Batesville, AR - Lyon College Scots football fell 44-24 to the Hendrix College Warriors in their final regular season game of the year. Lyon trailed 31-17 at halftime after a pair of second-quarter touchdowns, including a 95-yard blocked field goal return for a score, but Hendrix pulled away in the second half. The Scots at 3-6 overall record and a 2-2 mark in conference play.
Hendrix opened the scoring with a 33-yard field goal midway through the first quarter before adding a five-yard rushing touchdown with 4:03 remaining to take a 10-0 lead.
The Warriors extended their advantage early in the second quarter with a 42-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 19-yard rushing score to move ahead 24-0.
Lyon answered with a 10-play, 46-yard drive that ended with Jesus Romero-Castillo connecting on a 25-yard field goal with 9:22 remaining in the half. Hendrix responded with an 11-yard touchdown pass to extend its lead to 31-3.
The Scots continued to battle and put together a six-play, 44-yard scoring drive. Hayden Barton capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:49 remaining in the half, cutting the deficit to 31-10.
Lyon's defense delivered another major play just before halftime. After Zander Week blocked a 25-yard Hendrix field goal attempt, Tramane Turner recovered the ball and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown with 33 seconds remaining. Romero-Castillo added the extra point, sending the Scots into halftime trailing 31-17.
Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, but Lyon's defense came up with two interceptions to keep the Warriors from adding to their lead. William Littell intercepted a Hendrix pass and returned it 22 yards, while Kartez Simon added another interception later in the quarter.
Hendrix opened the fourth quarter with a 28-yard field goal to make it 34-17. The Warriors added a 60-yard touchdown reception with 7:52 remaining and another 30-yard field goal at the 4:28 mark to extend their lead to 44-17.
Lyon responded quickly with a two-play, 44-yard drive. Grayson Johnson connected with Javarion Williams for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 3:50 remaining. Romero-Castillo converted the extra point to bring the score to 44-24, but the Warriors held on for the victory.
Offensively, Johnson completed 10 of 23 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Williams led the Scots with seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Peyton Richardson added a 17-yard reception. Barton led Lyon on the ground with 30 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Donovan Jordan added 35 rushing yards on eight attempts.
Defensively, Littell led the Scots with 18 total tackles, including 15 solo stops, one tackle for loss, a sack and an interception. Noah Benton finished with 10 tackles, while Bradley Williams added seven tackles and a pass breakup. Jason Crawford Jr. recorded five tackles and two tackles for loss. Lyon's defense also finished with two interceptions and a blocked field goal.
The Scots totaled 171 yards of offense, including 114 passing yards and 57 rushing yards. Romero-Castillo connected on his lone field goal attempt from 25 yards and averaged 36.2 yards on five punts.
Scots football will head to Little Rock, AR to compete in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship weekend with games being held in War Memorial Stadium this coming Saturday, September 14th. With Lyon's record we would face the Centenary College Gents in the Third Place Game at 8:00 PM. Ticketing and other information will follow soon.
