MAVERICKS RUN PAST LR CENTRAL

FORT SMITH -- Playing for its playoff survival, Fort Smith Southside came alive offensively for the first time in weeks to defeat Little Rock Central, 48-39. The Mavericks (3-6, 2-4) must defeat city rival Fort Smith Northside next week or have the Tigers (3-6, 0-6) beat Little Rock Catholic to clinch a playoff berth. "We are just starting the playoff a week early," Southside coach Jeff Williams said of next week's game at Northside. "We know what we have to do to make the playoffs." The Mavericks rushed for 364 yards and had two players gain more than 100 yards -- quarterback Graves Schmidley (156 on 14 carries and a touchdown) and tailback Kobe Rogers (114 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns). "We couldn't stop them tonight. That was the bottom line," Tiger coach Scooter Register said. "We had chances and we scored points tonight. We never gave up and that is what I was most proud of." Williams said his offensive line deserves the lion's share of praise for his team's offensive output. The Mavericks gained 508 total yards. "We sustained some drives tonight and that is because the offensive line played well," Williams said. "We were able to run the ball when we wanted to. In this league a win is a win. I thought we played well tonight." Southside began to pull away in the second quarter, scoring on three straight possessions to turn a 12-10 lead in to a 34-10 advantage late in the half. Prince Rhoden picked off a Jacob Howard pass for a 25-yard touchdown return for a 19-10 lead. After forcing a Tiger punt, the Mavericks marched 95 yards in 9 plays capped by a 5-yard toss from Schmidley to Ryan Horn. Taye Gatewood ran in the 2-point conversion for a 27-10 lead with 2:53 left in the second quarter. The Southside defense forced a quick three-and-out and got the ball back at its 33. Schmidley kept on an inside run and raced untouched 67 yards for the score as the Mavericks opened up a 34-10 lead with 1:34 left before halftime. Central scored just before halftime and added a field goal to start the third quarter to climb within 34-10, but Southside put the game away with consecutive touchdown drives. Parker Dixon finished off a 84-yard, 9-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run while Rogers scored from 9 yard out with six seconds left in the third period to give the Mavericks a commanding 48-26 lead. Central receiver Kivi Murray caught three touchdown passes in the second half, including two in the final period to get the Tigers to within 48-39. Southside, though, recovered two onside kicks in the quarter and ran out the final five minutes of the game.

Central High School Athletics

MAVERICKS RUN PAST LR CENTRAL