Kear’s 55-Yard Field Goal Highlights Conway’s Conference-Opening Win

Conway 45, Fort Smith Northside 7

FORT SMITH — Crosby Kear’s 55-yard field goal as the first half expired gave Conway a 24-7 lead, and the Wampus Cats scored touchdowns on their first three second-half possessions to beat Fort Smith Northside 45-7 Friday at Mayo-Thompson Stadium.

The Conway Corp broadcast, citing Wampus Cat historian David Grimes, identified Kear’s kick as the longest in school history. Kear also made all six extra points as Conway improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the 7A Central. Northside is 2-2 and 0-1. 09/25/2026

Ryder Cook completed 13 of 16 passes and threw touchdowns to Elijah Collum, Kambrien Blackmon and Jeremiah Carey. Dillan Mabry added two rushing touchdowns, both in the third quarter.

Conway scored on its first possession after forcing a punt. On third-and-8, Cook found Collum open down the sideline for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Northside answered defensively on Conway’s next possession, stopping Cook on fourth-and-1 at the Grizzlies’ 21. Montrell Jackson kept Northside’s offense moving with third-down completions to Cain Teague and Keelan Mendoza.

Conway extended its lead with 7:49 left in the second quarter. Cook scrambled for a first down during the drive, then found Blackmon for a 12-yard touchdown. Blackmon caught the ball while leaning backward through contact near the corner of the end zone.

Cayden Dye tackled Cook for a 6-yard loss on Conway’s next possession, but Cook answered with a 67-yard completion to Atraio McJoy at the Northside 8. Dereon Holt gained 3 yards, then took an option pitch for a 5-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 3:14 left.

Northside reached the end zone before halftime. A reverse pass to Vonjay Johnson moved the Grizzlies to Conway’s 19. On third-and-7, Jackson threw a 16-yard touchdown to Teague in double coverage with 44 seconds remaining. Jonathan Romero’s kick made it 21-7.

Cook’s completions to Carey and Blackmon moved Conway into Northside territory, but Dye recorded two sacks on the possession. With two seconds left, Conway sent out Kear, whose 55-yard attempt bounced off an upright and through as time expired.

McJoy opened the second half with a 47-yard reception to Northside’s 7. Mabry scored two plays later, extending Conway’s lead to 31-7.

Coleson Ashcraft stopped a fake punt on Northside’s next possession. Conway converted that opportunity when Cook found Carey for a touchdown on a back-shoulder throw near the pylon.

Mabry’s second touchdown completed Conway’s next drive and made it 45-7. Carey caught two passes during the possession, and Collum’s reception moved the ball to the 5 before Mabry scored.

McJoy finished with two catches for 114 yards. Holt rushed eight times for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Mabry scored twice on five carries for 17 yards.

Conway’s reserves preserved the score in the fourth quarter. Jackson Braden made a third-down tackle for loss, and the defense stopped Northside on fourth-and-3 inside the 20 in the final minute.

Scoring Summary

Players Who Stood Out

• Crosby Kear, Conway: Made a 55-yard field goal as the first half expired and all six extra points.
• Ryder Cook, Conway: Completed 13 of 16 passes with three touchdowns, one each to Collum, Blackmon and Carey.
• Atraio McJoy, Conway: Caught two passes for 114 yards. His 67- and 47-yard receptions set up rushing touchdowns.
• Dillan Mabry, Conway: Rushed five times for 17 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns.
• Dereon Holt, Conway: Carried eight times for 59 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown on an option pitch.
• Kambrien Blackmon, Conway: Caught five passes for 53 yards and a 12-yard touchdown.
• Jeremiah Carey, Conway: Caught four passes, including a third-quarter touchdown on a back-shoulder throw.
• Elijah Collum, Conway: Finished with two catches for 50 yards, including the opening touchdown on third-and-8.
• Coleson Ashcraft, Conway: Stopped Northside’s third-quarter fake punt, giving Conway possession before Carey’s touchdown.
• Jackson Braden, Conway: Made a third-down tackle for loss during the scoreless fourth quarter.
• Cayden Dye, Northside: Recorded two sacks on Conway’s final first-half possession and tackled Cook for a 6-yard loss on an earlier drive.
• Montrell Jackson, Northside: Threw a 16-yard touchdown to Teague on third-and-7 with 44 seconds left before halftime.
• Cain Teague, Northside: Caught Northside’s 16-yard touchdown in double coverage and converted a first-quarter third-and-13 with a reception.
• Vonjay Johnson, Northside: Caught a reverse pass that moved Northside to Conway’s 19 during its touchdown drive.