Football: Nationally-Ranked Ouachita Pulls Away in the Fourth, Defeats Henderson 38-10 in Battle of the Ravine
November 11, 2018
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State had its chances on Saturday against No. 4 Ouachita Baptist and nearly made it a one-score game in the fourth quarter, but mistakes plagued the final period for the Reddies and closed the door on a comeback attempt, as they fell in the 92nd Battle of the Ravine, 38-10.
Despite trailing 24-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Reddies (5-6) had life with a 2nd-and-goal on the OBU 3-yard line as they looked to close the deficit to one score. However, a loss of seven yards on 2nd-and-goal, followed by an incomplete pass and a missed 27-yard field goal swung all the momentum back to the Tigers.
On OBU's ensuing possession, Henderson had a chance to get off the field with the Tigers facing a 3rd-and-14 at their own 30-yard line, but a deflating pass interference call extended the drive for Ouachita. Four plays later, the Tigers took advantage, as Brockton Brown scampered 42 yards to push the lead to 31-10 with nine minutes to play.
An interception deep in HSU territory on the next drive for the Reddies effectively ended it, as OBU (11-0) punched in another score late to put the game on ice and clinch an unbeaten regular season.
As a team, Henderson played the No. 4 team in the country well statistically. OBU out-gained the Reddies just 312-295 in total yardage and HSU won the time of possession battle, but two interceptions and a lost fumble led to 21 points for the Tigers on the day.
Ben Johnson led the Reddies in his final college game, as he pulled in eight passes for 112 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year. Richard Stammetti completed 21-of-37 passes for 203 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Querale Hall, Logan Moragne, Kody Whitaker and Stammetti combined for 92 rushing yards on the day.
Defensively, senior Cameron Sonnier led the way with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, while fellow senior Loren Johnstun picked up Henderson's lone sack of the afternoon.
After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Henderson got some momentum in the second when Stammetti found Johnson from 36 yards out to bring the Reddies within 14-7.
A field goal from the Tigers made it 17-7, but after getting the ball back with under three minutes to play until the half, the Reddies tried to force the ball down the field and got it picked off, which gave the ball back to OBU in plus territory with two minutes to work with. Ouachita took advantage moments later as Brayden Brazeal found LaDarius McElroy from 16 yards out to give the Tigers a commanding 24-7 advantage at the break.
The Reddies came out with a long drive to open the third quarter, which looked like it would be capped with another long touchdown pass from Stammetti to Johnson, but an illegal man downfield wiped away the score. Henderson ultimately settled for a field goal on the 15-play, 67-yard march.
Henderson controlled the ball for nearly 13 of the 15 minutes in the third quarter but came away with just three total points before the Tigers ran away in the fourth.
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