Elkins explodes past CAC: Arkansas high school 4A quarterfinal round game updates
After leading by two points at the conclusion of the first quarter, Elkins' offense kicked it into high gear and reeled off 35 unanswered to run away from Central Arkansas Christian 53-15 at Mustang Mountain on a chilly Black Friday evening.
The win advances Elkins to the Class 4A semifinals where they will host 4A-2 No. 1 seed Harding Academy.
The Elks (13-0) were powered by a five-touchdown performance from senior star running back Da'Shawn Chairs and they surpassed 50 points for the tenth time this season.
Elkins' defense had a huge night, as well, holding the Mustangs to by far their lowest point total of the season and came up with multiple fourth down stops.
While CAC (9-3) was hit with something it has not seen all season, there is plenty of positivity to take out of 2023. Not only did the Mustangs bounce back from back-to-back two-win seasons to winning a conference title this year, as well as a playoff game. There is plenty of optimism on Mustang Mountain for 2024 with nearly everyone coming back, including University of Arkansas commit Grayson Wilson at quarterback for his senior season.
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Elkins 53, Central Arkansas Christian 15 (FINAL)
FOURTH QUARTER
-- Elkins hits to 50-point mark for the tenth time this season following a short three-yard strike from Dean to James Townsend. (Elkins 52-15 | 2:13)
-- Mustangs are down big, but not out, as a 54-yard connection from Wilson to Jackson Hampton led to a five-yard score two plays later from Wilson to Tyler Blakely. Two-point conversion attempt failed. (Elkins 46-15 | 9:43)
THIRD QUARTER
-- On the second play of the second half, Chairs sprints 57 yards for his fifth touchdown of the evening to enforce the sportsmanship rule. (Elkins 46-9 | 11:29)
SECOND QUARTER
-- Another very long drive for the Elks, this one went 93 yards, and back-to-back 30+-yards gains by Chairs and Dean set up Chairs' fourth score of the first half. (Elkins 39-9 | :37)
-- Elks held Mustangs again on fourth down, but CAC's Jacob Henry intercepted Dean on the second play of ensuing drive and returned it to the Elkins 23, but the Elks' defense clamped down for the second consecutive series on fourth. That led to a nine-play, 97-yard drive and Chairs has the hat trick in the first half following his 31-yard touchdown run. (Elkins 32-9 | 2:00)
-- CAC went for it on fourth down from their own 30 and did not convert. Elkins takes advantage two plays later as Dizzy Dean hits Landon Martin for a 19-yard score. (Elkins 25-9 | 9:00)
-- Chairs finishes off a 12-play drive and finds the end zone for the second time on a six-yard scamper up the middle to extend the Elks' lead. (Elkins 18-9 | 10:23)
FIRST QUARTER
-- Grayson Wilson connects with Josiah Warrior-Benson, who broke multiple tackles and took it 57-yards for a Mustangs touchdown. Two-point conversation attempt was not good. (Elkins 11-9 | 2:33)
-- Elks put the first touchdown on the board following an eight-play, 67-yard drive that was capped by a one-yard run by Da'Shawn Chairs. They opted for two and Ja'Quae Walden ran it in for the conversion. (Elkins 11-3 | 3:58)
-- Elkins also put a long drive together spanning 12 plays, but settled for a field goal of their own from 27 yards. (TIED at 3 | 6:13)
-- Central Arkansas Christian went 70 yards all the way to the Elkins one-yard line, but a false start pushed them back to the six. They settled for a 23-yard field goal by Avery Brymer on fourth and goal. (CAC 3-0 | 10:00)
Photo by Tommy Land
--Kyle Sutherland
