Ballard’s four first-quarter touchdowns power Pocahontas past Westside

Pocahontas 35, Jonesboro Westside 8

POCAHONTAS — Xayver Ballard ran for four touchdowns in the first quarter as Pocahontas built a 35-point lead and defeated Jonesboro Westside 35-8 Friday night on homecoming.

Ballard carried six times for 112 yards in the opening period, scoring on runs of 39, four, six and 40 yards. Ryder Baltz added a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter, and Jaxon McDonald kicked all five extra points.

The Redskins improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in 4A-3 play. Westside fell to 2-3 and 0-2.

Pocahontas did not score on its opening possession. Westside stopped the Redskins on fourth down and took over at the Pocahontas 25, but the home defense kept that early field-position opportunity from becoming points. The Redskins blocked a 41-yard field-goal attempt and began the possession that produced Ballard’s first touchdown.

Spencer James helped move the offense through the air. Ace Brooks held onto an 18-yard completion for a first down and added another first-down reception along the sideline. From the Westside 39, Ballard found a hole, angled toward the sideline and dragged the final defender into the end zone with 6:13 remaining.

Pocahontas’ defensive front, including Levi Hufstedler and Elijah Converso, continued to close Westside’s running lanes. A short punt gave the Redskins possession at the Warriors’ 27, and Ballard finished that drive with a four-yard run with 3:55 left for a 14-0 lead.

Brooks then intercepted a pass and returned it to the Westside 6. Ballard needed one play to score his third touchdown, taking the handoff up the middle with 2:49 remaining.

The next Westside possession ended with Parker Radcliff recovering a fumble. A penalty pushed Pocahontas backward, but Ballard broke through the line again and reached the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown with 1:36 left.

Peyton Radcliff recovered another fumble to create the next short field. Baltz carried the ball near the goal line, and a subsequent penalty backed Pocahontas to the 12. He took the next handoff, worked through the defense and scored to complete the 35-point quarter.

Westside put together a second-quarter drive inside the Pocahontas 20, but Brooks stopped a fake field-goal attempt with 6:16 remaining. McDonald later broke a 44-yard run, helping the Redskins control possession before halftime.

The Warriors ended the shutout with a third-quarter touchdown and a two-point run by Trey Williams. Pocahontas protected its lead through the remainder of the game, with McDonald contributing two effective second-half punts. His final punt was downed at the Westside 1 with 4:23 remaining.

Pocahontas’ broadcast selected Hufstedler as its defensive player of the game for his work in the middle of the line. McDonald earned its offensive award after contributing as a runner, kicker and punter.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Pocahontas — Xayver Ballard 39-yard run (Jaxon McDonald kick), Pocahontas 7, Jonesboro Westside 0. 6:13.

Pocahontas — Xayver Ballard four-yard run (McDonald kick), Pocahontas 14, Jonesboro Westside 0. 3:55.

Pocahontas — Xayver Ballard six-yard run (McDonald kick), Pocahontas 21, Jonesboro Westside 0. 2:49.

Pocahontas — Xayver Ballard 40-yard run (McDonald kick), Pocahontas 28, Jonesboro Westside 0. 1:36.

Pocahontas — Ryder Baltz 12-yard run (McDonald kick), Pocahontas 35, Jonesboro Westside 0. 0:12.

Players Who Stood Out

Xayver Ballard, Pocahontas — Six first-quarter carries for 112 yards and four touchdowns, including scores of 39 and 40 yards.

Ace Brooks, Pocahontas — Caught two first-down passes on the first touchdown drive, intercepted a pass to set up a six-yard scoring drive and stopped a second-quarter fake field goal.

Jaxon McDonald, Pocahontas — Five extra points, a 44-yard second-quarter run and a fourth-quarter punt downed at the Westside 1. Named the broadcast’s offensive player of the game.

Ryder Baltz, Pocahontas — Scored on a 12-yard first-quarter run after helping move the ball near the goal line earlier in the possession.

Parker Radcliff and Peyton Radcliff, Pocahontas — Each recovered a first-quarter fumble, setting up the Redskins’ fourth and fifth touchdowns.

Levi Hufstedler, Pocahontas — Helped shut down the middle of Westside’s rushing attack; selected as the broadcast’s defensive player of the game.

Lane Thielemier, Pocahontas — Credited by the broadcast with five first-half tackles.

Trey Williams, Jonesboro Westside — Ran for the two-point conversion following the Warriors’ third-quarter touchdown.