The Mountain Home Bombers’ undefeated conference streak came to an end Friday night as they fell to the Van Buren Pointers, 21-14, in a dramatic finish on the road.
The decisive moment came in the final minute of the game. Trailing by seven, Mountain Home quarterback Conner Gentry took the snap on fourth-and-one from the Van Buren 1-yard line. Gentry stretched forward in what appeared to be a scoring effort, but officials ruled him down just short of the goal line. The turnover on downs allowed Van Buren to run out the clock, sealing the win.
Van Buren struck first, opening the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run at the 7:57 mark in the first quarter. Mountain Home responded later in the second quarter when Gentry engineered a drive that included a 12-yard connection with Gaige Wilson and a series of penalties and rushing plays. Running back Naz Johnson capped the series with a 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:51 left before halftime.
Both teams entered halftime tied, and the Bombers defense opened the third quarter with a strong stand that pinned Van Buren at its own 1-yard line after an Isaac Ballard punt. However, Mountain Home’s offense could not capitalize, as Gentry was intercepted shortly after regaining possession. Four plays later, a blocked Mountain Home punt was scooped up and returned 28 yards for a Van Buren touchdown, putting the Pointers ahead 14-7 late in the third quarter.
The Bombers clawed back in the fourth quarter. Johnson’s second touchdown of the night—a 4-yard run with 6:59 remaining—completed an 82-yard drive and tied the game at 14-14.
Van Buren answered quickly, using a halfback pass to complete a 27-yard touchdown, reclaiming the lead with just over five minutes remaining.
Mountain Home made one final push, advancing from its own 18-yard line deep into Van Buren territory on a drive that included a key 19-yard pass to Kanye Worman on fourth-and-nine and a 25-yard pass to Gus Wilber. Despite reaching the Van Buren 1-yard line, the Bombers were stopped just short of the end zone in the game’s final moments.
Mountain Home (5-1 in conference play) looks to regroup as they return home next Friday for a homecoming matchup against Fort Smith Southside.