ROSBORO -- Centerpoint put up an impressive aerial performance while limiting Camden Harmony Grove to take a 47-22 win at Diamond Bank Stadium and advance to the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs at Glen Rose.
With a 33-6 halftime lead, the Knights (8-3) took advantage of a holding penalty against the Hornets (5-4) on their first drive of the second half to move to midfield, and Centerpoint junior quarterback Josh Lawson connected with classmate Kaden Owens on a 34-yard rocket. The Hornets, who struggled with penalties all night, gave up additional yards on a facemask penalty, setting up a 5-yard touchdown rush from Knights senior Louis Lozano for a 41-6 lead after junior Dathan Vaught took the ball in on the conversion play.
Camden Harmony Grove quickly answered on the ensuing drive as senior receiver Jeremie Edwards returned the kickoff 80 yards for the score, and senior running back Mecca Arnold tacked on the extra 2 points.
Trailing by 27 going into the final 12 minutes of the game, freshman quarterback Caleb Johnson found Titus Lockhart for a 50-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-7 play with Edwards running the ball in for the extra points.
The Knights responded with Lozano running the ball in from the 5 after burning nearly eight minutes off the clock on the drive.
"We just played well coming out," said Knights head coach Cary Rogers. "I mean, we jumped on them early, and we gave up a score, I think, on their second possession, but other than that, it was kind of all in phases. ... I say that we didn't kick the ball well, but the offense and defense came rolling from the start. The line protection was great, the quarterback was on-target and we were just able to move the ball."
Lawson was 17-for-17 passing on the night for 194 yards while adding 24 yards on the ground.
"Give (Camden Harmony Grove) some credit," Rogers said. "I mean, they're a good football team. I saw them on film against Piggott, and they came back from two 16-point deficits. ... Our kids just kept the pressure on them, but the kids have been focused all week. You know, we've been out of school all week, but the kids have had good practices, and they just came out focused from the start, and they were ready to roll."
Turnovers played a significant part in the game.
"I think the turnovers played a part, especially because they scored right after those," said Harmony Grove head coach Ernie Horstkamp. "You know, we played a little better in the second half. If we could have not turned the football over, maybe we could have made a little bit of a difference in the game. But that definitely played a part, especially when they scored so quick after them."
Rogers agreed.
"The defense stepped up big," he said. "You know, we had some big plays from our line, we had some sacks and turnovers. We (caused) several turnovers and that was huge. To win the turnover margin as big as we did, you've got a really good chance to win a game."
Centerpoint got on the board quickly with Lawson running the ball in from the 12 just 5:29 into the game. Junior kicker Hayden Rogers tacked on the extra point field goal attempt for an early 7-0 lead.
With the Knights up 14-0, Johnson ran the ball in from the 13 with 17 seconds left in the opening quarter, but a failed conversion play left the Hornets in dire straights as Centerpoint scored three more touchdowns before the break.
"I think Centerpoint's got a heck of a football team," Horstkamp said. "I think it showed. You know, they controlled us. The first half they came out and played great. I would say they were as physical as we thought they were. You know, they're faster than they look on film; Their speed is underrated, and throwing the football they did a great job. I just thought they played well. I tip my hat to them."
Houston Way had 106 yards rushing on 22 carries while C.J. Fox caught for 91 yards and Owens had 89 receiving yards. Senior Blake Sorrells led the defensive effort with six tackles including one sack and a fumble recovery. Lozano added three tackles and one sack.
For Harmony Grove, Johnson was 8 for 20 in passing for 97 yards and 55 yards rushing. Lockhart had 50 yards receiving while Edwards had four tackles. Arnold led the tackling effort with six total tackles followed by seniors Brandon Harris and Houston Bryant each with five.
The Knights will travel to Hot Spring County to face Glen Rose (10-2) Friday night at 7 p.m.
1Q2Q3Q4Q--F
Centerpoint141986--47
Camden Harmony Grove6088--22
First quarter
CPT -- Josh Lawson 12 run (Hayden Rogers kick), 6:31.
CPT -- Dillon Fox 5 pass from Lawson (Rogers kick), 3:40.
CHG -- Caleb Johnson 13 run (conversion fail), 0:17.
Second quarter
CPT -- Caden Owens 21 pass from Lawson (Rogers kick), 7:36.
CPT -- C.J. Fox 31 pass from Lawson (kick fail), 7:18.
CPT -- Houston Way 1 run (kick fail), 0:20.
Third quarter
CPT -- Louis Lozano 3 run (Dathan Vaught conversion), 7:08.
CHG -- Jeremie Edwards 80 run (Mecca Arnold conversion), 6:52.
Fourth quarter
CHG -- Titus Lockhart 50 pass from Johnson (Edwards conversion), 10:40.
CPT -- Lozano 5 run (kick fail), 2:46.