It was a back and forth game on the Hillside with four lead changes and two ties throughout the game. The game was also very high scoring with both teams finding the end zone eight times.
We saw some monster games on the offensive side of the ball from QB Tyler Hampton, WR Ryan Parham, and RB Isaiah Howell.
Tyler Hampton went 21/37 for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. On the ground he had 27 carries for 136 net yards and 4 touchdowns.
Ryan Parham had 9 receptions for 158 yards and 1 touchdown.
Isaiah Howell had 15 carries for a 129 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground. In the receiving game he also had 2 receptions for 49 yards and 1 touchdown.
It wasn’t all in the offense though, as midway through the third quarter Maumelle was marching down the field getting ready to score to take a late lead that would’ve put the Bears in position to have to claw from behind, Marcus Heard intercepted a pass in the end zone which then lead to a Bears touchdown on the other end.
Late in the game the Bears were up 49-48 with the ball and Ryan Parham caught a pass from Tyler Hampton at the 40 yard line, and with the help from multiple teammates running ahead to block for him he took it all the way into the end zone to extend the Bears lead to 55-48.
At the end of the game it all came down to one play. Maumelle scored a touchdown to make the score 55-54 and they decided to go for a 2-point conversion attempt where if they converted they would win the game. The Bears managed to get the stop on the goal line but the play did rise some controversy and confusion.
The Banner staff spoke to Senior Malachi Summons, who stated that Gaven Rollins and Preston Strong made the stop before the Maumelle player reached the goal line and he was down by contact, and that Jaiden Noble punched the ball out forcing a fumble after the runner was ruled down, resulting the 2-point conversion no good.
This was a huge win on the Hillside snapping a two year losing streak for the Bears.
The Bears head to Vilonia to take on the Eagles this Friday for the second game of the year hoping to continue the momentum and take a 2-0 start to the year.
