Loughridge’s three touchdown catches lift Alma past Morrilton
Alma 27, Morrilton 14
MORRILTON — Hudson Loughridge caught three touchdown passes from Jay Lemieux, and Dallas Perkins broke a 58-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter as Alma defeated Morrilton 27-14 Friday night in 5A-West play.
Loughridge scored twice on fourth-down passes before halftime, then added a 26-yard touchdown reception with 3:50 remaining. Perkins’ long run ended a scoreless second-half stretch and gave Alma a 21-7 lead with 11:31 left.
Morrilton receiver Champ McNabb finished with 10 catches for 114 yards, according to the school broadcast’s postgame statistics. The broadcast reported that McNabb became the Devil Dogs’ career receptions leader during the game, finishing the night with 205 catches.
Alma opened with a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. Facing fourth-and-goal at the 2, Lemieux rolled right and found Loughridge in the corner of the end zone. Cade Moore’s extra point made it 7-0 with 9:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Morrilton answered with a six-play, 64-yard drive. Maddox Turnipseed scrambled for 13 yards on third-and-21, then connected with McNabb on fourth-and-eight for a 34-yard gain to the 1. Dalton Shirley scored on the next play, and Giovanni Santos tied it with the extra point at the 4:48 mark.
Izaac Plourde intercepted a Morrilton pass and returned it deep into Devil Dogs territory, but Alma failed to capitalize after a missed field goal. The Airedales regained the lead late in the half when Lemieux escaped pressure on fourth-and-10 and found Loughridge at the back of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. Moore’s kick made it 14-7 with 1:50 left.
Morrilton forced three consecutive three-and-outs in the third quarter but could not turn those stops into points. The score remained 14-7 entering the fourth before Perkins took a handoff at Alma’s 42 and ran untouched through the middle for a touchdown.
The Devil Dogs subsequently reached the Alma 28 but turned the ball over on downs with seven minutes remaining. Perkins supplied several productive runs on the ensuing possession, and Loughridge caught a pass near the sideline, cut inside defenders and finished the 26-yard touchdown. Moore’s extra-point attempt missed left, leaving Alma ahead 27-7.
Ja’Kobe Chambers directed Morrilton’s final scoring drive. McNabb’s 17-yard reception moved the ball to the 20, and Chambers scrambled 13 yards on third-and-10 before throwing a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jy’mire Evans. Santos’ kick cut the deficit to 27-14 with 1:39 left. Alma recovered the ensuing onside kick and held on.
The broadcast credited Shirley with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Alec Jones led Morrilton’s reported defensive totals with seven tackles, including three tackles for loss.
Scoring summary
First quarter
9:10 — Alma — Hudson Loughridge 2-yard pass from Jay Lemieux (Cade Moore kick). Alma 7, Morrilton 0.
4:48 — Morrilton — Dalton Shirley 1-yard run (Giovanni Santos kick). Tied 7-7.
Second quarter
1:50 — Alma — Hudson Loughridge 20-yard pass from Jay Lemieux (Cade Moore kick). Alma 14, Morrilton 7.
Fourth quarter
11:31 — Alma — Dallas Perkins 58-yard run (Cade Moore kick). Alma 21, Morrilton 7.
3:50 — Alma — Hudson Loughridge 26-yard pass from Jay Lemieux (kick failed). Alma 27, Morrilton 7.
1:39 — Morrilton — Jy’mire Evans 7-yard pass from Ja’Kobe Chambers (Giovanni Santos kick). Alma 27, Morrilton 14.
Players who stood out
Hudson Loughridge, Alma — Three touchdown catches: 2, 20 and 26 yards. The first two came on fourth down.
Jay Lemieux, Alma — Threw all three touchdown passes to Loughridge, including fourth-and-goal and fourth-and-10 conversions.
Dallas Perkins, Alma — 58-yard touchdown run with 11:31 remaining; supplied multiple gains on Alma’s final touchdown drive.
Izaac Plourde, Alma — Intercepted a pass and returned it deep into Morrilton territory.
Champ McNabb, Morrilton — Broadcast-reported 10 catches for 114 yards; became the school’s career receptions leader with 205, according to the broadcast.
Dalton Shirley, Morrilton — Broadcast-reported 15 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Alec Jones, Morrilton — Broadcast-reported seven tackles, including three tackles for loss.