Nettleton Answers Batesville Rally to Win 5A-East Opener

Published On: September 28, 2026Categories: High School, News

Nettleton 28, Batesville 21

BATESVILLE — Nettleton answered Batesville’s third-quarter rally with consecutive touchdown drives and earned a 28–21 victory Friday at Pioneer Stadium. The Raiders led 14–0 at halftime, regained the lead 88 seconds after the Pioneers tied it and opened 5A-East play with a road win.

Kieylen Hendrix intercepted two passes for Nettleton, one in each half. Jordan Orr, Calmarre Harrell and Donovan Mitchell scored touchdowns, and James Jackson recovered Batesville’s onside kick after the Pioneers pulled within seven points late in the fourth quarter.

Nettleton started at its 20 on the opening possession and drove for a touchdown pass to Orr. Drew Gossett’s extra point gave the Raiders a 7–0 lead with 10:27 left in the first quarter.

After stopping Batesville on fourth down, Nettleton put together another scoring drive. Eli Letner connected with Cortez McDay for a third-down conversion, and Orr added another reception before Letner picked up a first down on a keeper. Harrell carried repeatedly as the Raiders moved inside the 10, then scored with 2:03 remaining in the quarter. The extra point made it 14–0.

Both defenses kept the second quarter scoreless. Hendrix intercepted a pass early in the period, while Batesville’s Cooper Coleman tackled Letner behind the line on the ensuing possession. The Pioneers later stopped Nettleton on fourth down to keep the halftime margin at two touchdowns.

Batesville cut the lead in half when Hayes Kibe threw a touchdown pass to Xavier Pierce with 6:02 remaining in the third quarter. Tristan Prado’s kick made it 14–7.

Jake Daugherty then intercepted a fourth-and-14 pass, and Batesville scored on its next offensive play. Kibe found Kendall Johnson for the touchdown, and Prado’s extra point tied the game 14–14 with 2:40 left in the quarter.

Nettleton responded with an 80-yard scoring possession. Mitchell’s touchdown and Gossett’s kick restored the lead, 21–14, with 1:12 remaining. The Raiders then forced a punt and started their next drive at their own 40.

Harrell gained a first down before the third quarter ended. In the fourth, Letner completed a first-down pass to Orr, and Harrell converted third-and-7 before Nettleton scored again. The extra point extended the lead to 28–14 with 9:43 remaining. Hendrix intercepted another pass on Batesville’s next possession.

The Pioneers answered after forcing a punt. Johnson caught three passes on the ensuing drive, Pierce added a reception and A’Ryan Dale caught a pass for a first down. Kibe finished the possession with a touchdown pass to Dale, and Prado’s kick cut the margin to 28–21 with 3:48 left. Jackson secured the ensuing onside kick, and the score held through the finish.

Kibe completed 18 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson finished with six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Nettleton — Jordan Orr touchdown reception, 10:27; Drew Gossett kick. Nettleton 7–0.
Nettleton — Calmarre Harrell touchdown, 2:03; kick good. Nettleton 14–0.

Second quarter

No scoring. Nettleton led 14–0 at halftime.

Third quarter

Batesville — Xavier Pierce touchdown pass from Hayes Kibe, 6:02; Tristan Prado kick. Nettleton 14–7.
Batesville — Kendall Johnson touchdown pass from Kibe, 2:40; Prado kick. Tied 14–14.
Nettleton — Donovan Mitchell touchdown, 1:12; Gossett kick. Nettleton 21–14.

Fourth quarter

Nettleton — Touchdown, 9:43; kick good. Nettleton 28–14.
Batesville — A’Ryan Dale touchdown pass from Kibe, 3:48; Prado kick. Nettleton 28–21.

Players who stood out

Kieylen Hendrix, Nettleton: Intercepted two passes, one in the second quarter and another in the fourth with the Raiders leading 28–14.
Jordan Orr, Nettleton: Caught the opening touchdown pass and a first-down completion on the fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
Calmarre Harrell, Nettleton: Scored the first-quarter touchdown that extended the lead to 14–0. Converted third-and-7 during the drive that produced Nettleton’s final touchdown.
Donovan Mitchell, Nettleton: Scored with 1:12 left in the third quarter, putting the Raiders ahead for good after Batesville tied the game.
James Jackson, Nettleton: Recovered the onside kick following Batesville’s touchdown with 3:48 remaining. Also made a tackle on Savion Kelly during that scoring drive.
Hayes Kibe, Batesville: Completed 18 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, finding Xavier Pierce, Kendall Johnson and A’Ryan Dale for scores.
Kendall Johnson, Batesville: Six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. His scoring reception tied the game, and he added three catches on Batesville’s final touchdown drive.
Jake Daugherty, Batesville: Intercepted a fourth-and-14 pass in the third quarter. Batesville scored the tying touchdown on its next play.
Darmail Wren, Batesville: Tackled Harrell behind the line in both the first and third quarters.
Tristan Prado, Batesville: Made all three extra points, including the kick that tied the game 14–14 and the fourth-quarter kick that brought Batesville within seven.