam Springs — Three successful second-half extra points.

Spencer Wiebe, Siloam Springs — Third-down tackle after a mishandled snap helped force Southwest’s final turnover on downs.

Marcus Smith, Siloam Springs — A fourth-down reception extended the last scoring drive; earlier tracked down Tyler Jackson after a long catch-and-run.