Barksdale’s Five Touchdown Passes Lead Sheridan Past Southwest
Sheridan 48, Little Rock Southwest 0
LITTLE ROCK — Easton Barksdale completed 13 of 16 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns as Sheridan defeated Little Rock Southwest 48-0 Friday. The Yellow Jackets improved to 2-0.
Mason Morris contributed an interception, a fumble recovery and a rushing touchdown. Zay Stephens finished with 125 rushing yards on eight carries and three catches for 67 yards.
Barksdale opened the scoring with a screen pass to Dylan Smith with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter. Hunter Socia and Walker Shields supplied downfield blocks.
Shields caught Barksdale’s next touchdown pass with 5:49 left, completing an 86-yard drive. Stephens took the direct snap and handed to Barksdale before the throw, giving Sheridan a 14-0 lead.
Southwest sustained its next possession into the second quarter before Sheridan stopped a fourth-and-3 keeper with 10:20 remaining.
The Yellow Jackets answered in four plays. Barksdale threw to Shields, who lateraled to offensive tackle Eythan Cowden for a touchdown with 9:13 left. The extra point missed, leaving Sheridan ahead 20-0.
Morris intercepted a third-down pass on Southwest’s next possession. Wylie DePriest’s reception at the 15 set up Stephens’ touchdown run, extending the lead to 27-0.
Smith’s second touchdown, a diving 20-yard reception, gave Sheridan a 34-0 halftime lead.
Morris recovered a fumble on Southwest’s second play after halftime. Barksdale found Socia for a touchdown on the next snap, and Enzo Miranda’s kick made it 41-0.
Southwest stopped Sheridan on fourth-and-28 later in the third quarter and recorded a sack during the fourth.
Morris completed a 24-yard pass to McCurry Meyer during Sheridan’s final touchdown drive, which covered 82 yards. Morris finished with a scoring scramble, and the extra point made it 48-0 with 3:23 remaining.
Smith finished with two catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Socia added three receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Sheridan – Dylan Smith screen pass from Easton Barksdale (kick good), 10:17, Sheridan 7-0.
Sheridan – Walker Shields touchdown pass from Easton Barksdale following a direct-snap handoff from Zay Stephens (kick good), 5:49, Sheridan 14-0.
2nd Quarter
Sheridan – Eythan Cowden touchdown on a lateral from Walker Shields following an Easton Barksdale completion (kick failed), 9:13, Sheridan 20-0.
Sheridan – Zay Stephens 15-yard run (kick good), Sheridan 27-0.
Sheridan – Dylan Smith 20-yard pass from Easton Barksdale (Enzo Miranda kick), Sheridan 34-0.
3rd Quarter
Sheridan – Hunter Socia touchdown pass from Easton Barksdale (Enzo Miranda kick), 11:25, Sheridan 41-0.
4th Quarter
Sheridan – Mason Morris 24-yard run (kick good), Sheridan 48-0.
Players Who Stood Out
Easton Barksdale, Sheridan quarterback: 13-of-16 passing for 286 yards and five touchdowns. Threw two touchdown passes to Smith, one each to Shields and Socia, and the completion that began Cowden’s hook-and-lateral touchdown.
Mason Morris, Sheridan quarterback/cornerback: One interception, one fumble recovery and one rushing touchdown; 66 passing yards. Both takeaways led to touchdowns. Finished Sheridan’s final scoring drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.
Zay Stephens, Sheridan running back: Eight carries for 125 yards and one touchdown; three catches for 67 yards. His 15-yard touchdown run followed Morris’ second-quarter interception.
Dylan Smith, Sheridan receiver: Two catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Scored on the opening possession and made a diving 20-yard touchdown catch before halftime.
Eythan Cowden, Sheridan offensive tackle/defensive end: One touchdown; two tackles, including one for loss.Scored after taking Shields’ lateral and delivered a pancake block on Smith’s second touchdown reception.