–BLYTHEVILLE CHICKS – Loss gives first-year head coach optimism

WEST MEMPHIS – Obviously the outcome wasn’t what the Blytheville Chickasaws wanted. However, there were moments in the 29-22 loss to 6A West Memphis which gave first-year head coach Gerrett Howard some optimism for the season to come.

“It was a good evaluation to see who can play, see who can do what,” Howard said. “We’ll have some compliments to give out, but some of these guys we’re gonna have some tough talks with.”

The Chicks were whistled for 15 penalties – nine in the first quarter - which repeatedly put the visiting team behind the chains.

Jarius Stewart (13) and teammate Tim Brown wrap up Jeremiah McGruder before dragging him to the ground.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” agreed Howard, “but remember all the things you saw here that were bad or negative, we can go back to the drawing board and coach them up and make the improvements.”

This slowed Blytheville’s run game as they were put in obvious passing downs.

And quarterback Jontavious Johnson found himself in scramble mode most of the game.

Derick King hauls in a Jontavious Johnson offering completing a 62-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

After two penalty-riddled Chick possessions in which BHS surrendered a safety, West Memphis scored on a 13-play, 65-yard drive mixing the run and pass.

Quarterback Keland Mills reached the end zone on a 2-yard run with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter. The point-after was missed but the host team led, 8-0.

After a Blytheville three-and-out, the Blue Devils scored again. This time Mills did it through the air as he found a wide open Jaylon Merritt to complete a 14-yard touchdown pass.

Courtney Rogers (24) rips away at Jeremiah McGruder’s jersey, while Tim Brown (2) wrangles the West Memphis running back.

Joseph Perez added the extra point for the 15-0 West Memphis lead at the 11:18 mark of the second period.

Howard recognized that some members of his defense were a step behind the Blue Devils offense.

“We have do some guys that are stepping up,” he replied when asked to evaluate the defensive effort. “It’s a matter of getting all 11 on the same page. Can’t have six guys going full speed, knowing their as-signments and have one or two guys who aren’t.

“We have to get more guys in the know,” Howard added, “knowing what to do, when to do it and understanding the game situation.”

Blytheville’s offense had an answer though when Johnson and Travion Anderson hooked up on a 43-yard pass play. That set the visitors up with a first down at the Blue Devil 27-yard line.

It was one of three 40-plus yard completions for the dynamic Johnson.

The Blue Devils were whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and that pushed the ball to within 12 yards of the end zone.

Johnson favored his legs over his arm on the next play, scrambling down the right side and tiptoeing in the end zone.

The quarterback then connected with Tyrin Walker on the two-point try.

For all its futility on its first three possessions, Blytheville trailed only by a touchdown at 15-8.

But as quick as the Chicks had stolen the momentum, West Memphis took it back.

A nine-play, 80-yard drive culminated with a Mills to Dylan Greer five-yard touchdown. Perez was true on the point-after as the Blue Devils pushed the lead to 13 at 21-8.

The teams traded possessions before Blytheville took possession with :25 left in the half.

Johnson just needed 13 of those 25 seconds to pull the Chicks within seven.

After offsetting penalties, Johnson took the snap and scrambled left. Seeing Derick King racing across the field opposite him, Johnson threw the ball across his body. He dropped the ball right into King’s arms. The junior receiver never broke stride and darted to the end zone. That play covered 62 yards.

“(Johnson) is a talent,” Howard said of his quarterback. “He made some really, really good throws. Imagine what he could do if we could buy him just a little more time.”

The score closed the gap to 21-14 as both teams headed to the locker room.

“When we went in at half, I told them now we have a running clock; clock’s against us,” said Howard of his brief halftime speech. “Now we’re gonna find out what you’re made of. You gonna fight or you gonna lay down?”

The Chicks still had a punch to throw and it came from whom else but Johnson.

Again, the quarterback tossed a dime to Walker who battled his defender before snatching the ball. Walker broke free and darted the balance of the 72 yards to the end zone.

That pulled BHS within one with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

“We have some athletes, some guys we definitely want to get the ball to,” Howard said of his skill players. “We just gotta be able to move the ball consistently.”

The coach then called Ingram Battles number on the two-point conversion and he powered the ball in from three yards out.

Up 22-21, Blytheville had the Blue Devils on the ropes.

However, West Memphis took the ensuing possession and marched 75 yards to pay dirt.

Mills and Demetrius Turner played pass and catch for a 20-yard touchdown with 8:58 left in the game.

Jeremiah McGruder followed with a two-point run to set the final.

The Chicks managed to move 25 yards to midfield before failing on a 4th-and-13 play.

The host team was able to run out the clock to end the game.

“We gotta long way to go, but I’m pleased with the way they fought being down at the half, then coming out and taking the lead,” Howard said.

Johnson finished the game with 194 passing yards completing 8-of-15 throws. He also was the Chicks leading rusher with 22 yards.

All in all, the Chicks finished with 201 total yards.

Walker caught four passes for 85 yards.

West Memphis accumulated 302 yards – 143 rushing and 159 passing.

Blytheville opens its season Friday at Mills in Little Rock.