Gaines Scores Twice on Defense as Searcy Wins Conference Opener

Published On: September 26, 2026Categories: High School, News

Searcy 52, El Dorado 31

SEARCY — Will Gaines scored two defensive touchdowns, Jacob Miles threw three touchdown passes, and Searcy opened 6A East play with a 52–31 victory over El Dorado on Friday night at Lion Stadium.

The matchup of unbeaten teams swung toward the Lions after El Dorado took a 17–14 second-quarter lead. Searcy answered with 31 consecutive points, including three touchdowns in the opening 5:18 of the third quarter, and improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in conference play.

Eric Flores’ field goal gave El Dorado the first points. Searcy answered late in the opening quarter when Miles found Jackson Smith on third-and-12 for a catch near the goal line. With Jeremiah Goodman serving as a lead blocker, DeAndre Shockley scored from 2 yards out. Micah Linderman’s kick made it 7–3 with 14 seconds left.

Gaines added the first defensive score 12 seconds into the second quarter. Carron Conner had the ball carrier wrapped up when the ball came loose, and Gaines took it the other direction for a touchdown. The extra point extended Searcy’s lead to 14–3.

El Dorado responded through the air. Ryan Polk connected with Justin Hammett on a touchdown pass, then found Christian Williams for a 5-yard score after the Wildcats took over at the Searcy 30 following a short punt. Diego Aguilar’s kicks helped put El Dorado ahead 17–14 with 7:35 left in the half.

Will Manning supplied Searcy’s answer on third-and-four. He reached out with one hand for Miles’ pass, regained his balance with a hand on the turf and accelerated for a 45-yard touchdown. Linderman added a field goal on the final play of the half for a 24–17 lead.

Searcy’s opening possession after halftime ended with Miles’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Manning. Bryson Thompson had brought the Lions to the 3 with a catch along the sideline, setting up Manning’s second score with 9:45 left in the third quarter.

The Lions then forced a punt, and Smith returned it to the El Dorado 25. Shockley advanced the ball to the 12 before Thompson took a jet sweep around the left side for a touchdown and a 38–17 lead.

Gaines struck again with 6:42 remaining in the quarter. Under pressure, Polk lost the ball into the air. Gaines caught it and returned it for his second defensive touchdown, extending the margin to 45–17.

Williams kept El Dorado moving with a sliding touchdown catch on fourth-and-10. Trayden Cook-King later scored on a run with 6:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, bringing the Wildcats within 45–31.

Searcy answered with an 83-yard touchdown drive. Shockley carried from the Lions’ 17 past the 35 to start it, and Miles finished it with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Smith on a double move with 4:27 left.

Chance McCammon intercepted Polk on El Dorado’s next possession, giving Searcy the ball to finish the game. Linderman completed the night with seven extra points and a field goal for 10 points.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

El Dorado — Eric Flores field goal. El Dorado 3–0.
Searcy — DeAndre Shockley 2-yard run (Micah Linderman kick). Searcy 7–3.

Second quarter

Searcy — Will Gaines fumble return (Linderman kick). Searcy 14–3.
El Dorado — Justin Hammett touchdown pass from Ryan Polk (Diego Aguilar kick). Searcy 14–10.
El Dorado — Christian Williams 5-yard pass from Polk (Aguilar kick). El Dorado 17–14.
Searcy — Will Manning 45-yard pass from Jacob Miles (Linderman kick). Searcy 21–17.
Searcy — Linderman field goal. Searcy 24–17.

Third quarter

Searcy — Manning 3-yard pass from Miles (Linderman kick). Searcy 31–17.
Searcy — Bryson Thompson 12-yard run (Linderman kick). Searcy 38–17.
Searcy — Gaines return of a loose ball (Linderman kick). Searcy 45–17.
El Dorado — Williams touchdown pass from Polk (Aguilar kick). Searcy 45–24.

Fourth quarter

El Dorado — Trayden Cook-King touchdown run (Aguilar kick). Searcy 45–31.
Searcy — Jackson Smith 43-yard pass from Miles (Linderman kick). Searcy 52–31.

Players Who Stood Out

Will Gaines, Searcy: Two defensive touchdowns. Returned a fumble early in the second quarter, then caught a ball that came loose from Polk and returned it for a third-quarter score.
Will Manning, Searcy: Touchdown catches of 45 and 3 yards. His one-handed catch and run on third-and-four gave Searcy a 21–17 lead.
Jacob Miles, Searcy: Three touchdown passes — two to Manning and the 43-yard completion to Smith that finished the scoring.
Jackson Smith, Searcy: A 43-yard touchdown catch, a third-and-12 reception that set up Shockley’s touchdown, and a punt return to the El Dorado 25 that set up Thompson’s score.
Bryson Thompson, Searcy: A 12-yard rushing touchdown on a jet sweep. His sideline reception to the 3 set up Manning’s second touchdown.
DeAndre Shockley, Searcy: A 2-yard rushing touchdown. Advanced the ball from the El Dorado 25 to the 12 before Thompson’s score and opened the final touchdown drive with a run from his 17 past the 35.
Chance McCammon, Searcy: Intercepted a fourth-quarter pass on El Dorado’s final possession, returning the ball into Wildcats territory.
Micah Linderman, Searcy: Seven successful extra points and a field goal for 10 points. His field goal gave Searcy a seven-point halftime lead.
Christian Williams, El Dorado: Two touchdown receptions, including a 5-yard catch that gave the Wildcats a 17–14 lead and a sliding catch on fourth-and-10 in the third quarter.
Ryan Polk, El Dorado: Three touchdown passes — one to Hammett and two to Williams. His two second-quarter scoring throws moved the Wildcats from an 11-point deficit into the lead.