Open Modal

Pioneers prevail in second straight nail-biter of a finish

batesville-high-school-pioneer-stadium-pioneer-nation-gena-tate
batesville-high-school-pioneer-stadium-pioneer-nation-gena-tate

For the second straight game, the Batesville Pioneers scored the game-winning points on the final play of the game to give Batesville a 1-0 start in 5A East Play as they defeated the previously unbeaten Nettleton Raiders by a score of 34-28 at Pioneer Stadium.

The Pioneers would get on the board on their first drive of the game, as Holden Hutchins took a direct snap and rumbled 17 yards into the endzone at the 8:30 mark in the first quarter. Also, Gallardo’s extra point made the score 7-0. Nettleton would respond with 14 unanswered points to take a 14-7 lead. Rhett McDonald would score from three yards out with 4:16 left to go in the second quarter, and Gallardo’s second extra point made the score 14-14 at the half.

After Nettleton scored on their opening drive of the third quarter, the Pioneers blocked the extra point to make the score 20-14. The Pioneers would answer at the 5:44 mark in the third quarter when Gabe Witt raced untouched for a 29-yard score. Gallardo hit the extra point to put the Pioneers back in the lead 21-20.

The Pioneers scored at the 11:11 mark in the fourth quarter when the Pioneer defense swarmed a Nettleton ball carrier deep in Raider territory knocking the ball loose, Gentry Moody scooped up the fumble and raced 15 yards into the endzone for the score. Gallardo’s extra point put the Pioneers ahead 28-20.

Nettleton would score with just 2:32 left in the fourth to pull within 2. The Raiders successfully converted their two-point conversion to tie the score at 28.

After the Pioneers had to punt the football back to the Raiders, Nettleton drove to the Batesville 2-yard line with just a few seconds remaining. On second and goal from the 3, Mike Townsley tackled the Nettleton running back for a two-yard loss and forced the Raiders to call their final time out with just nine seconds left to play. The Raiders decided to try for a 23-yard game-winning field goal, but Wyatt Fowler blocked the kick and Jaiden Henderson picked up the loose ball at the 18-yard line and raced 82 yards for the game-winning score.

The Pioneers improved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in 5A East play. Nettleton dropped to 3-1 and 0-1 in the conference.

The Pioneers will travel to Paragould next Friday to take on the Paragould Rams. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Follow the Batesville Pioneers through radio coverage from White River Now’s 93 KZLE on-air and through the White River Now website or app.

Article by Ronald Richardson / White River Now file image of Pioneer Stadium by Gena Tate

Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLEOutlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5

Recommended Posts

Loading...