Elam’s Walk-Off Field Goal Lifts Batesville Past Brookland

Batesville 24, Brookland 21

BROOKLAND — Jackson Elam drilled a walk-off field goal as time expired, lifting Batesville past Brookland 24-21 in a pivotal 5A East matchup Friday night.

Senior quarterback Cole Bentz accounted for three touchdowns, scoring on runs of two and 17 yards and later finding junior WR/DB Xavier Pierce for a 99-yard strike that tied it with 1:47 remaining. Bentz steered a balanced attack built on quick perimeter throws and designed keepers. Pierce supplied the explosive finish on the tying play and contributed on special teams.

Brookland answered throughout behind senior WR/DB Gabe Carter, who took most of the snaps and rushed for a touchdown while also firing a 26-yard scoring pass to junior QB/DB Layton Byler for a 21-14 lead late in the third. Sophomore RB Elijah Hammon added a 13-yard TD, and senior RB Mark Taylor Jr. ground out chain-moving yards. Senior DB/K Dot Aloh intercepted a pass and converted three PATs. (Brookland totals unofficial.) Carter ran for 120 and a score; Hammon added 111 and Taylor 77 as Brookland amassed 300-plus rushing yards, per totals, and, after a punt, pinned Batesville at the 1 before Pierce’s 99-yard equalizer.

Both defenses delivered timely stops. Brookland forced two punts and an interception in the third quarter, but Batesville’s front halted a late red-zone drive to set up the winning kick by Elam.

Scoring swings dominated a fourth quarter that started with Brookland ahead by seven before Pierce’s long TD and Elam’s winner sealed it for the Pioneers.

Scoring Summary

2nd Quarter
Batesville – Cole Bentz 2-yd run (Jackson Elam kick), Batesville 7–0.
Brookland – Elijah Hammon 13-yd run (Dot Aloh kick), 7–7.

3rd Quarter
Brookland – Gabe Carter 3-yd run (Aloh kick), Brookland 14–7.
Batesville – Bentz 17-yd run (Elam kick), 14–14.
Brookland – Layton Byler 26-yd pass from Carter (Aloh kick), Brookland 21–14.

4th Quarter
Batesville – Pierce 99-yd pass from Bentz (Elam kick), 21–21.
Batesville – Elam field goal as time expired, Batesville 24–21.

Players Who Stood Out

• Cole Bentz (Batesville, QB, Sr.) — 2 rushing TDs; 99-yd TD pass.

• Xavier Pierce (Batesville, WR/DB, Jr.) — 99-yd TD reception.

• Jackson Elam (Batesville, K/P, Sr.) — game-winning FG; 3 PATs.

• Gabe Carter (Brookland, WR/DB, Sr.) — rushing TD; 26-yd TD pass.

• Elijah Hammon (Brookland, RB, So.) — 111 rush yards; 13-yd TD (unofficial).