Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Sylvan Hills ended two years of frustration in stunning fashion Thursday night, outlasting Maumelle 55-54 in a Week 0 thriller at Blackwood Field. The victory snapped a 20-game losing streak for the Bears and gave new head coach Mark Kelley his first win with the program.

Quarterback Tyler Hampton set the tone early, racing 52 yards for a touchdown on the Bears’ opening drive. Tailback Isaiah Howell provided the spark in the second half, breaking loose for scoring runs of 30 and 60 yards while consistently gashing the Hornets’ front. Receiver Pierre Grimes added a back-breaking 40-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

Maumelle showcased its own firepower behind junior quarterback Levi Warrior, who threw three first-half touchdowns to receiver Christian “Jumpman” Jackson, the breakout star of the night. Jackson’s highlight reel included acrobatic grabs and a 95-yard kickoff return for a score. Senior running back Bubba Johnson pounded in a short touchdown, while senior Marshaun Wiley added two scores of his own, flashing his toughness between the tackles.

The Hornets had a chance to win late when Warrior found his younger brother, Isaac, for a touchdown with under 10 seconds left. Trailing by one, Maumelle went for two, handing to Johnson and in a close play at the goal line the officials ruled him short. Sylvan Hills recovered the onside kick and celebrated a 55-54 victory.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
• Sylvan Hills – Hampton 52-yd run (Velasquez kick), 7-0
• Maumelle – Wiley 5-yd run from Henry pitch (Moore kick), 7-7

2nd Quarter
• Sylvan Hills – Howell 30-yd run (Velasquez kick), 14-7
• Maumelle – Jackson 35-yd pass from Warrior (Moore kick), 14-14
• Maumelle – Jackson 20-yd pass from Warrior (2-pt good), 22-14
• Sylvan Hills – Hampton 8-yd run (kick good), 22-21
• Maumelle – Jackson 18-yd pass from Warrior (Moore kick), 29-21
• Sylvan Hills – Hampton 12-yd run (2-pt Griffin pass good), 29-29

3rd Quarter
• Maumelle – Wiley 4-yd run (kick blocked), 35-29
• Sylvan Hills – Hampton 6-yd run (kick good), 36-35
• Sylvan Hills – Howell 60-yd run (kick good), 43-35
• Maumelle – Jackson 95-yd kick return (Johnson run good), 43-43

4th Quarter
• Sylvan Hills – Grimes 40-yd catch (kick good), 50-43
• Sylvan Hills – Howell 25-yd run (kick missed), 55-48
• Maumelle – I. Warrior 10-yd pass from L. Warrior (2-pt run failed), 55-54