BATESVILLE -- In a crucial 5A-East Conference game for both teams Friday night, it was Wynne that scored the first three touchdowns and held off Batesville for a 21-7 victory at Pioneer Stadium.
Both teams lost last week, and Friday's victory was key for the Yellowjackets (5-2, 3-1 5A-East) in their quest to secure a home playoff game. The Pioneers (2-5, 2-2) are on the outside looking in for a home playoff spot.
Wynne held a 7-0 advantage at halftime as both teams had two opportunities to score over the first two quarter, but three of those four ended without points.
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In the second half, Wynne's second touchdown was set up by another interception. On third and 11 from the Yellowjackets' 40, James Holden Parker tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Kavion Alston to make it 14-0.
The Yellowjackets' third touchdown was set up by a 74-yard run by Parker on the last play of the third quarter. On the third play of the fourth, Parker punched it in from a yard out to make it 21-0 with 10:54 to play.
The Pioneers made it interesting over the final 10 minutes, capping a 13-play, 66-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Ethan Ridgel with 5:06 remaining. Batesville drove to the Wynne 10 on the next drive before failing to score on fourth and goal from the 16.
Parker led Wynne with 120 yards on 23 carries and also completed 2 passes for 89 yards. The Yellowjackets finished with 358 total yards, 269 of which were on the ground.
Batesville finished with 220 yards, 128 passing and 92 rushing. Ridgel ran 14 times for 67 yards. Quarterback Eli Livingston completed 14 of 30 passes for 128 yards but also threw 3 interceptions.
Sports on 10/19/2019