SEARCY – Harding Academy’s Andrew Miller contributed 19 times for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns when the Wildcats defeated Centerpoint (9-4) 35-7 in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs Friday night at First Security Stadium.
Harding Academy (11-2) advance in the semi-finals next Friday at home against Booneville.
Miller scores on runs of 1 and 3 yards. His 19 carries are a season high for the senior running back, who has run 1,367 yards this season.
“We talked about it as a coach … it makes us go on the offensive,” said Harding Academy coach Neil Evans. “… I tell you. Our offensive may have played its best game. Your defensive front [Centerpoint] is very good. You have an all-state returner at Linebacker. They made sounds of anger – flashing and moving. It was just an amazing job from our offensive line. “
Harding Academy ended rushing 143 yards. Junior quarterback Kade Smith completed 10 of 16 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown pass was 30 yards to Wyatt Simmons. Smith also scored two 1-yard touchdowns with the Wildcats leading 35-0 at halftime.
Evans said his team had some mistakes to make.
“They put us in some negative situations,” said Evans. “We shot ourselves a bit in the leg by not doing some things. I think it says a lot about our team to get over those things.”
Centerpoints only touchdown came 5:19 in the game when Dillon met Fox on a 7-yard run.
Centerpoint quarterback Joshua Lawson completed 14 of 24 passes for 131 yards. He also threw two interceptions – one each from Ryan McGaha and Lawson Brooks.
Centerpoint trainer Cary Rogers said his team’s plan is to try and control the clock.
“We knew there would be few big games,” said Rogers. “We were hoping to check the clock and make some sales. They didn’t work out. What do you do then? I’m happy with the effort.”
