No. 5 Cabot stifles No. 2 Conway's hot offense in key 7A-Central battle

By Jeff Halpern | Photos by Tommy Land 

CABOT — Earlier in the week, Cabot head coach Scott Reed said his team would have to find a way to dictate tempo and not let the Conway Wampus Cats march the ball up and down the field at a quick pace. 

Friday night, his team did exactly what he wanted them to do in a 35-20 victory over No. 2-ranked Conway at Panther Stadium.

The fifth-ranked Panthers (5-1, 3-0 7A-Central) held the ball for 63 plays, including 48 on the ground where they had 245 yards rushing, picked up 23 firsts downs and didn’t turn the ball over. They held Conway to 69 yards rushing, harassed Conway quarterback Donovyn Omolo into a 20-38 passing game for 135 yards with 2 interceptions. Cabot also recovered two fumbles, one of which sealed the game at the 5:27 mark of the fourth quarter when Evion Jimmerson scored from six yards out.

“This is huge for our program,” said Reed. “Our kids played really well tonight. The thing is we got the game at our pace. That score is the way we needed the game to. We were outstanding at running the ball and playing great defense.” 

Two years ago, Conway won 52-49 and a year ago the Wampus Cats won 57-21, extending their winning streak over Cabot to six games. Friday night was a different story.

“We are playing better defensively than any time since I’ve been here,” said Reed. “That is one thing I felt gave us a chance to move up. A year ago, we had a hard time in space and people could throw the ball and really run. This group is playing very well.”

Abe Owen completed 9-of-15 passes for 65 yards and 1 touchdown to Gavin Reardon and rushed for 92 yards on 21 carries and 3 touchdowns. Jimmerson, despite missing most of the second half after getting hit in the back, rushed for 97 yards on 15 carries.

Conway head coach Keith Fimple, who said earlier in the week that his team’s experience in big games, would not allow them to become overwhelmed, saw his team give a very uncharacteristic performance.

“We did a lot of things tonight that we don’t normally do,” said Fimple. “We had a lot of penalties (12 for 123 yards including five penalties for either personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct). They beat us in every phase, offense, defense and special teams and we turned the ball over four times which hurt us.

“It never seemed like we got into a rhythm and felt very comfortable. Hats off to Scott Reed and Cabot.”

Conway’s first two possessions told the story of the game. On the Wampus Cats’ second play of the game, Omolo was intercepted by Gavin Vest, who returned the ball 16 yard to the Conway 29. However, two false-start penalties pushed Cabot back to the Conway 31 and the Panthers were forced to punt.

Seven plays later, Omolo was intercepted by Jadyn Whaley at the Cabot 47. This time, the Panthers took advantage with Owen scoring from five yards out at the 3:41 mark of the first quarter. Kade Martin’s extra point was good and Cabot led 7-0.

After a Conway punt, the Panthers needed four plays to get into the end zone when Owen scored five yards out at the 1:41 mark. Martin’s kick was good and Cabot was up 14-0.

Conway finally got on the board at the 11:16 mark of the second quarter when Omolo threw 10 yards to Rome Fields on fourth down. Adrian Mejia’s kick was good and the Wampus Cats were down 14-7.

After a Cabot punt, Conway moved to the Cabot 30 yards in 11 plays. Facing fourth and eight, Omolo’s pass to Cris O’Neal was broken up by Andrew Rohauer at the 7:25 mark.

Cabot turned around and kept the ball on the ground for nine plays, ending with Owen scoring from a yard out at the 3:01 mark. Martin’s kick was good, and it was 21-7.

Conway marched 57 yards in 8 plays with Omolo sneaking in from a yard out at the 1:26 mark. Mejia’s kick was blocked, leaving the score at 21-13.

After both teams started the second half with punts, Cabot kept the ball for 10 plays with Owen handling the ball on six plays, the last one being a 11-yard touchdown pass to Reardon when he started to his right and threw back to his left at the 6:05 mark of the third quarter. Martin’s kick was good and Cabot led 28-13.

“Abe is a winner,” said Reed. “He’s a great leader and great competitor. He doesn’t force the ball. When he get the opportunity, he’ll stick in in there on the ground.”

Conway had its only big play of the night one play later when Omolo found O’Neal down the seam for an 84-yard touchdown at the 5:31 mark. Mejia’s kick was good and it was 28-20.

Two plays after Omolo sneaked his way for a first down on fourth and one from its 11 with 7:15 left in the game, he fumbled, and Cabot recovered at the Conway 18. After two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties moved the ball to the Cabot 4, Jimmerson scored from six yards out with 5:27 left to set the final margin after Martin’s extra point.

Cabot had one last shot, but Carr fumbled on the Cabot 19 with 4:24 left and the Panthers, aided by two Conway penalties, ran out the clock.

“We have a lot left to do,” said Reed. “We’re going to enjoy this tonight. Coach Fimple has an heck of a team. Tonight was our night.”

Fimple said it is important for his team to get ready for Fort Smith Northside next week, adding that there is no time in the 7A-Central to sulk after a defeat.