Bald Knob’s 20-Point Third Quarter Seals Rivalry Victory
Bald Knob 44, Riverview 12
BALD KNOB — Seften Palomares passed for 304 yards, and Bald Knob scored 20 third-quarter points to defeat Riverview 44-12 Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0, finishing with 458 yards of offense and converting five of seven third downs.
Riverview took the lead when Micah Stinson scored on a 1-yard run. Bald Knob answered with Walter Odom’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Grim, tying the game 6-6 after one quarter.
Bannon Kersey scored from 20 yards out in the second quarter, and Palomares followed with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Cole Dillard. Sophomore defensive back Ean Pearrow intercepted a pass late in the half to preserve Bald Knob’s 18-6 lead.
Palomares opened the third-quarter scoring with a 56-yard touchdown pass to Kersey. Payton Sims recovered the onside kick, and Palomares connected with Rylan Smith for a 39-yard score.
Sims added an interception during the quarter. Palomares then found Grim for a 47-yard touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 38-6 advantage entering the fourth.
Bald Knob added another touchdown before Riverview quarterback Austin Hill scored on a 5-yard run to complete the scoring.
Palomares completed 13 of 20 passes without an interception and rushed for 35 yards. Grim caught five passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while Kersey totaled 76 receiving yards.
Sims, Carson Burns and Payton King each recorded a sack. Sims contributed an interception and an onside-kick recovery, while Pearrow’s interception stopped Riverview’s late first-half scoring opportunity. Bald Knob totaled 135 yards on the ground.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Riverview – Micah Stinson 1-yard run (conversion failed), Riverview 6-0.
Bald Knob – Cayden Grim 19-yard pass from Walter Odom (conversion failed), tied 6-6.
2nd Quarter
Bald Knob – Bannon Kersey 20-yard touchdown, play type unconfirmed (conversion failed), Bald Knob 12-6.
Bald Knob – Cole Dillard 29-yard pass from Seften Palomares (conversion failed), Bald Knob 18-6.
3rd Quarter
Bald Knob – Bannon Kersey 56-yard pass from Palomares (kick good), Bald Knob 25-6.
Bald Knob – Rylan Smith 39-yard pass from Palomares (conversion failed), Bald Knob 31-6.
Bald Knob – Cayden Grim 47-yard pass from Palomares (kick good), Bald Knob 38-6.
4th Quarter
Bald Knob – Touchdown, Bald Knob 44-6.
Riverview – Austin Hill 5-yard run (conversion failed), Bald Knob 44-12.
Players Who Stood Out
Seften Palomares, Bald Knob, quarterback: Completed 13 of 20 passes for 304 yards without an interception and rushed for 35 yards, totaling 339 yards of offense.
Cayden Grim, Bald Knob, receiver: Caught five passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His 19-yard reception tied the game, and his 47-yard touchdown catch extended the lead to 38-6.
Bannon Kersey, Bald Knob, receiver: Totaled 76 receiving yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception. Also scored Bald Knob’s go-ahead touchdown from 20 yards out.
Payton Sims, Bald Knob, linebacker: Recorded one sack, intercepted a third-quarter pass and recovered an onside kick before the Bulldogs’ 39-yard touchdown pass.
Ean Pearrow, Bald Knob, defensive back: Intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, preserving an 18-6 halftime lead.