By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
Searcy quarterback Mason Schucker passed for 420 yards and four touchdowns Friday as the Lions shocked El Dorado 38-21 in the 6A state quarterfinals at Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats ended their season with a 9-2 record.
El Dorado dug itself an early 14-0 hole against a potent offense. Even when the Wildcats thought they were climbing out, a play, a call, a bounce went the opposite way.
“I just don’t think we played real well overall,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed. “I thought their quarterback was really accurate tonight. He made a lot of tough throws and they got momentum going and we never got it turned. There were times when it looked like we’d get back in the game. But, the plays that can help you, it seemed like we didn’t make any of those.”
Trailing 14-0, El Dorado’s Richard Kesee broke loose for what appeared to be a 42-yard touchdown run. He was dragged down in the end zone. The ball popped free when he hit the ground and rolled out of bounds. Instead a touchdown, it was called a touchback and Searcy was awarded the ball.
“It was a great effort by (Kesee) and we blocked it really well. That’s kind of the way the night went,” said Reed. “Unfortunately, we didn’t overcome those things.”
The Wildcats were flagged for pass interference twice, including once on a fourth-and-10 play. Searcy converted another fourth-and-10 after a roughing-the-passer penalty.
But, El Dorado missed a 28-yard field goal and had trouble containing the Lions’ speed at receiver.
Alonzo Tripp had seven receptions for 196 yards. Schucker, who completed 20-of-39 passes, had completions of 62, 60, 40, 38, 36 and 30 yards in the game.
“I don’t think we ever settled in and played the way we’re capable of playing,” said Reed.
“The truth is, we didn’t play well enough to win tonight and Searcy did. Congratulations to them.”
El Dorado quarterback Darius Holly completed 17-of-31 for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
The senior also rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Taliq Ellis had eight receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats managed 532 yards of offense but had three turnovers, including two interceptions.
Early in the game, receiver Keshun Greene took a hit on an incomplete pass across the middle of the field.
He left the game with an injury and did not return.
“It looked like we got shook when Keshun got hurt. Our kids are really close to him,” said Reed.
“I challenged them at the half that Keshun would want them to play hard and get it done so he’d have a chance to play again.
“And, I thought they did. But, it seemed like every time we got something going, something went the other way.
“The truth is, we didn’t play well enough tonight and that’s on me.”
Searcy drove 80 yards in eight plays on its first possession. Schucker hit Gabe Chapman for a 5-yard touchdown.
Peyton Wright kicked the PAT with 9:32 left in the first.
The Wildcats went three-and-out and the Lions immediately went on a 71-yard drive, capped by Chapman’s 1-yard run. Wright’s kick pushed the lead to 14-0 with 5:37 left in the first.
El Dorado crossed midfield just once in the half and that was on Kesee’s long run.
The Wildcats opened the second half, however, with an 80-yard drive in nine plays.
Holly would bootleg into the end zone from six yards out.
Greysen Hubbard’s kick cut the deficit to 14-7 with 8:53 left in the third.
The Lions answered with a drive, keyed by Schucker’s 62-yard pass to Trenton Turner, which set up Wright’s 32-yard field goal with 6:57 left in the third.
The Wildcats threatened as Holly connected with Ellis for 54 yards to the Searcy 16.
But, on second-and-12, Holly’s pass was intercepted by the Lions’ Tahj Franklin.
El Dorado’s defense would hold at midfield but the Wildcats’ ensuing drive stalled at the 11.
Hubbard’s 28-yard field goal missed to the left.
The Lions grabbed the game by the throat with an 80-yard drive, capped by Tripp’s 60-yard touchdown reception with 11:03 left in the fourth.
The PAT pushed the lead to 24-7.
El Dorado had to respond and did. Holly had a 20-yard run before hitting Ellis for, what should’ve been a 15-yard gain.
Instead, the speedster bolted through three defenders and raced 65 yards to the end zone. Hubbard’s kick cut the lead to 24-14 with 10:24 left in the fourth.
The Wildcats went for the onsides kick with El Dorado’s Jacoby Hankton emerging from the pile with the football.
Possession, however, was awarded to the Lions.
Tim Williams had a 30-yard reception to the 5-yard line.
On third-and-goal, Schucker flipped a pass to Catrell Green on a tackle-eligible play for a 5-yard touchdown.
The kick pushed the lead to 31-14 with 7:29 remaining.
The Wildcats went down the field and answered. Holly had a 50-yard scramble before hitting Ellis on fourth down for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
The kick cut the margin to 31-21 with 6:21 left on the clock.
The Lions recovered the onsides kick at the 48.
The Wildcats had to have a defensive stop but, on fourth-and-1, Schucker hit Tripp for 18 yards.
On fourth-and-goal from the 2, Schucker connected with Williams in the back of the end zone, applying the dagger with 1:33 left in the game.
“It’s tough to take right now because we have a very good football team and our season is over,” said Reed.
“The key to me tonight, was (Schucker) was really good with the ball. They did a good job protecting him. And, we turned it over and they didn’t.”
Searcy improved to 10-2 on the season and travels to Pine Bluff next week in the semifinals.