Harrison’s defense propels Goblins to playoffs
Published 8:21 am Wednesday, November 11, 2026
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The Harrison Golden Goblins are in the playoffs and the team can thank its defense.
Friday night’s game with Morrilton determined the last spot for the Class 5A State Football Playoffs from the conference.
That spot went to Harrison after the Goblins defeated the Devil Dogs, 28-13.
In the second half, the Goblin defense bent, but never broke as the team didn’t give up a second half point despite being put in short-field situations.
Morrilton was on Harrison’s side of the field for most of the second half. The Devil Dogs received the opening kick and then gave it back to the Goblins with a fumble.
The second Devil Dog drive of the second half resulted in a dropped fourth-down pass in the end zone.
A Harrison interception allowed the Devil Dogs to start at the Goblin 40.
Morrilton started another drive at the 41 of Harrison and then with 4:16 left in the game, thanks to a holding penalty, the Devil Dogs started on their side of the field close to the 45.
Harrison’s defense forced Morrilton into five turnovers.
The Devil Dogs could not score, but Harrison could not move the football as penalties kept the team pinned deep on Morrilton’s end of the gridiron.
Harrison received the football to start the game, but Goblin drives were unsuccessful.
It was the third drive that set the tone for scoring for Harrison.
The Goblins moved the ball with a third down conversion before quarterback Gavin Jones hit Dawson Smith with a short pass that turned into a 43-yard score with 3:42 left in the first.
That was the only score in the first quarter, however the Goblins moved the ball to the Morrilton seven as the first quarter came to a close.
Lining up in the Wild Gob, Skyler Lee took a direct snap and covered the distance in just four seconds.
Truett Bardwell made both points after attempts to give Harrison a 14-0 lead.
The Goblins didn’t keep that lead long.
Morrilton scored just 20 seconds later. The Devil Dogs missed the extra point to make it a 14-6 contest.
Harrison had two more scores in the half.
The first came on a Lee two-yard run midway through the frame and the last came as two seniors combined for a 36-yard touchdown. Jones hit Braden Bryant for the score with 1:47 left in the half. Bardwell mailed both PATs.
Morrilton had a score sandwiched between the last two Harrison scores.
The Goblins will travel to Camden Fairview on Friday night for playoff action. The game starts at 7 p.m.
