SMACKOVER – A year ago, Smackover and Barton played a thriller with the Bucks coming out on top 14-12.
In the rematch on Friday, the schools played another thriller that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.
Brandon Lockhart connected with Daylon Curley on a 54-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left in the game to lift the Bucks past the Bears 22-14 in a 6-3A clash.
The win snaps a three-game slide for the Bucks (3-4, 1-3), while the Bears (1-5, 1-3) lost their second straight.
For a time, it looked like the Bucks and Bears were headed for overtime.
In the final minute of regulation, the Bucks punted to give the Bears the ball back, but on the first play of the drive, Jakessio Welch intercepted a pass to give the Bucks the ball back.
That set the stage for Lockhart and Curley to collaborate on the game-winning touchdown moments later.
Jarius Burgie then scored on the two-point conversion to make the final margin.
“Proud of the kids tonight and how hard they fought,” said Smackover coach David Osborn. “We were a little beat up from the Rison game, but the kids responded well and fought to the end.”
The Bucks trailed 8-2 at intermission but tied the game at the 4:08 mark of the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Lockhart.
The game was tied 8-all after three periods of play, but the Bucks and Bears would trade blows in the final period.
After a touchdown was called back due to a penalty, Lockhart connected with D’Kylan Hildreth on an 11-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal to give the Bucks their first lead since the second quarter.
The two-point conversion failed to leave the Bucks ahead 14-8.
But the Bears answered with a touchdown of their own with 2:17 left to tie the game, but their bid to take the lead on the two-point conversion try was stopped by the Bucks.
On the ensuing possession, the Bucks had to punt the ball away, but Welch’s interception, his second of the game, helped pave the way for the dramatic finish.
“We had big nights from Jakessio Welch on defense with two big interceptions,” Osborn said. “Our backs Burgie and Curley ran hard. Our quarterback Lockhart did well and took advantage of what they gave us, and D’Kylan Hildreth came up with some big plays for us. Overall, it was a good homecoming experience for our kids.”
The Bucks hit the road next week for a showdown against Pine Bluff Dollarway.
The Bears return home to host McGehee.