Dardanelle 26, Clinton 24

Dardanelle 26, Clinton 24

DARDANELLE — Senior quarterback Creed Vega muscled in three rushing touchdowns, and Kentrell Diggsdelivered the decisive special-teams play as Dardanelle edged Clinton, 26–24, in a 4A showdown Friday night. With Clinton lining up a potential go‑ahead 42‑yard field goal with 1:16 remaining, Diggs knifed through to block the kick, and the Sand Lizards bled the clock with kneel-downs to finish it off. The win caps a back‑and‑forth night that featured timely defense and a handful of explosive plays from both teams.

Dardanelle blended Vega’s downhill keepers with misdirection and perimeter throws. The hosts struck first on Vega’s fourth‑and‑goal plunge, later added a 60‑yard halfback pass from RB Ian Branson to WR Jordan Earnest to set up a score, and leaned on K Jesus Garcia, who hit two field goals and two PATs. Receivers Bo Miller and Roderic Chaten Jr. moved the chains in key spots. Clinton answered repeatedly: FB Zack Gonzales banged in a 2‑yard TD, RB Rylan Jones powered to a 3‑yard score, and QB Brodie Dufrene dropped a 57‑yard strike to WR Sam Standridge to pull within two midway through the fourth. K Armando Infante added a halftime‑tying field goal and two PATs before the late attempt was turned away.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Dardanelle – Creed Vega 5‑yd run (Jesus Garcia kick), 7‑0.

2nd Quarter
Clinton – Zack Gonzales 2‑yd run (Armando Infante kick), 7‑7.
Dardanelle – Jesus Garcia FG, 10‑7.
Clinton – Armando Infante FG, 10‑10.

3rd Quarter
Dardanelle – Jesus Garcia FG, 13‑10.
Clinton – Rylan Jones 3‑yd run (Infante kick), 17‑13 Clinton.
Dardanelle – Vega 9‑yd run (Garcia kick), 20‑17 Dardanelle.

4th Quarter
Dardanelle – Vega 2‑yd run (kick failed), 26‑17.
Clinton – Sam Standridge 57‑yd pass from Brodie Dufrene (Infante kick), 26‑24.

Standouts

• Creed Vega, QB, Dardanelle — 3 rushing TDs, 100+ rush yds.

• Kentrell Diggs, DB, Dardanelle — Interception earlier; game‑saving blocked FG in final 1:16.

• Jordan Earnest, WR, Dardanelle — 60‑yd reception on trick play to set up a TD.

• Brodie Dufrene, QB, Clinton — 57‑yd TD pass; steady under pressure.

• Rylan Jones, RB, Clinton — Short‑yardage TD and heavy work between the tackles.