Rector pulls off OT win against Spring Hill to claim Arkansas 8-man championship

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS — Drew Henderson was the man of the hour for Rector in the Arkansas 8-Man State Championship on Thursday.

Henderson ran 32 times for 140 yards, scored two touchdowns and had all three two-point conversions in a 22-16 overtime victory against Spring Hill (9-4) before 643 fans who, on a rainy night at War Memorial Stadium, sat through a one hour and five minute lightning delay before the game finally started at 8:05 p.m.

Henderson scored from 4 yards out on third down in overtime to give Rector (10-0) a 22-16 lead. His pass to Ashton Scott for the two-point conversion was incomplete.

Then, it was up to the Rector defense to preserve the victory. T.J. Tipton and Karson Hamilton were stopped for no gain on the first two plays.

On third down, Jaxon Smith’s pass to Blane Tuttle was incomplete and his pass into the right side of the end zone on fourth down was incomplete, allowing Rector, which lost to Izard County a year ago in the state championship, to celebrate.

“It’s awesome,” said Rector head coach Dave Hendrix. “Whether these kids won or lost, it’s still fine and I’m proud of them.”

Spring Hill head coach Greg Smith was proud of the way his team played and didn’t walk away with any regrets, despite jumping out to a 16-0 lead.

“It was a great football game, a great high school football game,” said Smith. “Both teams put their guts out there on that field (Thursday). Both teams fought hard and we came up on the short end for a state championship. They capitalized on our mistakes.”

Arkansas high school football scores: Live playoff updates, live streams - state finals 

Spring Hill needed two plays to get on the board first when Tipton, who rushed for 94 yards on 20 carries, scored from 47 yards out. Zane Milton added the two-point conversion to put the Bears up, 8-0.

After forcing Rector to punt, Henderson fumbled the snap and Tipton recovered and ran it back it 24 yards for a touchdown. Tipton added the two-point conversion and Spring Hill extended its lead to 16-0.

Spring Hill had a chance to increase that advantage even more when it marched on a 14-play drive from its 40 to the Rector 7, but Smith’s pass to Hamilton in the end zone was incomplete.

Rector got on the board with nine seconds left in the first when Henderson scored from a yard out, one play after a 44-yard pass from Scott to Chance Lopez. Henderson added the two-point conversion to make it 16-8.

Henderson appeared to have fumbled the ball on his touchdown, but officials ruled he broke the plane, making the touchdown good which was confirmed by instant-replay officials.

After Spring Hill punted to start the second half, Kaden Avery scored on a 44-yard run with 5:38 left in the third quarter and Henderson added the two-point conversion to tie the game, 16-all.

“Drew Henderson had a fantastic game,” said Hendrix. “Our other back, Kaden Avery, ran very well and our wing back, Carter Hill, doesn’t get a lot of credit, but does a great job blocking.

"Our offensive line is what we hang our hats on, and they did a great job. That’s what we’re all about.”

As a team, Rector finished with 220 yards rushing on 44 attempts, picking up 15 first downs. Avery had 95 yards on 11 carries.

Spring Hill got to the Rector 22, but Smith was sacked by Gabe Moseley with 2:16 left in the third quarter.

Rector got to the Spring Hill 16 in seven plays before Henderson fumbled and Alex Arriaga recovered for Spring Hill with 2:28 left.

Rector won despite fumbling the ball eight times and losing three. Spring Hill had three fumbles and lost one.

“We knew going in that ball security was going to be an issue," Hendrix said. "We started throwing it on the ground a couple times. We got behind early and never gave up.

"Spring Hill came out very strong and was well-coached and is a hard-nosed team. I give all the credit to them. It could have gone either way."

Smith refused to blame the weather for the fumbles and credited his team for handling the adverse weather conditions.

“We did a good job battling the issues,” said Smith. “We sat in the locker room for over an hour not knowing if we’re going to play.”

After losing last year to Izard County, Hendrix was proud of the way his team showed a lot of character in coming back and didn’t seem overwhelmed by the big stage of the state championship game.

Smith said there wasn’t much difference between both teams.

“It came down to two good football teams and somebody is going to end up on the short end of the stick," he said. "We give credit to the Lord. I told them I was proud of you, I love you and you glorify God in all you do.”

-- Jeff Halpern | @SBLiveAR