Hayter’s five TDs power Springdale past Cabot in 7A playoffs
Springdale 55, Cabot 31
SPRINGDALE — Springdale’s option attack overwhelmed Cabot in the 7A first round, with quarterback Carson Hayter accounting for six touchdowns as the Bulldogs pulled away after a fast start. Hayter rushed for five scores, including a fourth‑and‑two 58‑yard keeper, and later tossed a late‑second‑quarter strike to receiver/defensive back Albert Birge off a gadget look keyed by middle linebacker Easton Hahn. Running back Wilder Lherisse added a 50‑yard touchdown burst early in the fourth quarter, while kicker AJ Woods bookended the night with field goals of 50 and 44 yards and was perfect on extra points. Rancel Orellana churned steady yards between the tackles to set up short scoring plunges. Springdale’s young offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage for long stretches.
Cabot answered repeatedly. Quarterback Maddox McCrory topped 300 passing yards and hit wideout Aeneas Arnoldon a 56‑yard touchdown in the first quarter. Running back Cooper Powell powered in two short touchdowns and kicker Dean Heyer converted a 27‑yard field goal as the Panthers briefly cut the deficit to 31‑17 before halftime. Jalyn Hart’sreturn work and linebacker Joseph Raml’s tackling helped Cabot steady the middle stretches, but Springdale’s young line and depth backs kept the chains moving and the clock running. Hahn, Rackson Rechim and Yandel Sanchez led a disciplined secondary that limited explosive plays after halftime, while Shem Paul added a sack. Cabot closed the night with a late score by junior Kylan Morse. With the win, Springdale advances to face top‑seeded Bentonville in next week’s second round.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter Springdale – AJ Woods 50‑yd field goal, SHS 3‑0.
1st Quarter Springdale – Carson Hayter 58‑yd run (Woods kick), SHS 10‑0.
1st Quarter Cabot – Aeneas Arnold 56‑yd pass from Maddox McCrory (Heyer kick), SHS 10‑7.
1st Quarter Springdale – Hayter 2‑yd run (Woods kick), SHS 17‑7.
2nd Quarter Springdale – Hayter short run (Woods kick), SHS 24‑7.
2nd Quarter Springdale – Hayter run (Woods kick), SHS 31‑7.
2nd Quarter Cabot – Cooper Powell 1‑yd run (Heyer kick), SHS 31‑14.
2nd Quarter Cabot – Heyer 27‑yd field goal, SHS 31‑17.
2nd Quarter Springdale – Albert Birge pass from Hayter (Woods kick), SHS 38‑17.
3rd Quarter Springdale – Hayter 1‑yd run (Woods kick), SHS 45‑17.
3rd Quarter Cabot – Powell 2‑yd run (Heyer kick), SHS 45‑24.
4th Quarter Springdale – Lherisse 50‑yd run (Woods kick), SHS 52‑24.
4th Quarter Springdale – Woods 44‑yd field goal, SHS 55‑24.
4th Quarter Cabot – Kylan Morse 2‑yd run (Heyer kick), SHS 55‑31.
Players who stood out
• Carson Hayter, QB (Springdale) — five rushing TDs, one TD pass.
• Wilder Lherisse, RB (Springdale) — 50‑yard TD; chunk runs late.
• Easton Hahn, MLB (Springdale) — interception; key stops.
• Maddox McCrory, QB (Cabot) — 300+ passing yards; long TD to Arnold.
• Cooper Powell, RB (Cabot) — two short rushing TDs.