Blackmon scores on all 3 touches as Conway rolls past Central

Conway 49, Little Rock Central 7

October 16, 2026 | Hooten’s Arkansas Football

CONWAY — Kambrien Blackmon scored every time he touched the ball, Ryder Cook threw 4 touchdown passes and Conway built a 49-point halftime lead in a 49-7 homecoming victory over Little Rock Central on Friday at John McConnell Stadium.

Blackmon turned 2 carries into 88 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass. His 143 yards from scrimmage came on just 3 touches. Cook completed 11 of 16 passes for 193 yards as the Wampus Cats improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the 7A Central.

Central used much of the opening quarter on its first possession but came away empty. Trey Stewart helped the Tigers move into scoring territory before penalties pushed them backward. Conway pressured a 35-yard field-goal attempt that missed, then needed about a minute to reach the end zone.

Elijah Collum made a one-handed catch for a first down on that first Conway possession. Cook then released a deep pass as he was hit, finding Blackmon behind the coverage. Blackmon beat the remaining defender to finish the 55-yard score.

Cook added a touchdown pass to Jeremiah Carey on a slant, using a pump fake before delivering the ball. Conway’s defense supplied the next score. Jackson Braden rushed into the backfield and forced a fumble, and Caiden Sims scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown. The Wampus Cats led 21-0 before the first quarter ended.

Conway’s next scoring drive survived repeated holding penalties, including one that erased an apparent touchdown on a screen to Dereon Holt. Facing third-and-long, Cook stepped up against pressure and threw toward the sideline. Carey secured the pass and stayed in bounds for his second touchdown, making it 28-0 with 9:49 left in the half.

Blackmon scored on a reverse on Conway’s next possession, accelerating into open space on a one-play touchdown drive. His second rushing score came after Miles Perry recovered a muffed punt. Conway lined up in the Wing-T, and Blackmon carried defenders through contact near the 5-yard line into the end zone. The formation was part of a homecoming tribute to former Conway coach Kenny Smith.

Jeremy Gatewood intercepted a pass late in the half, and Cook finished the ensuing possession with a touchdown throw over the middle to Atraio McJoy. The extra point made it 49-0 with 50 seconds remaining before halftime. Carey finished with 2 catches, both touchdowns, while McJoy had 2 receptions for 48 yards and a score.

Braylan Allen added a second-half interception as Conway finished with 4 takeaways. The Wampus Cats outgained Central 380-198, according to the broadcast’s final statistics. Collum caught 3 passes for 26 yards, and MJ Gibson gained 32 yards on 2 carries.

Stewart scored Central’s touchdown with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Conway’s next game is at Pulaski Academy.

Scoring summary

First quarter Conway — Kambrien Blackmon, 55-yard pass from Ryder Cook (kick good). Conway 7-0.

First quarter Conway — Jeremiah Carey, pass from Ryder Cook (kick good). Conway 14-0.

First quarter Conway — Caiden Sims, fumble return (kick good). Conway 21-0.

Second quarter • 9:49 Conway — Jeremiah Carey, pass from Ryder Cook (kick good). Conway 28-0.

Second quarter Conway — Kambrien Blackmon, reverse run (kick good). Conway 35-0.

Second quarter Conway — Kambrien Blackmon, run (kick good). Conway 42-0.

Second quarter • 0:50 Conway — Atraio McJoy, pass from Ryder Cook (kick good). Conway 49-0.

Fourth quarter • 6:40 Little Rock Central — Trey Stewart, run (kick good). Conway 49-7.

Players who stood out

Kambrien Blackmon, Conway — 2 carries for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns; 1 catch for a 55-yard touchdown. Three touches, 143 yards and 3 scores.

Ryder Cook, Conway — 11-of-16 passing for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns; two scoring throws to Carey and one each to Blackmon and McJoy.

Jeremiah Carey and Atraio McJoy, Conway — Carey caught 2 touchdown passes. McJoy caught 2 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson Braden and Caiden Sims, Conway — Braden forced the fumble that Sims returned for a first-quarter touchdown.

Jeremy Gatewood, Braylan Allen and Miles Perry, Conway — Gatewood and Allen intercepted passes; Perry recovered a muffed punt that set up Blackmon’s second rushing touchdown.

Trey Stewart, Little Rock Central — Scored the Tigers’ fourth-quarter rushing touchdown after helping sustain their opening possession.