Barksdale Throws Six Touchdowns as Sheridan Keeps Highway 270 Trophy
Sheridan 70, White Hall 16
SHERIDAN — Junior quarterback Easton Barksdale threw six touchdown passes as Sheridan retained the Highway 270 trophy with a 70-16 season-opening victory over White Hall on Friday at Yellowjacket Stadium.
Barksdale completed 23 of 36 passes for 399 yards while connecting with eight receivers. Five Yellowjackets caught touchdown passes.
Sheridan scored on its opening possession when senior running back Zay Stephens broke tackles on a 7-yard touchdown run. Barksdale then found Hunter Socia for a score and a 14-0 advantage.
White Hall answered when sophomore running back Caleb Bunch burst through the middle for a 48-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs trimmed the margin to 14-7, but Sheridan responded with 22 consecutive points. Barksdale threw touchdowns to Parker Mullins and Dylan Smith, while Stephens added his second scoring run.
Stephens finished with 120 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Smith caught five passes for 118 yards and one score, while Socia made five receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Barksdale added second-quarter touchdown passes to Walker Shields, Wylie DePriest and Socia, helping Sheridan build a 56-9 halftime lead. White Hall defensive back Kaleb Meadors intercepted Barksdale, and Kory Hope recorded a safety for the Bulldogs.
Sophomore quarterback Mason Morris completed 6 of 8 passes after halftime, throwing touchdowns to Lawson Hammond and John Scates. Sheridan’s defense forced six punts, stopped White Hall twice on fourth down and collected three interceptions.
White Hall completed the scoring when quarterback Carson Reece connected with Meadors for a 70-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.
The victory was Sheridan’s third consecutive win in the rivalry under Coach Kevin Kelley.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Sheridan – Zay Stephens 7-yard touchdown run (conversion failed), 6-0
Sheridan – Easton Barksdale touchdown pass to Hunter Socia (Wylie DePriest pass from Barksdale), 14-0
White Hall – Caleb Bunch 48-yard touchdown run (kick good), 14-7
Sheridan – Barksdale touchdown pass to Parker Mullins (Stephens run), 22-7
Sheridan – Stephens touchdown run (kick good), 29-7
Sheridan – Barksdale 49-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Smith (kick good), 36-7
2nd Quarter
Sheridan – Barksdale touchdown pass to Walker Shields (kick good), 43-7
Sheridan – Barksdale touchdown pass to Wylie DePriest (kick failed), 49-7
White Hall – Kory Hope tackles John Scates in the end zone for a safety, 49-9
Sheridan – Barksdale touchdown pass to Socia (kick good), 56-9
3rd Quarter
Sheridan – Mason Morris touchdown pass to Lawson Hammond (kick good), 63-9
4th Quarter
Sheridan – Morris touchdown pass to Scates (kick good), 70-9
White Hall – Carson Reece 70-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Meadors (kick good), 70-16
Players of the Game
- Easton Barksdale, Sheridan QB — Completed 23 of 36 passes for 399 yards and six touchdowns.
- Zay Stephens, Sheridan RB — Rushed eight times for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
- Hunter Socia, Sheridan WR — Caught five passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
- Kaleb Meadors, White Hall WR/FS — Returned an interception and caught a 70-yard touchdown pass.
- Caleb Bunch, White Hall RB — Broke a 48-yard touchdown run and provided the Bulldogs’ first score.