White Hall picked an ideal time to earn its first victory of the season Friday.
The Bulldogs made important plays in the clutch against visiting Beebe en route to a 26-18 victory.
White Hall, now 1-4 overall and 1-1 in 5A-Central, received a game-changing boost early in the fourth period — thanks to its defense.
At this juncture of the game, Beebe trailed 14-10. But the Badgers were driving, advancing to the White Hall 10-yard line. However, they’d get no closer — due to Bulldog defensive back De’Marius Lattimore, who made an outstanding play.
Beebe quarterback Masin Harbin stepped back and released a pass for his receiver in the middle of the field. However, Lattimore read the play and quickly reacted to the slant route. He jumped in front of the Beebe receiver to intercept the pass.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Lattimore then went into a full sprint down the field for a 98-yard pick-6. Zane Davis’ point after was blocked. However, with 11:46 remaining in the game, White Hall led Beebe 20-10.
With 6:52 left to play, White Hall running back Kylon Davis ran 2 yards for a touchdown. After the failed two-point attempt, the Bulldogs led 26-10.
Now facing a significant fourth-quarter deficit, the Badgers quickly went down the field and got into the end zone when running back Madden Harbin scored on a 9-yard touchdown run. Beebe then converted the two-point attempt when Steven Sullivan caught the pass.
The score was 26-18 and Beebe (3-2, 1-1) attempted an on-side kick, but White Hall recovered the ball at the 49. However, the Badgers forced White Hall into a 3-and-out.
Beebe regained possession of the ball at its own 27 with 3:05 remaining in the fourth. However, White Hall did not allow a game-tying drive as its defense stood tall. The Badgers failed to cross midfield before it turned the ball over on downs.
The Bulldogs then ran the clock out to seal the victory.
From the start, White Hall competed with a sense of urgency.
The Bulldogs began the game aggressively as they attempted an on-side kick. White Hall recovered the ball at its own 49.
The Bulldogs capitalized on their opportunity when Davis found the end zone on a 6-yard carry. The point after was blocked as the Bulldogs led this conference game 6-0 with 8:53 left in the first quarter.
However, with its first possession of the game the Badgers responded by going on a long drive that was capped off by a Masin Harbin touchdown run of 6 yards. The successful kick gave Beebe a 7-6 lead with 6:37 left in the first.
Later in the quarter, Badger defensive back Brenton Brasfield intercepted a pass by White Hall quarterback Wyatt Golden and returned it to the Bulldogs’ 37.
The White Hall turnover paved the way for Beebe to ultimately increase its lead when Andy Rodriguez easily made a 40-yard kick with 1:19 remaining in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, both offenses became somewhat stagnant.
The Bulldog defense subdued White Hall’s best drive of the second when Davion Roshell intercepted a pass by Masin Harbin with 29 seconds left until the intermission. Deep in its own territory, White Hall kneeled down as time expired.
At the half, the Bulldogs trailed 10-6.
White Hall received the opening possession of the second half to regain the lead. The Bulldogs needed only five plays to score when Davis ran 20 yards for a touchdown.
On the play, Davis took advantage of a great block by his tight end to break into the open field. Once Davis made his way to the sideline, he sprinted to the end zone for the score.
White Hall then converted a two-point conversion when Jacoby Edwards caught a pass from Golden. With 9:44 left in the third, White Hall led 14-10.
On the first play of the fourth, the Bulldogs used a big turnover resulting in a TD, to go up by two scores.
Beebe would score once in the latter stages of this game, but the Bulldogs would not allow their visitors to earn a come-from-behind win.