GOBLINS STUN MAUMELLE, PLAYOFF BOUND

Noah Ditmanson to Daniel McCormick. That combination pushed the Harrison Goblins to a 28-21 victory over Maumelle on Senior Night and guaranteed the team a spot in the Class 5A State Playoffs. Harrison trailed, 21-20, with 2:14 to play in the game when the Goblins took over at their own 42-yard line following a Maumelle punt. Ditmanson picked up a first down at the Maumelle 34-yard line with his legs, and two plays later he would use his arm to win the game. The junior quarterback scrambled on 2nd-and-10 before heaving a pass to the corner of the endzone where McCormick went up and brought the ball down for the go-ahead score with a minute remaining. Taner Edwards then found Canyon Willard for a 3-yard pass to convert the 2-point try to make it 28-21. Maumelle got one last possession to try and tie the ballgame. The Goblin defense forced its fifth turnover of the ball game when Caleb Huskey made a diving interception to seal the Goblin victory. Harrison found the endzone first to grab a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Maumelle took possession of the opening kickoff, but the Goblin defense put points on the board. Harrison's Eli Howell intercepted a swing pass to the Maumelle tailback and took the ball 48 yards to the endzone. Micah Ford hit the extra point for Harrison and the Goblins had a 7-0 lead with 10:07 to play in the first quarter. The Goblin lead would remain into the second quarter, but Maumelle would even things up. The Hornets picked up a rushing touchdown with 11:27 to play in the first half to bring the score to 7-7. After a Goblin punt, Maumelle would cap a 5 minute drive with its second rushing touchdown of the quarter for a 14-7 lead at the half. The Goblins came storming out of the gate to start the second half with two quick scores. Ditmanson hooked up with McCormick on a 43-yard pass down to the 3-yard line before Josh Williams carried the ball in on the next play. Micah Ford’s extra point made it a 14-14 ballgame. Following a Maumelle punt, Edwards connected with Canyon Willard on a wide-receiver screen pass that went for 40 yards to the Maumelle 17. Williams would cap the drive with a 1-yard score to put Harrison up, 20-14, with 9:16 to play. The Harrison lead didn’t last long as Maumelle broke off a long touchdown run to hold a 21-20 lead with 7:53 to play in the third quarter. Harrison would punt and later turn the ball over on a fumble before the third quarter would come to an end. Maumelle held the ball on the Goblin 1-yard line as the fourth quarter began. The Goblin defense stood tall, keeping the Hornets out of the endzone and taking the ball over on downs. Harrison’s defense would force a turnover as Austin Tate forced a fumble which was recovered by the Goblins with 7:21 to play. However, the Goblins turned the ball over on downs at the Maumelle 27-yard line with just 3:43 remaining on the clock. The Goblin defense stepped up again, forcing a Maumelle punt with just 1:29 coming off the clock. Ditmanson and McCormick took care of the rest. Harrison improves to 7-2 overall on the year with a 4-2 mark in 5A-West play. The Goblins will be on the road next Friday at Farmington to wrap up the regular season.

GOBLINS STUN MAUMELLE, PLAYOFF BOUND

CRAIG ENLOE

Harrison Daily | 10/28/2016

PHOTO CREDIT: Harrison Athletics