Hall scores five first-half touchdowns as Stuttgart rolls past Crossett

Stuttgart 35, Crossett 6

STUTTGART — Tayquan Hall rushed for five first-half touchdowns as Stuttgart built a 35-point halftime lead and defeated Crossett 35-6 Friday night in its homecoming game.

Hall scored on runs of 11, 11, 51, eight and one yards. The broadcast’s unofficial halftime statistics credited him with 112 yards on 12 carries and Stuttgart with a 240-2 advantage in total offense. The Ricebirds improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in 8-4A play. Crossett fell to 2-3 and 1-1.

Bradley Benton started at quarterback and immediately pushed the ball downfield. He found Jordan Minor for a 40-yard gain on the game’s first offensive play, then converted fourth-and-eight with an 11-yard completion to Montavius Brooks. Hall finished the possession with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Parker Ellis’ kick made it 7-0 with 9:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Caleb Anderson intercepted Cash Forrest on Crossett’s first possession. Stuttgart did not convert that takeaway into points, but its defense continued controlling field position. Knox Hillman broke up a pass intended for Ty’Juan Gibson, and Chandler Chambers chased Forrest down on third down to force a punt.

The Eagles stopped Stuttgart near their goal line later in the quarter. The Ricebirds responded by forcing another punt and taking over at the Crossett 24 shortly before the period ended. Hall opened the second quarter with a 13-yard run, then scored from 11 yards with 11:32 remaining. The extra point failed, leaving Stuttgart ahead 13-0.

Hall’s third touchdown came after Maddox Morgan stopped a Stuttgart sweep for a seven-yard loss. Facing second-and-17 from their own 49, the Ricebirds handed the ball to Hall, who broke into the open and raced 51 yards to score with 8:23 left. Benton found Beau Barnes for the two-point conversion and a 21-0 lead.

Stuttgart’s defensive front kept Crossett from answering. Antwon Berry, Trey Phillips and Barnes converged on Forrest for a third-down sack during the next Eagles possession. Benton then added rushing gains and a completion to Ky’marion Wiley on the ensuing drive. Hall scored his fourth touchdown from eight yards with 4:17 remaining, and Ellis’ kick made it 28-0.

The Ricebirds had time for one more score. Benton’s completion to Bray Minor moved the ball to the Crossett 5, and Stuttgart worked it inside the 1. Hall scored on fourth-and-goal with 12 seconds remaining. Ellis converted the extra point to establish the 35-0 halftime margin.

Benton completed eight of 15 passes for 94 yards and rushed for 34 yards in the first half, according to the broadcast. Jordan Minor supplied two receptions for 60 yards. Stuttgart used Braxton Kirkdoffer at quarterback after halftime while the running clock shortened the final two quarters.

Crossett broke up the shutout on its last possession. JT Barnett, who had intercepted a fourth-quarter pass, caught a 35-yard touchdown from Kaevon Scoby on fourth-and-14. The extra point went wide left, and the running clock expired without another snap.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall 11-yard touchdown run (Parker Ellis kick). Stuttgart 7, Crossett 0. 9:11.

2nd Quarter

Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall 11-yard touchdown run (kick unsuccessful). Stuttgart 13, Crossett 0. 11:32.

Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall 51-yard touchdown run (Beau Barnes two-point pass from Bradley Benton). Stuttgart 21, Crossett 0. 8:23.

Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall eight-yard touchdown run (Parker Ellis kick). Stuttgart 28, Crossett 0. 4:17.

Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall one-yard touchdown run (Parker Ellis kick). Stuttgart 35, Crossett 0. 0:12.

4th Quarter

Crossett — JT Barnett 35-yard touchdown pass from Kaevon Scoby (kick unsuccessful). Stuttgart 35, Crossett 6.

Players Who Stood Out

Tayquan Hall, Stuttgart — Five first-half rushing touchdowns, covering 11, 11, 51, eight and one yards. Broadcast halftime total: 12 carries, 112 yards.

Bradley Benton, Stuttgart — Directed all five first-half touchdown drives. Broadcast halftime totals: 8-of-15 passing for 94 yards and five carries for 34 yards. Completed the two-point pass to Beau Barnes.

Jordan Minor, Stuttgart — Two first-half catches for 60 yards, including a 40-yarder on the opening offensive snap, according to the broadcast.

Caleb Anderson, Stuttgart — Intercepted Cash Forrest on Crossett’s opening possession.

Chandler Chambers, Stuttgart — Chased down Forrest to force a first-quarter punt and stopped Scoby behind the line during Crossett’s final drive.

Quartreon Bennett, Stuttgart — Closed on a deep pass intended for Markell Paskel and knocked it away during the second quarter.

Beau Barnes, Stuttgart — Caught Benton’s two-point pass and joined Antwon Berry and Trey Phillips on a second-quarter sack.

JT Barnett, Crossett — Intercepted a fourth-quarter pass and caught a 35-yard touchdown from Kaevon Scoby on the Eagles’ final possession.

Maddox Morgan, Crossett — Stopped a second-quarter sweep for a seven-yard loss before Hall’s 51-yard touchdown run.