Toney’s kickoff return helps Elkins turn back Dardanelle

Published On: September 5, 2026Categories: High School, News

Elkins 28, Dardanelle 14

ELKINS — Braxton Toney returned a kickoff for a touchdown immediately after Dardanelle took its only lead, and Elkins added nine fourth-quarter points to finish a 28-14 victory Friday.

CJ Cursh started at quarterback in place of Kam Olson, directing both touchdown drives while converting first downs on keepers.

Josh Hamm opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run at 9:21 of the first quarter after Elkins recovered a fumble on Dardanelle’s second offensive play. The Elks led 6-0 after the extra-point attempt missed.

Brayden Mans intercepted a pass in the second quarter to start Dardanelle’s first scoring possession. On fourth down, Cursh found Jayvon Chaten for a 16-yard touchdown with 18 seconds before halftime. Leo Martinez’s extra point gave the Sand Lizards a 7-6 lead.

Toney returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Dardanelle stopped the two-point pass, leaving Elkins ahead 12-7 at halftime.

Hamm scored on a 47-yard run with 10:43 remaining in the third quarter. Logan Farber’s extra point extended the advantage to 19-7.

Dardanelle answered with a 65-yard drive that consumed nearly 7½ minutes. Chaten finished it with a 7-yard touchdown run on fourth down at 3:14, and Martinez’s kick brought the Sand Lizards within 19-14.

Mans intercepted his second pass with 1:06 left in the third quarter. Cursh later ran for a first down to the Elkins 15, but an Elkins interception on fourth-and-six ended the possession.

Quarterback Austin Born then moved Elkins into scoring position with first-down runs, including a keeper from midfield to near the Dardanelle 20. Elkins scored on a counter run with 5:52 remaining and added the extra point for a 26-14 lead.

A safety following a Dardanelle fumble produced the final margin. Elkins kept possession after the free kick, gained additional first downs and ended the game with a kneeldown.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Elkins — Josh Hamm 5-yard touchdown run (kick failed), 9:21. Elkins 6, Dardanelle 0.

2nd Quarter
Dardanelle — Jayvon Chaten 16-yard touchdown pass from CJ Cursh (Leo Martinez kick), 0:18. Dardanelle 7, Elkins 6.
Elkins — Braxton Toney kickoff-return touchdown (two-point pass failed). Elkins 12, Dardanelle 7.

3rd Quarter
Elkins — Josh Hamm 47-yard touchdown run (Logan Farber kick), 10:43. Elkins 19, Dardanelle 7.
Dardanelle — Jayvon Chaten 7-yard touchdown run on fourth down (Leo Martinez kick), 3:14. Elkins 19, Dardanelle 14.

4th Quarter
Elkins — Touchdown run, scorer unconfirmed (kick good), 5:52. Elkins 26, Dardanelle 14.
Elkins — Safety following a Dardanelle fumble. Elkins 28, Dardanelle 14.

Players Who Stood Out

Josh Hamm, Elkins: Touchdown runs of 5 and 47 yards, opening the scoring and extending Elkins’ lead early in the third quarter.
Braxton Toney, Elkins: Kickoff-return touchdown immediately after Dardanelle went ahead 7-6, giving Elkins a 12-7 halftime lead.
Jayvon Chaten, Dardanelle: Two touchdowns — a 16-yard reception and a 7-yard run, both on fourth down. Also broke up a third-quarter pass.
Brayden Mans, Dardanelle: Two interceptions, one in the second quarter and another with 1:06 remaining in the third. Also defended Elkins’ unsuccessful two-point pass.
CJ Cursh, Dardanelle: 16-yard touchdown pass to Chaten. His fourth-quarter first-down run advanced Dardanelle to the Elkins 15.