The Mena Bearcats (4-2, 2-1) scored early and often Friday night and left no doubt as to the outcome in a 51-6 pounding of the Bauxite Miners at Bearcat Stadium on Homecoming night. Mena led 36-0 at the half, evoking the sportsmanship clock rule in the second half.
Jr. Justin Dean accounted for 5 touchdowns including a 97 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half. Ty Cole and Devin Belknap also scored for the Bearcats. Jr. quarterback Carson Cannon was 6-12 for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior Ryan Ozanich rushed 5 times for 81 yards and Dean rushed 9 times for 67 yards in the victory.
The Bearcats now head into a difficult four game stretch with Arkadelphia, Nashville, Fountain Lake, and Joe T. Robinson on the horizon. Playoff implications are now in play for Mena and another victory all but guarantees another post season appearance for the Bearcats. It all starts this Friday when Mena travels to Arkadelphia to face the Badgers.