“The Reddies cite Wikipedia.” This was just one of the many signs raised above the crowd across the street. The group of students that made the short trek across the boulevard expected a close game. Most publications predicted a loss for OBU, and even the most die-hard fan expected a game down to the wire. The Tigers didn’t listen to the noise, and rode hard-fought 2nd and 3rd quarters to a three-point win over Henderson 30-27.
An early fumble led to a Henderson State score in the first quarter. In the second, Ouachita fought back with a 31-yard run to pay-dirt by Drew Harris to tie the game 7-7. Henderson immediately answered with a 94-yard drive and a score by Jaquan Cole. After a drive by OBU, Cole Antley tried to finish it off with a 28-yard field goal. His kick hit the upright, and Henderson kept the lead for the moment. The Tigers came back swinging after the miss and forced a Reddie fumble at the Henderson 38. Facing a 3rd-and-17, Lucas Reed hit La’Darius McElroy for a 20-yard score with 37 seconds left in the half to take the momentum going into the locker room.
With the two teams battling evenly, Ouachita needed a game-flipping play to shake things their way. Shelton Wooley launched a 41-yard punt that was downed at the 4-yard line to create the opportunity for Ouachita. In the play that followed, OBU’s Demetric Jennings tackled Jeremy Wilson in the end zone for a safety to put OBU on top 16-14. OBU was able to add a 41-yard field goal on the following drive to go up 19-14. Lucas Reed ran up the middle for 3-yard score on their next drive to go up another score. With the score 27-14 at this point, Henderson switched up their quarterback position and put in Evan Lassiter to give their offense a boost. He instantly took the Reddies 82 yards on a 9-play drive and scored on a 1-yard run. OBU took this opportunity to make another Antley field goal and push its lead to 10 once again, 30-20. Henderson took its next drive 72 yards on 4 plays that took only 59 seconds. With the score now 30-27, OBU had to defend one more drive from Henderson. A long punt by Shelton Wooley and four stops by the OBU defense finished the game off for the Tigers, and the fans rushed the field with a final score of 30-27 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.
Thanks to big games by special teams aces, Shelton Wooley and Cole Antley, as well as a major offensive spark provided by Drew Harris and Lucas Reed, OBU walked away with a win. This win gives OBU their sixth straight winning season, which is the longest active streak for any school in Arkansas. The 90th edition of the Battle of the Ravine ended in favor of OBU, and fans are already looking forward to next year when the trip to the game will be 50 steps less grueling, and the talened-but-young-team of Tigers have one more year of practice under their belts. Buckle up Tiger fans. Grab your, game signs, popcorn and purple. There is only 345 days till game-time.
– By Ian Craft, Sports Editor
