Goodman and Collins power Des Arc past Cross County
Des Arc 44, Cross County 14
October 9, 2026
CHERRY VALLEY — Hudson Goodman and Jamie Collins each ran for two touchdowns, and Des Arc turned two second-quarter fumbles into quick scores in a 44-14 victory over Cross County on Friday night at Thunderbird Stadium.
The Eagles built a 36-0 halftime lead and scored on their opening possession of the second half before the Thunderbirds answered with two late touchdowns. Des Arc improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the 2-2A, while Cross County fell to 3-3 and 0-3.
Cross County moved into Des Arc territory on the game’s first possession, getting productive carries from Caden Finley and Ryan Lamb. But the Eagles broke up a fourth-down pass near their 30, ending the threat and beginning the drive that gave them control.
Des Arc mixed its runners on that possession and converted fourth-and-one with a quarterback keeper. Collins then broke through the middle for a 46-yard touchdown with 2:33 remaining in the first quarter. CJ Wilhite ran for the two-point conversion, giving the Eagles an 8-0 lead.
Goodman widened the gap early in the second quarter. After a Wilhite run moved the ball into Cross County territory, Goodman escaped for a 39-yard touchdown with 10:40 left in the half. Alex Sinclair broke up the conversion pass, but Des Arc had begun a quarter in which it would score 28 points.
The Eagles recovered a fumble on the next Cross County possession and needed only one play to cash it in. Brayden Knupp caught a 34-yard touchdown pass with 9:48 remaining, and Goodman ran for two more points to make it 22-0.
Cross County lost another fumble on its next possession, and Des Arc returned this one directly to the end zone. A successful two-point conversion pushed the lead to 30-0 with 8:47 left in the half. The two turnovers had produced 16 points in just over a minute.
The Thunderbirds briefly held at the goal line late in the half, stopping Wilhite at the 1. Goodman finished the possession with a one-yard touchdown run, however, and Des Arc took a 36-0 advantage into the break.
The halftime statistics reflected the Eagles’ balanced rushing attack. Goodman had 59 yards, Collins 58, and Wilhite and Luke McIntosh had 45 apiece. The broadcast credited Des Arc with 207 rushing yards and a 251-30 advantage in total offense through two quarters.
Collins kept the offense moving when play resumed, converting a third down with a tackle-breaking run before adding his second touchdown. The two-point conversion made it 44-0 in the third quarter.
Ayden Kraft put Cross County on the board with a 35-yard touchdown run later in the quarter. The Thunderbirds added a fourth-quarter touchdown when Noah Carnell turned a pass into a 60-yard score, then converted for two to complete the scoring.
Des Arc travels to East Poinsett County on Oct. 16. Cross County visits Marianna.
Scoring summary
Q1 2:33 — Des Arc — Jamie Collins 46-yard run (CJ Wilhite run). Des Arc 8, Cross County 0.
Q2 10:40 — Des Arc — Hudson Goodman 39-yard run (pass failed). Des Arc 14, Cross County 0.
Q2 9:48 — Des Arc — Brayden Knupp 34-yard reception (Hudson Goodman run). Des Arc 22, Cross County 0.
Q2 0:25 — Des Arc — Hudson Goodman one-yard run (run failed). Des Arc 36, Cross County 0.
Q3 — Des Arc — Jamie Collins touchdown run (two-point conversion good). Des Arc 44, Cross County 0.
Q3 — Cross County — Ayden Kraft 35-yard run (two-point attempt failed). Des Arc 44, Cross County 6.
Q4 — Cross County — Noah Carnell 60-yard reception (two-point conversion good). Des Arc 44, Cross County 14.
Players who stood out
Hudson Goodman, Des Arc, quarterback — Two rushing touchdowns, including a 39-yarder; added a two-point run. Had 59 rushing yards on six carries at halftime, according to the broadcast.
Jamie Collins, Des Arc, running back — Two rushing touchdowns, including the opening 46-yarder; repeatedly moved the chains on the first possession after halftime.
Brayden Knupp, Des Arc, receiver — Caught a 34-yard touchdown pass one play after an Eagles fumble recovery.
CJ Wilhite and Luke McIntosh, Des Arc, running backs — Each had 45 rushing yards on four carries at halftime, according to the broadcast; Wilhite also ran for the first two-point conversion.
Ayden Kraft, Cross County — Scored on a 35-yard third-quarter run.
Noah Carnell, Cross County — Caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass covering 60 yards.