Walnut Ridge spoils Manila Homecoming 47-14

Walnut Ridge used a powerful rushing attack, rolling up 483 yards on the ground as the Bobcats rolled over Manila 47-14 in 3A-3 conference action Friday night at Lion Field.

Walnut Ridge (7-2, 4-2) got a four-touchdown performance from Cade Burris, three coming on rushes and the fourth from a kickoff return for a score. Burris finished the night with 25 carries for 215 yards. He had ample support from teammates Charles Mabry and Cole Manning. Mabry rushed seven times for 89 yards and a score while Manning added 12 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Mabry got the Bobcats on the board at the 7:18 mark of the opening quarter when he bolted 52 yards into the end zone. The point after gave Walnut Ridge a 7-0 lead.

Abraham Lopez (1) prepares to boot through the first of his two extra points during Friday night's senior high matchup with Walnut Ridge.  Layne Sims (3) is the holder.

The Lions answered on their ensuing possession. Layne Sims picked up three yards, followed by a seven- yard Ethan Navarro run. Sims then hooked up with Michael Parker on a 35-yard pass play deep in Bobcat territory. Consecutive 15-yard penalties pushed the Lions all the way back to their 45, but Sims hit a streaking Navarro for a 55-yard touchdown strike. Abraham Lopez kicked through the extra point and the game was tied 7-7 at the 4:32 mark of the first period.

Manning’s five-yard touchdown scamper with 6:50 left in the second quarter put the Bobcats back on top 14-7. Burris got his first score of the night when he rambled into the end zone from six yards out. Sims blocked the extra point attempt as Walnut Ridge took a 20-7 lead into the dressing room at intermission.

The Bobcats got on the board midway through the third period on a four-yard touchdown run by Burris to push the lead to 27-7. Manila came right back when Brett Carter bulled his way into the end zone from seven yards out, slicing the Bobcat advantage to 27-14 late in the third quarter.

Lion senior Grant Salzer (23) takes down Walnut Ridge running back Charles Mabry in high school football action Friday night at Manila.

The Lion momentum was quickly squelched when Burris took the ensuing kickoff and raced 69 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 33-14 lead. Burris and Manning scored on runs of 15 and 11 yards in the fourth quarter to set the final score.

Manila (3-6, 1-5) closes out the season Friday night by hosting Harrisburg. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.