The Camden Fairview Cardinals (5-1, 2-0) shut out a tough Arkansas High Razorback (1-4, 0-2) team on Friday night by a 33-0 score.
This marks the first varsity football win against the school since 2005 when both teams were members of the 5A conference, which was then the highest classification in the state.
The home team took the opening possession and matriculated the ball downfield behind the powerful running of Ja'Coriae "Bug" Brown. Cardinals quarterback Martavius Thomas completed two of his three passes on the 11-play drive for a total of 31 yards before Bug capped in with a one-yard touchdown run around the eight-minute mark. The PAT went awry when the snap skipped the ground, and holder Grant Jeffus tried his best to make good out of a bad situation, but a passing attempt went incomplete leaving the Cardinals ahead 6-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, CF got a lift when Rashaun Bush made a direct hit on the ball fielded by Arkansas High's Demetris Cherry to force a fumble. CF recovered it at the Arkansas High 25 yard line but turned the ball over on downs when a pass went incomplete on a fourth and short.
Arkansas High took over on its 19-yard line and like CF, utilized a power running attack during the heavy rainfall in the first half at Cardinal Stadium. Junior running back Marjaevion Cummings was the workhorse for the Razorbacks' offense and tallied six carries during the nine-play drive. The Cardinal defense was able to make a stop near midfield and force a punt.
CF would strike quickly on its next offensive possession when Thomas hooked up with senior wide receiver Michael "Pete" Suell for a 49-yard touchdown to end a four-play drive. The PAT by Nasir Khan sailed through the uprights to put CF ahead 13-0 with 32 seconds left in the first.
Neither team would score in the second quarter, but the Cardinals threatened on a couple of occasions. The first occurred when Arkansas High was attempted to punt around its 46-yard line, and the snap went above the punter's head and 20 yards in the negative. As the punter was attempted to pick the ball up he was laid out by a Cardinal defender. Camden Fairview was able to recover the loose ball and advance it to the Arkansas High 15-yard line. However, the Cardinals were flagged for roughing the kicker, and Arkansas High was awarded a fresh set of downs.
The second time the Cardinals got deep in Arkansas High territory resulted in a turnover on downs at the 17-yard line. The Cardinals were stuffed on a fourth and short with just over a minute left in the half.
The Cardinals held a 2-0 turnover advantage at the half after Arquavion Martin came up with an interception earlier in the second quarter.
After both teams traded body shots early in the third, CF would eventually wear down the Razorbacks. After dominating the time of possession by a margin of 3-to-1 in the third quarter, CF would score on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Thomas to Jarvis Reed with 1:21 left in the quarter. Khan's PAT was good as the Cardinals extended their lead to 20.
The Cardinals would score two more touchdowns in the fourth - a 70-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Copeland and an 80-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Alsobrook. The Razorbacks would block the final PAT that came with about seven minutes left in the ball game.
The Cardinals would pick off two more interceptions in the game, both by sophomore cornerback Jabauree Lockhart.
Razorback quarterback Layton Lammers played tough all night, but only completed one of his 12 passes - a big 20 pass to Cummings for a first down. Lammers was under pressure throughout the night and threw off his back foot religiously. Cummings would finish with around 80 yards on 20 carries, with the bulk of it coming on a 54-yard run late in the game. Logan Williams also lined up at QB for the Razorbacks and found success running the ball in the first quarter before being limited the remainder of the game.
Thomas finished with over 300 passing yards and fourth touchdowns on the night, while Brown finished with over 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. The Cardinal's lone turnover came on a fumble late in the ball game.
Arkansas High will face the Lake Hamilton Rams (1-4, 0-2) at home next week as the Cardinals will host long-time conference rivals in the Magnolia Panthers (2-4, 2-0) in a game with serious conference championship implications.