By CHAD MATCHETT
Special to The Leader
Turnovers and big plays were the downfall of the Lonoke Jackrabbits in a 22-8 loss to the Pulaski Oak Grove Hornets in a scrimmage at Lonoke on Monday night.
Lonoke’s first-team offensive possessions ended in four turnovers, two punts and a touchdown through three quarters. Junior-varsity squads for both teams played the fourth quarter.
“You’re not going to beatanyone with that many turnovers,” Lonoke coach Doug Bost said. “We moved the ball a little bit, but gave it up too much. We can’t do that next week.”
Lonoke opens the season against Star City at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday.
Oak Grove quarterback Trooper Tolbert gave the ’Rabbits fits with his arm and his legs. Tolbert rushed for over 115 yards and a touchdown and he also completed a 16-yard touchdown pass during the first half.
Tolbert didn’t play in the second half.
“When you let speed get outside, it’s going to kill you on defense,” Bost said. “We have a lot of sophomores on the outside and they lost containment. Sometimes it was the end, sometimes the linebacker and sometimes the cornerbacks. It happened too often.”
Lonoke found itself down 22-0 early in the second quarter before breaking through on offense. It was an interception by D.J. Burton that gave the Jackrabbits the ball for their scoring possession.
The ’Rabbits were in their own territory and facing third and 12 when quarterback Logan DeWhitt found an open Darius Scott over the middle. Scott spun off several tacklers before streaking 63 yards to the end zone.
DeWhitt started out in a groove, completing seven of his first eight passes. He completed just two of his next 10, but one of those was the long touchdown to Scott.
“That’s a good football team over there and Tolbert is a dangerous player,” Bost said. “We’ve got a week to get better and get ready for our first game. We’ll be ok if we can stop giving up those big plays and hold on to the ball.”
