Article by Ronald Richardson for White River Now
The Batesville Pioneers used a stifling defense to hold the highest scoring team in the 5A East to just seven points on their way to a 16-7 victory over the Valley View Blazers on Senior Night at Pioneer Stadium on Friday, Nov. 4.
Neither team found the end zone in the first quarter, and Valley View drew first blood with a touchdown pass at the 8:51 mark in the second quarter. The Pioneers would bounce back and score at the 2:59 mark in the second on a 17-yard touchdown run by Holden Hutchins. The extra point was blocked making the score Valley View — 7 Batesville — 6, and that is how the first half would end.
The Pioneers took the opening kickoff of the 3rd quarter and scores at the 8:51 mark when Rhett McDonald threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jermiah Strickland. Aldo Gallardo hit the extra point to give the Pioneers there first lead of the game.
The Pioneer defense, led by Beau Baxter, Mike Townsley, Isaiah Garcia, Conner Foree, Holden Hutchins, and many others played lights out the second half, forcing punts and multiple turnovers on downs. The Pioneers capped the scoring on a 22-yard field goal by Gallardo halfway through the fourth to set the final margin and give Valley View their first conference loss.
With the victory, the Pioneers secured the #3 playoff seed in the East and finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference record.
The Pioneers will next play at Prairie Grove.
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