Rose’s four touchdowns lift Mena past Waldron in homecoming comeback

Mena 38, Waldron 31

MENA — Mena erased a nine-point halftime deficit, scored 32 second-half points and survived four fourth-quarter lead changes to beat Waldron 38-31 Friday night. The Bearcats improved to 2-2 and handed the Bulldogs their first loss in four games.

Hank Rose scored four rushing touchdowns, including the winning touchdown on a run up the middle late in the fourth quarter. Chance Hughes supplied the game’s longest scoring play, a 99-yard touchdown run following a third-quarter takeaway near Mena’s goal line. The Bearcats ultimately secured the victory by recovering another fumble with about 30 seconds remaining.

Waldron established its running game early, using direct snaps, heavy formations and pulling blockers to move the ball. The Bulldogs finished their opening possession with a rushing touchdown and added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Mena moved the chains on its first possession, including a third-down reception by Stradden House, but an interception on a downfield throw ended that opportunity.

Max Dollarhyde contributed a backfield stop during Waldron’s next possession. Mena eventually answered offensively with a sustained second-quarter drive, finishing on Rose’s 13-yard touchdown run to the left. The unsuccessful extra point left Waldron ahead 7-6. The Bulldogs then scored another rushing touchdown late in the half and converted a two-point try to take a 15-6 advantage into the break.

Mena answered immediately after halftime. Rose scored on the Bearcats’ first offensive play of the third quarter, and a successful two-point conversion cut the deficit to 15-14. Waldron drove back toward the end zone, but Mena recovered a fumble near its goal line. Hughes turned the ensuing snap into a 99-yard touchdown, working through traffic before breaking away. Another two-point conversion gave Mena its first lead, 22-15.

Neither offense surrendered the lead quietly in the fourth quarter. Waldron scored on a short run and converted for two points to move ahead 23-22. Rose answered with a touchdown, and Mena’s conversion made it 30-23. The Bulldogs responded with another rushing touchdown and two-point conversion, reclaiming a 31-30 advantage.

Mena began its winning possession at its own 29 and picked up first downs on the ground. Rose finished the drive with his fourth touchdown, and the Bearcats completed their fourth successful two-point conversion of the second half for a 38-31 lead. Waldron advanced back toward midfield on its final possession, but Mena’s late fumble recovery ended the comeback attempt and preserved the homecoming victory.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Waldron: Rushing touchdown; extra-point kick good. Waldron 7, Mena 0.

Second quarter

Mena: Hank Rose 13-yard touchdown run; extra-point attempt unsuccessful. Waldron 7, Mena 6.

Waldron: Rushing touchdown; two-point conversion good. Waldron 15, Mena 6.

Third quarter

Mena: Hank Rose touchdown run on the Bearcats’ first offensive play of the half; two-point conversion good. Waldron 15, Mena 14.

Mena: Chance Hughes 99-yard touchdown run; two-point conversion good. Mena 22, Waldron 15.

Fourth quarter

Waldron: Short rushing touchdown; two-point conversion good. Waldron 23, Mena 22.

Mena: Hank Rose touchdown run; two-point conversion good. Mena 30, Waldron 23.

Waldron: Rushing touchdown; two-point conversion good. Waldron 31, Mena 30.

Mena: Hank Rose touchdown run up the middle; two-point conversion good. Mena 38, Waldron 31.

Players who stood out

Hank Rose, Mena: Scored four rushing touchdowns, including a 13-yard second-quarter score and both of Mena’s fourth-quarter touchdowns. His final touchdown erased a 31-30 deficit.

Chance Hughes, Mena: Broke a 99-yard touchdown run immediately after a third-quarter takeaway near Mena’s goal line. The score and ensuing conversion put the Bearcats ahead for the first time, 22-15.

Stradden House, Mena: Adjusted to a high throw and completed a third-down reception for a first down during Mena’s opening possession.

Max Dollarhyde, Mena: Penetrated the backfield for a second-quarter stop behind the line during Waldron’s possession following the interception.

Waiting to confirm players for Waldron