Wynne 28, Valley View 14: Crawford’s four touchdowns keep Yellowjackets unbeaten in 5A East

Wynne 28, Valley View 14

October 9 2026

Caden Crawford scored all four Wynne touchdowns, including the clincher with 43 seconds remaining, as the Yellowjackets defeated Valley View 28-14 Friday night at Central Dealership Stadium.

Wynne improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the 5A East, turning an early third-quarter special-teams break into a two-touchdown lead and answering Valley View’s late challenge with defensive takeaways and sustained rushing. Rowan Sanders scored both Blazers touchdowns in his first varsity start, according to the broadcast.

Ashton McDaniel helped establish the tone on Wynne’s opening possession. Facing third-and-10 from Valley View’s 46, the quarterback escaped pressure, worked along the sideline and carried the ball to the 16. Crawford finished the drive on the next play, following an off-tackle counter into the end zone with 9:50 left in the first quarter. Auggie Smith’s extra point made it 7-0.

Valley View answered after a fourth-down pass-interference penalty extended its possession. Sanders took Quinn Gartman’s handoff on a split-zone play and scored from 21 yards with 4:11 remaining in the quarter. Trent Dunham added the tying extra point.

The Yellowjackets regained the lead before the quarter ended. McDaniel rolled left and ran from the 12 to the 2, and Crawford followed with a short touchdown run. Smith’s kick put Wynne ahead 14-7 with 36 seconds remaining. Neither team scored in the second quarter, leaving the Blazers within one possession at halftime.

The second half began with a costly Valley View special-teams mistake. Wynne came away with its short kickoff at the Blazers’ 21, and Crawford carried the ball repeatedly into scoring position before getting outside for his third touchdown. Smith’s extra point extended the advantage to 21-7.

Valley View’s defense kept the game within reach through additional short-field possessions. Late in the third quarter, Gartman converted third-and-long with a completion to Justin Saare and then connected with Eli Berry. Sanders broke a substantial run into the red zone, and another pass-interference penalty moved the Blazers closer. Sanders finished the drive with a touchdown run at the 24-second mark. Dunham’s kick cut the deficit to 21-14.

The Blazers had opportunities to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but two interceptions ended their final serious threats. Ketcher Pattillo briefly returned possession to Valley View with an interception of his own before Wynne took the ball back with just over three minutes remaining.

McDaniel then helped move the Yellowjackets downfield with a series of keepers, escaping tackles and converting first downs. Crawford returned to the backfield for the final scoring run with 43 seconds left, and Smith supplied his fourth extra point.

Wynne hosts Batesville next Friday. Valley View, which fell to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, visits Brookland.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Wynne: Caden Crawford, 16-yard run, 9:50; Auggie Smith kick. Wynne 7–0

Valley View: Rowan Sanders, 21-yard run, 4:11; Trent Dunham kick. Tied 7–7

Wynne: Caden Crawford, 2-yard run, 0:36; Auggie Smith kick. Wynne 14–7

Third quarter

Wynne: Caden Crawford, rushing touchdown; extra point good. Wynne 21–7

Valley View: Rowan Sanders, rushing touchdown, 0:24; Trent Dunham kick. Wynne 21–14

Fourth quarter

Wynne: Caden Crawford, rushing touchdown, 0:43; Auggie Smith kick. Final 28–14

Players Who Stood Out

Caden Crawford, Wynne — Four rushing touchdowns, including a 16-yarder and a 2-yarder in the first quarter

Ashton McDaniel, Wynne — Third-and-10 scramble to set up the opening touchdown; productive keepers on the clinching drive

Auggie Smith, Wynne — Four extra points

Makel Ward, Wynne — First-quarter sack

Rowan Sanders, Valley View — Two rushing touchdowns in his first varsity start, including a 21-yarder

Quinn Gartman, Valley View — Third-and-long completion to Justin Saare on the second touchdown drive

Trent Dunham, Valley View — Two extra points

Ketcher Pattillo, Valley View — Fourth-quarter interception

Blaine Stockard, Valley View — Second-quarter sack and another tackle for loss on the next play