Batesville edges Paragould 24-16 behind late defensive stand

Batesville 24, Paragould 16

On homecoming night at Pioneer Stadium, Batesville edged Paragould 24-16 in a 5A East test, with steady defense and late execution carrying the Pioneers.

Batesville struck first on a short plunge by sophomore running back Caleb Murrah. Paragould answered: quarterback Avery Dearing lofted a 90‑yard strike to wideout Austin Burdin, and junior Zack Flowers powered in the two‑point run for an 8‑7 lead. The Pioneers reclaimed momentum in the second quarter when quarterback Cole Bentz hit junior receiver Jake Daugherty for a touchdown, and kicker Jackson Elam added a field goal for a 17‑8 halftime cushion.

After a scoreless third, the Rams surged. Quarterback Reid Phillips capped a determined march with a three‑yard keeper, then followed with the conversion to pull Paragould within 17‑16. An onside recovery gave the visitors another chance, but a red‑zone turnover halted the drive. Batesville answered with a time‑consuming push and Bentz sealed it on a late five‑yard keeper; Elam was true on the point‑after to restore an eight‑point margin.

Both sidelines featured standouts. For Batesville, Bentz balanced the attack with his arm and legs, Murrah churned out chain‑moving carries, Daugherty broke free downfield, and Elam’s leg loomed large. For Paragould, Dearing’s deep ball and Burdin’s speed flipped the field, Flowers contributed the conversion and key receptions, and sophomore linebacker Dillion Burgess delivered hard stops up front. Tight end/defensive end Thomas Henry also helped set the edge.

Batesville banked a valuable conference victory; Paragould heads home knowing the margin was razor‑thin in the 5A East.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Batesville – Caleb Murrah short run (Jackson Elam kick), Batesville 7-0.
1st Quarter Paragould – Austin Burdin 90‑yd pass from Avery Dearing (Zack Flowers run), Paragould 8-7. Paragould School District
2nd Quarter Batesville – Jake Daugherty pass from Cole Bentz (Jackson Elam kick), Batesville 14-8. MaxPreps.com
2nd Quarter Batesville – Jackson Elam field goal, Batesville 17-8. Paragould School District
3rd Quarter No scoring.
4th Quarter Paragould – Reid Phillips 3‑yd run (Phillips run), Batesville 17-16. Paragould School District
4th Quarter Batesville – Cole Bentz 5‑yd run (Elam kick), Batesville 24-16. SI

Standouts

• Cole Bentz (Sr., QB, Batesville) — TD pass and late rushing score. Hudl

• Jackson Elam (Sr., K, Batesville) — field goal; perfect on PATs. Hudl

• Caleb Murrah (So., RB, Batesville) — short TD; steady chains. MaxPreps.com

• Reid Phillips (Sr., QB/DB, Paragould) — TD and 2‑pt rush. 5 Star Assets

• Austin Burdin (Sr., WR/DB, Paragould) — 90‑yd TD reception.