Trumann tops Chicks in chippy game

Trumann put the game out of reach late in a chippy second half and ended Blytheville’s two-game winning streak by topping the host Chickasaws 43-27 at Haley Field, Friday night.

Blytheville’s best defender and one of its key offensive players, Tru Walker, was ejected early in the third quarter, and later in the half livid Blytheville quarterback O’marrion Russell alleged a Trumann player used a racial slur during a play.

Blytheville head coach Greg Ruffin called for the player’s ejection, though he remained in the game.

Trumann head coach Randy Phillips said coaches were told about the allegation, but the officials could not give the Wildcat bench the player’s number. Phillips said he will look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Walker was ejected on the first series of the second half, though the Chicks would score just three plays later.

Blytheville running back Tim Brown, who rushed for a game-high 132 yards on 15 carries, broke a 14-yard touchdown run with 8:19 left in the third quarter. Tyler Landry booted the PAT to tie the game 14-14.

Landry then pinned the Wildcats deep on the kickoff as Trumann started at its own 7. After making a first down, the Wildcats would punt, though Blytheville’s Tyquon Love raced up the sideline on the long return to set up the Chicks at the THS 20.

Three plays later, Russell was surrounded by Wildcat defenders in the backfield, but escaped, weaving through traffic and scoring on a spectacular seven-yard run with 2:21 left in the third quarter. Landry’s PAT gave Blytheville a 21-14 lead.

Trumann answered on the ensuing possession.

Quarterback Murphy Williams opened the drive with a 20-yard pass play, and running back Eli Evett capped the series with one of his four touchdowns to go along with 129 rushing yards. Evett’s 14-yard run and then his two-point conversion run put Trumann on top 22-21 with 6 seconds left in the quarter.

Blytheville fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Trumann took advantage, going 30 yards in three plays, including Evett’s 20-yard touchdown run up the middle with 10:15 left in the game. The two-point try failed, leaving it 28-21 Trumann.

Blytheville fumbled again on its next drive with 7:50 to play, after moving from its 33 to the Trumann 30.

The Wildcats took advantage again, as Rian King scored on an 11-yard run with 3:53 to go. Jake Osment found King for the two-point conversion and a 36-21 lead. Blytheville wasn’t done, however, as on the first snap of the next series Russell ran left, then cut back right for a 66-yard touchdown with 3:34 showing. The PAT was no good, keeping it a two-possession game, 36-27.

Trumann set the final margin on a nine-yard touchdown run from King with 26 seconds to play.

The host Chicks got off to a good start.

Blytheville forced a three-and-out to open the game, and then the Chicks drove 67 yards in six plays to get on the board first. Russell’s 16-yard scamper — the first of his three touchdowns — and Landry’s PAT gave the Chicks an early 7-0 lead.

Evett answered with an eight-yard touchdown run with 2:56 left in the opening quarter.

Efrain Garcia drilled the extra point to tie the game 7-7.

Late in the second quarter, Trumann drove to the Blytheville 5, but fumbled into the end zone with 3:11 showing.

However, Blytheville’s second straight interception ended the drive and gave Trumann the ball inside the red zone at the BHS 16. Evett ran it twice, including bulling through the middle with 57 seconds left in the half. Garcia’s PAT gave Trumann a 14-7 lead.

Blytheville finished with 35 rushes for 205 yards, with Brown and Russell leading the way with 132 and 62, respectively. The Chicks had 223 total yards.

Evett led Trumann’s rushing attack with 16 carries for 129 yards and the four touchdowns. Trumann ran the ball 46 times for 309 yards. The Wildcats finished with 365 total yards.

Blytheville (2-6, 2-3 4A-3) will entertain Pocahontas,while Trumann will host Rivercrest Friday night.