Dardanelle Answers Mansfield’s Challenge, Pulls Away in Second Half

Dardanelle 55, Mansfield 30

DARDANELLE — Dardanelle answered Mansfield’s challenge, scored on eight possessions and pulled away for a 55-30 season-opening victory Friday at Keenan Field.

Mansfield capitalized first after a high punt snap gave the Tigers possession at the Dardanelle 13. Jeremiah Burton finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Mansfield added the conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Jayvon Chaten answered with a 44-yard touchdown run. Dardanelle then recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Mansfield 27, and CJ Cursh scored from 3 yards out for a 14-8 lead. Mansfield regained the advantage when Jubal Parks threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Carson, followed by another conversion. Chaten’s 33-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining gave Dardanelle a 21-16 lead after one quarter.

Kam Olson extended the margin with touchdown passes of 47 and 9 yards to Cursh. Mansfield responded before halftime when Isaac Carson scored on a 19-yard reverse and the Tigers completed the conversion pass, cutting Dardanelle’s lead to 35-24.

Breydin Hardy intercepted Parks on Mansfield’s opening second-half possession and returned the ball to the Tigers’ 36. Four plays later, Hardy scored on a 17-yard run. Mansfield stayed within 42-30 after Jeremiah Burton’s 30-yard touchdown run following a Dardanelle turnover, but the conversion failed.

Cursh restored separation with a 37-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Dardanelle completed the scoring early in the fourth when Chaten threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Mans on fourth-and-long.

Chaten finished with 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, completed his only pass for a touchdown and made 12 tackles. Cursh produced 62 rushing yards and two scores, 56 receiving yards and two scores, 37 passing yards and 14 tackles. Hardy added 35 rushing yards, one touchdown, 19 tackles and the interception as Dardanelle outscored Mansfield 20-6 after halftime.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• Mansfield — Jeremiah Burton 2-yard run (2-point run good), Mansfield 8-0, 8:24.
• Dardanelle — Jayvon Chaten 44-yard run (Leo Martinez kick), Mansfield 8-7, 6:57.
• Dardanelle — CJ Cursh 3-yard run (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 14-8, 4:46.
• Mansfield — Isaac Carson 24-yard pass from Jubal Parks (2-point run good), Mansfield 16-14, 1:28.
• Dardanelle — Chaten 33-yard run (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 21-16, 0:57.

2nd Quarter

• Dardanelle — Cursh 47-yard pass from Kam Olson (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 28-16, 9:21.
• Dardanelle — Cursh 9-yard pass from Olson (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 35-16, 5:41.
• Mansfield — Carson 19-yard reverse (2-point pass good), Dardanelle 35-24, 0:45.

3rd Quarter

• Dardanelle — Breydin Hardy 17-yard run (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 42-24, 9:25.
• Mansfield — Jeremiah Burton 30-yard run (2-point run failed), Dardanelle 42-30, 5:54.
• Dardanelle — Cursh 37-yard run (PAT failed after mishandled snap), Dardanelle 48-30, 3:34.

4th Quarter

• Dardanelle — Brayden Mans 31-yard pass from Chaten on fourth-and-long (Martinez kick), Dardanelle 55-30, 11:02.

Players of the Game

• Jayvon Chaten, Dardanelle RB/FS: 13 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns; completed his only pass for a 31-yard touchdown; one reception for 17 yards; 12 tackles and two tackles for loss.
• CJ Cursh, Dardanelle WR/SS: Seven carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns; two receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns; 2-of-4 passing for 37 yards; 14 tackles and one pass breakup.
• Breydin Hardy, Dardanelle RB/LB: Five carries for 35 yards and a 17-yard touchdown; 19 tackles and an interception that set up Dardanelle’s opening second-half touchdown.
• Jeremiah Burton, Mansfield RB/S: 10 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns, covering 2 and 30 yards; one 2-point conversion; one reception and two tackles.
• Isaac Carson, Mansfield RB/S: One 24-yard touchdown reception and one 19-yard touchdown run; three kickoff returns for 29 yards, four tackles and two punts for 53 yards.