Defense, Henry pace Hornets past Badgers in scrappy opener

Maumelle 27, Beebe 14

Maumelle leaned on a turnover-hungry defense and senior running back Jacob Henry to grind out a 27–14 5A Central opener over Beebe on Friday night. After a choppy first half marked by penalties and an early injury stoppage, the Hornets seized control with a third‑quarter pick‑six and a late strike through the air, then bled the clock on the ground.

Henry set the tone with two decisive touchdown runs and vision behind a maturing offensive line. He also contributed on defense, snagging an interception and pouncing on a fumble as Maumelle flipped field position and momentum. Quarterback Levi Warrior managed the game effectively, extending plays outside the pocket and finding receivers in tight windows.

Beebe answered behind workhorse back Curtis Goodrich, whose physical first‑quarter score capped a methodical march, and quarterback Tai McCormack, who powered in late to keep the Badgers within two possessions. Receiver Cam Johnson consistently moved the chains on slants and screens, while kicker Andy Rodriguez converted both PATs and executed a crafty onside to open the half.

The game pivoted out of intermission. Defensive back Chad Mayweather jumped a throw and sprinted back a touchdown to make it a two‑score margin, then Warrior hit Christian Jackson on a scramble‑drill toss for breathing room. Receiver Jackson Hampton was a reliable middle‑of‑the‑field target, and two‑way sparkplug Bubba Johnson helped close it out with tough fourth‑quarter carries. Up front, the Hornets’ front seven—keyed by edge presence and rally tackling—bottled Beebe’s inside zone in the second half.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Maumelle – Jacob Henry 7-yard run (Dylan Moran kick), Maumelle 7–0
Beebe – Curtis Goodrich 6-yard run (Andy Rodriguez kick), 7–7

2nd Quarter
Maumelle – Jacob Henry 21-yard run (kick blocked), Maumelle 13–7

3rd Quarter
Maumelle – Chad Mayweather interception return (Jackson Hampton 2‑pt pass from Levi Warrior), Maumelle 21–7
Maumelle – Christian Jackson pass from Levi Warrior (conversion failed), Maumelle 27–7

4th Quarter
Beebe – Tai McCormack QB keeper (Rodriguez kick), Maumelle 27–14

Players who stood out

• Jacob Henry (Maumelle RB/SS): 2 rushing TDs; key fumble recovery and INT on defense.

• Christian Jackson (Maumelle WR/DB): 5 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD.

• Chad Mayweather (Maumelle DB/RB): Pick‑six that broke the game open.

• Curtis Goodrich (Beebe RB/OLB): 19 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD.

• Kameron Johnson (Beebe FS/WR): 4 receptions, 48 yards; chain‑moving targets.