The Coach Ryan Morrow era of Pioneer Football got off to a great start as the Batesville Pioneers defeated the Class 6A Searcy Lions 40 to 39 in their season opener at Pioneer Stadium.
The Pioneers trailed 7-0 when Gabe Witt scampered 30 yards for the first score of the season. Aldo Gallardo hit the extra point to tie the game at 7.
Searcy would take a 14-7 lead just a couple of minutes later, but the Pioneers quickly answered when Mike Townsley took the ensuing kickoff and raced 76 yards into the end zone. Gallardo’s extra point tied the game at 14, which is how the first quarter ended.
Searcy scored on the first play of the second quarter, but the Pioneers blocked the extra point to make the score 20-14. Searcy would score another touchdown to make the score 27-14 in their favor. The Pioneers answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Rhett McDonald to Gabe Witt. The extra point was no good to make the score 27-20. The Pioneers held Searcy on a goal line stand in the final minute of the second quarter, capped off by a blocked field goal to end the half.
After stopping Searcy’s first drive of the third quarter, Witt took the ball on Batesville’s first play and raced 75 yards untouched for the tying score. Witt would find the end zone again in the third quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run, putting the Pioneers ahead 33-27.
The final Pioneer score came in the fourth quarter when Witt took a screen pass from McDonald 22 yards to the end zone. Gallardo’s extra point made the score 40-27.
Searcy scored with 8:02 in the 4th to pull within 7, but failed on their try for a 2-point conversion. Searcy would pull within 1 with 4:51 left to go in the game, and once again failed on a try for 2. Batesville controlled the football on their final possession, capped by a great scramble for the win clinching first down by McDonald.
The Pioneers start their season 1-0, giving Morrow his first win as head coach. The Pioneers will travel to Maumelle next Thursday to take on the Maumelle Hornets in a game to be televised state-wide in addition to radio coverage from White River Now’s 93 KZLE on-air, and through the White River Now website or app.
Article by Ronald Richardson
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