FOUNTAIN LAKE -- Fountain Lake's strong passing game proved key Friday night as the Cobras cruised to a 54-18 win over England at Allen Tillery Field on senior night.
With a 34-12 lead at the break, penalties plagued Fountain Lake early into the second half while a 1-yard run by Lions' quarterback Chandler Cheek in the late stages of the third quarter trimmed the gap for England with 24 seconds remaining to pull within 34-18 after a failed kick.
Cobras' quarterback Jack Wurz spotted Caleb Lacy on the outside for a 40-yard touchdown strike -- Lacy's third of the night. Wesley Campbell's kick was no good as the Cobras held a 40-18 lead.
With 9:46 to play, Wurz connected with senior Seth Hughes for a 29-yard passing touchdown. Campbell's kick was good as the Cobras stretched the gap out to 47-18.
Fountain Lake's defensive core came up big behind multiple defenders with Asa Westerman picking off the the team's fourth interception of the game. Two minutes later, Wurz found Owen Barthel on a quick 8-yard score, invoking the Arkansas Activities Association's sportsmanship rule with 7:14 remaining in the game after Campbell's kick set the final.
Both teams traded touchdowns early in the opening period with Caleb Lacy breaking free on two carries for 96 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown strike early in the first quarter.
Lacy's second touchdown came after England ran the ball in for 69 yards and its first score, and a 23-yard interception return by the Lions for a touchdown cut the deficit to 14-12 after the 2-point conversion was denied.
Fountain Lake's Kadin Hilton wreaked havoc early into the second quarter as the sophomore intercepted Cheek's pass attempt on the opening play of the period, but England battled back, stripping the ball with 10:08 left, causing a fumble before Fountain Lake junior Nick Soileau sacked the Lions' QB for a 9-yard loss.
The hosts responded quickly behind an 87-yard aerial touchdown from Wurz to Steven DeArmon with 8:16 to play, and Campbell kicked the PAT for a 21-12 Fountain Lake lead.
Four minutes later, Wurz found Brayden Branstetter for a 40-yard passing score at the 4:08 mark before Campbell's point-after attempt was denied to make it 27-12.
DeArmon fired things up with a 35-yard pick-6 with 1:53 left in the first half, and with 18 seconds left on the clock and the Lions on the 42, Wurz picked off England's pass at the 10 as the Cobras regained possession and let the clock run out.