Coming off their weakest performance of the year, Har-Ber (8-4) traveled to Little Rock for a bout with the second seed from the central division, North Little Rock.
The Wildcats led the entire game, until deep in the fourth quarter when running back Kendall Williams scored for the third time. That would be all the Charging Wildcats of NLR would need, as they went on to victory, 41-37.
“Despite the loss, I believe we achieved more then what was expected this season,” said quarterback Jon Vaughn.
After Har-Ber went up 24-7, North Little Rock responded with two touchdowns of their own before the half. Both were on Kaylon Cooper touchdown passes.
“This was the turning point of the game when we let them back in it before the half,” said senior quarterback Austin Mayfield, who combined with Vaughn for 325 yards passing.
To start all scoring in the second half, senior defensive back Chad Ramey intercepted a pass on the North Little Rock 25-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.
Barring a 61 yard touchdown run by junior tailback Tucker Lee, that would end Har-Ber’s scoring for the night. Lee was the leading rusher for the Wildcats with 796 yards and eight touchdowns. The Charging Wildcats then responded with their own tailback, Kendall Williams, who scored three touchdowns in a span of eight minutes of game time.
“Falling just short can be a heart break moment,” said Vaughn, “but I loved my senior year; I am really going to miss my teammates and coaches.”
Vaughn finished the season with 818 passing yards and 552 rushing yards, combining for 17 total touchdowns.
His counterpart in the split quarterback system, Mayfield threw for 1545 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“Going into the season, I wasn’t really sure what the season was going to consist of. As far as the team, I knew we had a chance to do some special things,” Mayfield said. “I think we are a better team that what we finished.”