LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Bigelow's Rhett Neumeier threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns, and Carter Alexander added 67 rushing yards and a touchdown to help the Panthers down East Poinsett County 28-14 in the Class 2A state title game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Friday.
Neumeier was named MVP for his performance as Bigelow claimed its first state championship in football.
The Panthers jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead in the first quarter when Neumeier connected with Ryan Hobbs and Easton Platt for touchdowns of 46 and 55 yards, respectively.
East Poinsett County responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Argo Cooper to Dennis Gaines with no time left in the first half to cut Bigelow's lead to 13-8.
In the second half, the Panthers and Warriors traded blows.
Neuimeier secured his third touchdown pass when he found Brandt Tipton from 22 yards out to give the Panthers a 20-8 lead with 9:27 remaining in the third quarter.
The Warriors, trailing by 12 points in the fourth quarter, cut Bigelow's lead to one possession after Cooper tossed a 29-yard touchdown to Omar McCuiston to bring the Panthers' lead to 20-14 with 6:28 left.
However, Alexander's four-yard rushing score with 3:07 to play put things away for Bigelow, who finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record.