The Batesville Junior High Pioneers secured the 5A/6A East Bowl Conference championship with a 28-8 victory over the Mountain Home Bombers on their opponent’s home field earlier this month.
The win capped a strong season for the Pioneers, who finished with a 7-3 record after overcoming a 1-3 start. The team won six consecutive games and posted a 5-1 record in conference play.
Head Coach Kelly Rush credited the team’s growth and resilience for their success.
“This was a season of lessons and adaptability for our boys. We saw improvements each game, and by the end, they had truly earned their seat for the district championship,” Rush said. “To back it up with a win over a very good Mountain Home Bombers program was a tremendous achievement. It’s the little things that kept us motivated along the way, like celebrating with a pancake breakfast after big wins. These moments made the season memorable, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my dedicated coaching staff.”
Looking ahead, Rush expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for senior high football.
“I’m thrilled to watch this group play at the senior high level,” he said. “Our job as a coaching staff is to prepare these young men to play at the next level, and they’re more than ready. The future of Pioneer Nation is bright, and we’re excited to see even more wins at Pioneer Stadium as this group comes up.”
Image provided by the Batesville School District
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 from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
