STUTTGART, Ark. – The Stuttgart Ricebirds kicked off their 2024 football season with a hard-fought 34-23 victory on the road against the Lonoke Jackrabbits Friday night, August 30.
Stuttgart struck early in the first quarter when quarterback Cain Price, under pressure, launched a 41-yard touchdown pass to QT Johnson, putting the Ricebirds up 7-0. Price and Johnson connected again on the following drive, this time for a 10-yard touchdown on a rollout to the left, with Dawson McKelvey adding the extra point to extend the lead to 14-0.
Lonoke responded with a big play of their own as quarterback Dylan Dean found Jonathan Hixson for a 51-yard strike down the seam, narrowing Stuttgart’s lead to 14-7. The Jackrabbits then tied the game with a 3-yard fullback blast by DMar Eason, followed by a successful PAT from Clifford Williams.
In the second quarter, Stuttgart regained the lead with a 16-yard rushing touchdown from tailback Jawyan Terry, giving the Ricebirds a 21-14 advantage at halftime.
Stuttgart extended their lead in the third quarter when Price sprinted to the edge for a 4-yard rushing touchdown, his first of the night. However, the PAT attempt was no good, keeping the score at 27-14.
Lonoke quickly answered on the ensuing kickoff as Trey Jackson found a gap and returned it nearly 80 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was missed, leaving Stuttgart with a 27-20 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Williams converted a 27-yard field goal for Lonoke, cutting Stuttgart’s lead to 27-23 with 8:20 remaining.
Cain Price sealed the victory for the Ricebirds with a 25-yard scramble for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. McKelvey’s successful PAT extended the lead to 34-23, which would be the final score.
The Stuttgart Ricebirds will host CAC next week on September 6, looking to build on their strong start to the season.
