Catholic rallies in 4th to stun Pointers

Oh, what a difference a half makes, or even a quarter. Little Rock Catholic rallied for four touchdowns in the fourth quarter for a shocking, 35-27, come-from-behind win over Van Buren at War Memorial Stadium on Friday night in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Catholic (7-4) advances to play Bentonville, the 7A-West winner, in the second round. The Rockets scored four touchdowns in a span of nine minutes in the final quarter on Friday. Quarterback Jordan Edington threw an 81-yard touchdown pass to Brooks O’Shea on the first play of the fourth quarter to start the rally after the Rockets trailed 27-7 at the half. Four plays after a 15-yard punt, Brian Alsbrook scored on an 8-yard run with 9:09 left to take Catholic within, 27-21. Catholic took advantage of a 9-yard punt, and Edington threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Johnson with 3:30 remaining as the Rockets took a 28-27 lead. After an interception, Catholic added a touchdown on the first play on a 6-yard touchdown run by Alsbrook for a 35-27 with 2:31 left. A final interception sealed Catholic’s win. Van Buren (6-5) owned the first half and took a 27-7 lead. Van Buren took the opening kickoff of the game and failed to convert a fourth down. After Jaiden Henry intercepted a pass on Catholic’s second play, the Pointers scored on three straight possessions. Henry returned his interception 24 yards to Catholic’s 17. Four plays later, quarterback Gary Phillips ran seven yards for a touchdown. Chris Flores booted through the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 7:56 left in the first quarter. Van Buren held on downs, and Flores added a 30-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 1:46 left in the opening quarter. Van Buren’s defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense moved to Catholic’s 6 and settled for a 23-yard field goal by Flores to push Van Buren up, 13-0, with 9:03 left in the half. Van Buren failed to converted a fourth-and-inches, and Catholic struck quickly on a 17-yard touchdown run by Jason Stith with 4:38 left in the half. That was plenty of time for the Pointers to add a pair of scores. After Catholic scored, Van Buren went 67 yards in seven plays with Phillips zipping a 16-yard touchdown pass to Henry. Flores kicked Van Buren up, 20-7, with 2:06 left. Five plays later, Devin Swearingen recovered a fumble on a sack at Catholic’s 38 with 1:06 left in the half. Four plays later, Phillips dashed and darted 23 yards for a touchdown with 28 seconds left in the half. Flores set Van Buren’s lead at 27-7 at the break.

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CATHOLIC RALLIES IN 4TH TO STUN POINTERS

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Times Record | 11/16/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics