Hall Throws Five Touchdowns as Warriors Pull Away
Little Rock Christian 45, Harding Academy 13
LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Christian turned a four-point second-quarter lead into a 45-13 season-opening victory over Harding Academy on Friday.
Kicker Eric Cucos opened the scoring with a first-quarter field goal. The Warriors extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second when quarterback Haden Hall found receiver Mann Pickens for a 6-yard touchdown.
Harding answered after gaining short-field position. Quarterback Krews Wray kept the ball for a 1-yard touchdown, cutting the margin to 10-6 after the extra point missed.
Little Rock Christian controlled the closing minutes of the half. Running back Lynnox Smith scored from 2 yards, and Blake Haughaboo forced a fumble on Harding’s next possession. The Warriors recovered, and Hall immediately connected with Pickens for a 35-yard touchdown that produced a 24-6 halftime lead.
The Warriors ended the game’s competitive phase with three third-quarter touchdown passes. Hall hit Ridge Bowman for a 5-yard score, connected with Cooper Wilkerson for another touchdown and found Bowman again to make it 45-6. Harding completed the scoring in the fourth when Wray threw a touchdown pass to Bax Howell.
Hall completed 28 of 41 passes for 318 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Pickens caught nine passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, Bowman had nine receptions for 81 yards and two scores, and Wilkerson added seven catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. Smith carried 15 times for 76 yards and one score.
Little Rock Christian totaled 449 yards, including 374 through the air. Harding gained 276 yards. Wray completed 12 of 31 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. Howell supplied seven receptions for 138 yards and a score, while Ryan Ross rushed for 70 yards.
Haughaboo added six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and the forced fumble. Gideon Carlisle led the Warriors with nine tackles.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Little Rock Christian – Eric Cucos field goal, 3-0
2nd Quarter
Little Rock Christian – Haden Hall 6-yard touchdown pass to Mann Pickens (Cucos kick), 10-0
Harding Academy – Krews Wray 1-yard touchdown run (kick failed), 10-6
Little Rock Christian – Lynnox Smith 2-yard touchdown run (Cucos kick), 17-6
Little Rock Christian – Haden Hall 35-yard touchdown pass to Mann Pickens (Cucos kick), 24-6
3rd Quarter
Little Rock Christian – Haden Hall 5-yard touchdown pass to Ridge Bowman (Cucos kick), 31-6
Little Rock Christian – Haden Hall touchdown pass to Cooper Wilkerson (Cucos kick), 38-6
Little Rock Christian – Haden Hall touchdown pass to Ridge Bowman (Cucos kick), 45-6
4th Quarter
Harding Academy – Krews Wray touchdown pass to Bax Howell (PAT good), 45-13
Players Who Stood Out
- Haden Hall, Little Rock Christian, QB: Completed 28 of 41 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.
- Mann Pickens, Little Rock Christian, WR: Nine receptions for 121 yards, including touchdown catches of 6 and 35 yards.
- Ridge Bowman, Little Rock Christian, WR: Nine catches for 81 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns.
- Blake Haughaboo, Little Rock Christian: Six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble that led to a 35-yard touchdown pass.
- Bax Howell, Harding Academy, WR/DB: Seven receptions for 138 yards, including Harding’s fourth-quarter touchdown catch.