Blytheville 22, Nettleton 20

Blytheville 22, Nettleton 20

Blytheville edged Nettleton 22–20 in a tight, physical game, winning the big‑play and special‑teams moments that decided it. After Nettleton seized a 7–0 lead on a 30‑yard burst from running back Xavier Harrell, Blytheville answered with two long scoring runs by running back Courtney Rogers—21 yards early in the second quarter and a 72‑yard sprint later in the frame—to flip momentum. Kicker Yahyr Gonzalez added a 25‑yard field goal as Blytheville built a 16–7 halftime lead, and quarterback Chad Bell extended the margin late in the third with a 35‑yard strike to wideout Trevon Lewis.

Still, the Raiders kept swinging. Quarterback Marcus Jefferson threaded a 9‑yard touchdown to tight end Tyler Colewith :13 left in the second. In the fourth, running back Marre Harrell powered in from the 2 to pull Nettleton within two. Middle linebacker Damin Coleman anchored a late defensive stand, and the secondary set the tone early with first‑quarter interceptions by free safety Desmond Copeland and cornerback Kielyn Hendrix. Nettleton also blocked a point‑after to keep it a one‑score game.

Blytheville’s defense closed the door on the final series, rallying to the football and denying the last drive as the clock ran out. Both sides showcased playmakers—Rogers’ power, Bell’s poise, and Raider explosiveness on the perimeter—hinting at more November‑ready football in the 5A East. On a night when field position mattered, the Chickasaws’ long touchdown runs and Gonzalez’s leg proved decisive, while Nettleton’s resilience kept the outcome in doubt until the final horn for both teams.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
9:08 Nettleton – Xavier Harrell 30 run (kick good), Nettleton 7–0.
2nd Quarter
11:46 Blytheville – Courtney Rogers 21 run (Yahyr Gonzalez kick), 7–7.
4:25 Blytheville – Courtney Rogers 72 run (kick failed), Blytheville 13–7.
1:04 Blytheville – Yahyr Gonzalez 25 FG, Blytheville 16–7.
0:13 Nettleton – Tyler Cole 9 pass from Marcus Jefferson (kick blocked), Blytheville 16–13.
3rd Quarter
1:18 Blytheville – Trevon Lewis 35 pass from Chad Bell (kick failed), Blytheville 22–13.
4th Quarter
10:26 Nettleton – Marre Harrell 2 run (kick good), Blytheville 22–20.

Players who stood out

• Courtney Rogers, RB, Blytheville — TD runs of 21 and 72 yards

• Chad Bell, QB, Blytheville — 35‑yard TD pass in the third

• Trevon Lewis, WR, Blytheville — 35‑yard TD reception

• Xavier Harrell, RB, Nettleton — 30‑yard TD run to open scoring

• Damin Coleman, MLB, Nettleton — Multiple second‑half stops/TFLs