Goal-Line Recovery Preserves Malvern’s First Victory
Malvern 21, Haskell Harmony Grove 14
HASKELL — Malvern recovered three fourth-quarter fumbles, including one in its end zone in the final seconds, to secure a 21-14 victory over Haskell Harmony Grove on Friday.
Quarterback Aaron Pinkston rushed for two touchdowns and recovered the first of those three fumbles as the Leopards earned their first victory of the season.
Jeremiah Jimerson opened the scoring with a 29-yard run on fourth-and-four, giving Malvern a 7-0 lead with 8:52 remaining in the first quarter. Harmony Grove drove inside Malvern’s 15 on its first possession before the Leopards stopped the Cardinals on downs.
Zane Hathcock blocked a quick kick late in the second quarter. A 34-yard reception by Terrence Hawkins set up Pinkston’s 3-yard touchdown run with 29.5 seconds left, making it 14-0 at halftime. Pinkston entered halftime with 67 rushing yards and completed all four passes for 46 yards.
Harmony Grove retained possession after its third-quarter punt touched a Malvern player. Cash Potter then found tight end Korbyn Bradley for a 22-yard touchdown with 4:52 remaining in the period. The conversion failed.
Pinkston answered with his second rushing touchdown at 1:50, extending Malvern’s lead to 21-6.
The Cardinals recovered a fumble inside their own 15 in the fourth quarter. Ace Garcia caught a pass from Potter, then raced 70 yards for a touchdown on the next snap. Jackson Estes’ conversion run made it 21-14 with 6:35 left.
Harmony Grove recovered the ensuing onside kick and reached first-and-goal, but Malvern recovered a fumble at its 3 with 4:40 remaining. The Cardinals got another possession with 2:46 left, drove from their 43 to the goal line and converted fourth-and-four along the way. Bradley added a 30-yard reception on Harmony Grove’s final drive, reaching the Malvern 27.
Malvern recovered the final fumble for a touchback, and Pinkston knelt to end the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- Malvern – Jeremiah Jimerson 29-yard run (kick good), Malvern 7-0, 8:52.
2nd Quarter
- Malvern – Aaron Pinkston 3-yard run (kick good), Malvern 14-0, 0:29.5.
3rd Quarter
- Haskell Harmony Grove – Korbyn Bradley 22-yard pass from Cash Potter (conversion failed), Malvern 14-6, 4:52.
- Malvern – Aaron Pinkston touchdown run (kick good), Malvern 21-6, 1:50.
4th Quarter
- Haskell Harmony Grove – Ace Garcia 70-yard run (Jackson Estes run), Malvern 21-14, 6:35.
Players of the Game
- Aaron Pinkston, Malvern: Two rushing touchdowns and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery. Had 67 rushing yards and 46 passing yards at halftime.
- Jeremiah Jimerson, Malvern: Scored on a 29-yard fourth-down run. Had two carries for 40 yards in the first half.
- Zane Hathcock, Malvern: Blocked a quick kick that set up Malvern’s touchdown just before halftime.
- Ace Garcia, Haskell Harmony Grove: Scored on a 70-yard run with 6:35 remaining, immediately after catching a pass on the preceding play.
- Korbyn Bradley, Haskell Harmony Grove: Caught a 22-yard touchdown pass and added a 30-yard reception on the Cardinals’ final possession.