By GRAHAM POWELL
Special to The Leader
For the second straight week, the Cabot Panthers fought to the end but fell short Friday night to Bryant, extending the team’s losing streak to seven games.
Bryant’s senior kicker Jace Denker kicked a 31-yard field goal with 0:06 left in the game to give the Hornets a 31-28 lead that set the final margin. The Panthers tried to respond with a hook-and-ladder play to senior running back Weston Conard, but Bryant’s prevent defense stopped him after a gain of 15 yards.
“This is better than the first half of the season,” said Cabot Head Coach Mike Malham, “but Bryant’s got some talent. You can see in open spaces how good they are.”
Like last week against Little Rock Central, Cabot (1-7, 0-5) got on the board early, scoring on its first drive with a 23-yard run from fullback Zach Launius. Jesus Marquez kicked the extra point to give the Panthers and early 7-0 lead.
Bryant (7-1, 5-0) answered its next possession with a 7-play drive ending with a two-yard touchdown run from junior running back Jalen Bell.
After a couple of offensive possessions, Cabot’s Launius broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers on top 14-7. Bryant responded with a 2:30 drive ending with a nine-yard touchdown run from Bell.
Bryant’s offense found the end zone again with another touchdown run with 4:09 left in the half. This one coming from senior running back Karon Dismuke. Denker’s extra point gave the Hornets a 21-14 lead going into the half.
“Last week’s game went down to the wire, and this one went down to the wire,” Malham said, “so maybe we’re starting to get it right.
“About five sophomores played on the offensive line. The fullback that broke it (Launius) he’s a sophomore and we’ve got about three or four playing on defense. We’re young.”
The Hornets’ offense came out strong in the second half. After a 54-yard completion from Bryant quarterback Hayden Lessenberry to Sawyer Nichols, Lessenberry took the quarter back keeper into the endzone from a yard out. The extra point increased Bryant’s lead to 28-14.
After a three and out on the Panthers’ previous possession, Cabot’s offense found the end zone again when Launius punched it in on fourth and goal at the 1-yard line, capping off an 11-play drive to make the score 28-21.
Bryant’s next possession looked promising as the offense moved the ball into Panther territory. On third down, Lessenberry’s pass was intercepted by sophomore Jordan Burke, giving the Panthers the spark they needed.
The Cabot offense responded with another long drive. This one took 14 plays, ending with a seven-yard touchdown run from senior Weston Conard with 2:14 left in the game. Marquez’s extra point tied the game at 28.
Bryant’s offense countered with a 12-play drive to set up Denker for the field goal and the final score.
“Bryant’s got a good ball club,” Malham said. “They score points on everybody. Defensively we’ve been struggling this year because of the speed factor, but overall I was pleased. The kids played hard. They were down late and didn’t quit. They came back, tied it up, and at least made it interesting.”
The Hornets’ offense put together 353 total yards. Lessenberry finished the night 16 of 27 for 216 yards. Cabot’s offense found success again on the ground, finishing with 264 rushing yards, and 307 yards of total offense. Launius led the Panthers with 19 carries for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Cabot will host Van Buren. at 7 p.m. next Friday.
