Born’s three touchdowns lift Elkins past Dardanelle for first 4A title

Published On: December 18, 2025Categories: Featured, High School, News

Elkins 31, Dardanelle 14

LITTLE ROCK — Elkins claimed its first state championship Sunday night, behind a defense that bottled up Dardanelle and the legs of Austin Born in a 31-14 Class 4A final at War Memorial Stadium, with 7,600 on hand.

Elkins set the tone early when Josh Hamm intercepted Creed Vega. Ben Napier cashed in a few plays later, floating a deflected pass that Isaiah Haywood secured for the first touchdown. Born, the junior quarterback, powered in from 7 yards out late in the first quarter and again from the 1 early in the second. Napier then found S.R. Williams for a two-point conversion, sending the Elks to halftime up 21-0 while forcing two Sand Lizard turnovers, including a Jeb Slaughter fumble recovery.

Dardanelle, making its first title appearance, answered after the break. Vega (QB/RB) ripped off a string of runs and finished a 10-play march with a 1-yard touchdown to cut it to 21-7. Early in the fourth, Vega found Bo Miller on an 11-yard corner route to make it a one-score game, and receiver/free safety Roderic Chaten Jr. played through a cast to help keep the rally alive.

Elkins steadied itself immediately. Born slipped around the left edge for a 51-yard touchdown run, and kicker Dawson Mallis added a late field goal to close the door.

Born finished with three rushing touchdowns and about 100 yards rushing. Connor Hamm added 107 yards on 23 carries, Haywood had 102 receiving yards, and Napier threw for 159 as Elkins totaled 410 yards.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Elkins – Isaiah Haywood TD reception on deflected pass (Dawson Mallis kick), Elkins 7, Dardanelle 0
1st Quarter Elkins – Austin Born 7-yard TD run (kick blocked), Elkins 13, Dardanelle 0

2nd Quarter Elkins – Austin Born 1-yard TD run (2-point pass: Ben Napier to S.R. Williams), Elkins 21, Dardanelle 0

3rd Quarter Dardanelle – Creed Vega 1-yard TD run (Jesus Garcia kick), Elkins 21, Dardanelle 7

4th Quarter Dardanelle – Bo Miller 11-yard TD reception from Creed Vega (Garcia kick), Elkins 21, Dardanelle 14
4th Quarter Elkins – Austin Born 51-yard TD run (Mallis kick), Elkins 28, Dardanelle 14
4th Quarter Elkins – Dawson Mallis field goal (kick), Elkins 31, Dardanelle 14