Special teams shine as Conway routs Southwest

Published On: September 30, 2025Categories: High School, News

Conway 57, Little Rock Southwest 21

CONWAY — Conway opened 7A‑Central play with a three‑phase clinic, racing past Little Rock Southwest 57‑21 at John McConnell Stadium. Senior defensive back Tay Lockett set the tone on the opening kick, sprinting 90 yards for a touchdown and later adding a 55‑yard punt‑return score plus a second‑half interception as the Wampus Cats seized control early.

Sophomore quarterback Ryder Cook looked poised in his second start, going 5‑of‑6 for 160 yards, including a deep strike to junior playmaker Kambrien Blackmon (4 catches, 129 yards, TD). Senior Carter Crow continued to thrive in the Wildcat package with a first‑quarter scoring run, and senior tailbacks Trey Harris and Amari Davis added rushing touchdowns before halftime. Kicker Will Upton tacked on a 26‑yard field goal and extra points to push the margin beyond the sportsmanship threshold before the break.

Conway’s defense swarmed. Sophomore linebacker Reagan Choate triggered multiple stops, senior safety Hayden Green delivered sturdy open‑field tackles, and senior lineman Tony Holliman notched a drive‑killing sack as the Gryphons were limited to one first‑half score.

Southwest showed resilience. Senior quarterback Derrick Vasser extended plays with his legs and tossed a second‑half touchdown, while sophomore running back Tyler Jackson powered in two short scoring runs. Senior tackle Cornelius Manning and senior tight end Gary Kirkendoll steered a massive front that sprung several chunk gains.

With the win, Buck James’s Wampus Cats improved to 3‑1, 1‑0; Chadwick Lewis’s Gryphons fell to 0‑4, 0‑1.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Conway – Tay Lockett 90‑yd kickoff return (Upton kick), 7‑0.
Conway – Carter Crow 46‑yd run (Upton kick), 14‑0.
Conway – Trey Harris 2‑yd run (Upton kick), 21‑0.
Conway – Tay Lockett 55‑yd punt return (Upton kick), 28‑0.
Conway – Kambrien Blackmon pass from Ryder Cook (kick failed), 34‑0.

2nd Quarter
Conway – Will Upton 26‑yd FG, 37‑0.
LR Southwest – Tyler Jackson 1‑yd run (kick good), 37‑7.
Conway – Amari Davis long run (Upton kick), 44‑7.

3rd Quarter
Conway – Dillan Mabry run (Upton kick), 51‑7.
LR Southwest – Derrick Vasser TD pass (kick failed), 51‑13.

4th Quarter
Conway – Marcus Cox 4‑yd run (kick failed), 57‑13.
LR Southwest – Tyler Jackson 6‑yd run (kick good), 57‑21.