Panthers' lead slips away

SSHS falls to 0-3 with loss at Van Buren

George "Clay" Mitchell/Special to Siloam Sunday Van Buren’s Ranze McDonnor tries to bring down Siloam Springs’ Kevin Canales during the first quarter at Citizens Bank Stadium at Blakemore Field on Friday.
George "Clay" Mitchell/Special to Siloam Sunday Van Buren’s Ranze McDonnor tries to bring down Siloam Springs’ Kevin Canales during the first quarter at Citizens Bank Stadium at Blakemore Field on Friday.

VAN BUREN -- Siloam Springs looked like it had Friday's game against Van Buren well under control when it pulled ahead 18-10 with 10 minutes, 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

But for the second straight week, the Panthers were unable to finish off a second-half lead.

Van Buren rallied with two fourth quarter touchdowns and the Pointers capped their comeback with an interception to seal a 25-18 rain-delayed victory at Blakemore Field.

The game didn't start until nearly 9 p.m. because of thunderstorms in the River Valley.

"Yeah it was a weird night to wait that long to play," said Van Buren coach Greg Werner. "We felt like we played about as bad as we could play in the first half, but we stayed in the game and it didn't get away from us. Finally in the fourth quarter, we made a few plays when we had to. We'll take a win. We needed it."

Both teams came into the game 0-2 and looking for their first win. Siloam Springs led Harrison 19-9 at halftime last week but was outscored 30-0 in the second half.

The Panthers were plenty competitive in the final two quarters this time around, but couldn't make the plays to finish off the game.

"We competed, but now we've got to find a way to win the game," said Siloam Springs head coach Bryan Ross. "They found a way and we didn't. That's the thing that hurts is putting yourselves in position and you look up and they score the last 15 points and that's it. It's like I told the kids in there, you have to find a way. You find a way and we just haven't found a way the last two weeks."

With the game tied at 10 at halftime, both teams failed to score in the third quarter, but the Panthers were in business at the end of the third when quarterback Luke Lampton ran for 16 yards into Van Buren territory. Kevin Canales followed with a 39-yard run down to the 1-yard line and Lampton ran in the final yard on the next play for a 16-10 lead. The Panthers then lined up for an extra point but backup quarterback and place holder Landon Ellis threw to senior Chance Junkermann for a two-point conversion and an 18-10 lead.

Down eight, Van Buren, which went three-and-out on all three of its third quarter possessions, suddenly got its triple option offense in gear.

Walter Green ran for 18 yards and the Pointers got a pair of nine-yard runs from quarterback Caleb Salisbury and Randal Canon to move the ball to the 32. Green then broke a 32-yard touchdown run and ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game with 9:21 left in the fourth.

The Pointers held on defense twice and got the ball back at the 42-yard line with time ticking away in the fourth.

A 31-yard run from Salisbury moved the ball to the Panthers' 21-yard line, and three players later Green scored again from 10 yards out as the Pointers took a 25-18 lead with 1:32 left.

Miles Malone intercepted Lampton on the next possession and the Pointers were able to run out the clock on their first victory.

"We stepped it up and made some plays," Werner said. "Proud of our kids. They deserve a win like that. We're happy and looking forward to getting better next week."

Green finished with 122 rushing yards on 11 carries as the Pointers finished with 283 yards on the ground on 53 carries. Van Buren had 321 yards of total offense.

Siloam Springs was held to 238 yards of total offense. The Panthers only had 72 yards in the first half as they took advantage of a pair of turnovers to score their 10 points.

Canales rushed for 57 yards on 12 carries, while Lampton had 10 carries for 46 yards. He completed five of his first six passes for 52 yards but finished 11 of 28 for 133 yards with two interceptions.

Van Buren's Josh Aden fumbled on the first offensive play of the game and Zach Ramsey recovered for Siloam Springs at the 40-yard line.

Canales had a 17-yard run and Lampton hit Montana Burke for 19 yards to set up an eight-yard touchdown pass to Chase Chandler for an early 7-0 lead.

Van Buren responded with a field goal to pull within 7-3, but the Panthers went up 10-3 after a botched Van Buren punt attempt gave the Panthers with first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. Siloam Springs wound up having to settle for a 23-yard field goal on the drive and a 10-3 lead.

"We came out and looked better than they did, so I don't think the delay meant anything," Ross said. "I think the fourth quarter is what meant everything. They won the fourth quarter and we didn't."

The Pointers tied it 10-10 with 1:32 before half on a seven-yard run by Salisbury.

Siloam Springs returns to action on Friday for its homecoming game against Sheridan to open 6A-West Conference play.

Sports on 09/18/2016