Cox’s pick-six, Ross’ 2 TD passes lift DeWitt past Watson Chapel

DeWitt 26, Watson Chapel 14

October 16, 2026 | Hooten’s Arkansas Football

PINE BLUFF — Xa Cox returned an interception for a touchdown, and Rodney Ross threw 2 touchdown passes as DeWitt earned its first conference victory, beating Watson Chapel 26-14 Friday night.

The Dragons scored 18 points in the second quarter and preserved their lead with a fourth-quarter touchdown catch by Marshaun Bowers. DeWitt improved to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Watson Chapel fell to 0-7 and 0-4.

DeWitt entered the second quarter at the Watson Chapel 1 but lost yardage on consecutive plays. Ross rescued the possession with a third-down touchdown pass to Rae Frye with 10:48 remaining in the half. The missed extra point left the Dragons ahead 6-0.

The ensuing kickoff created another immediate opportunity. Watson Chapel’s returner waited for the ball to roll out of bounds, but it stayed in play and DeWitt recovered. The Dragons took over at the Wildcats’ 20, then overcame a holding penalty. On fourth-and-20, Ross found Frye, who caught the pass and powered beyond the first-down marker. Kaiden Golden finished with a 3-yard touchdown run at the 9:19 mark. The 2-point pass was incomplete.

Watson Chapel threatened to answer, but DeWitt forced an incompletion on fourth-and-goal from the 17. The Dragons then were forced to punt from their end zone, giving the Wildcats the ball at the DeWitt 35. Cox ended that threat by intercepting a pass over the middle, cutting through the return and reaching the opposite end zone. His touchdown made it 18-0 with 1:19 left in the half. Golden’s 2-point run was stopped short.

Watson Chapel cut into the lead in the third quarter after stopping DeWitt on downs. Trayvon Mays took a handoff from the Wildcats’ 27, cut back and raced through the middle for a 73-yard touchdown. A successful 2-point run made it 18-8 with 8:02 remaining in the period.

DeWitt restored its cushion early in the fourth. Ross rolled left and threw to Bowers near the pylon, where the receiver got his toes down for a 9-yard touchdown with 11:36 remaining. Golden ran in the 2-point conversion for a 26-8 lead.

Cruz Miller intercepted a deep pass on Watson Chapel’s next possession. Weston Lay later recorded a sack, but the Wildcats answered with a long touchdown pass and trailed 26-14 with 4:26 left. Their 2-point pass was incomplete. Watson Chapel appeared to recover the ensuing onside kick, but a penalty negated the recovery and DeWitt retained possession.

Frye’s third-down reception kept the final possession moving, and Lay added a first-down run. DeWitt ran out the remaining time without giving Watson Chapel another possession.

Scoring summary

Second quarter • 10:48 DeWitt — Rae Frye pass from Rodney Ross (kick failed). DeWitt 6, Watson Chapel 0.

Second quarter • 9:19 DeWitt — Kaiden Golden 3-yard run (pass failed). DeWitt 12, Watson Chapel 0.

Second quarter • 1:19 DeWitt — Xa Cox interception return (run failed). DeWitt 18, Watson Chapel 0.

Third quarter • 8:02 Watson Chapel — Trayvon Mays 73-yard run (run good). DeWitt 18, Watson Chapel 8.

Fourth quarter • 11:36 DeWitt — Marshaun Bowers 9-yard pass from Rodney Ross (Kaiden Golden run). DeWitt 26, Watson Chapel 8.

Players who stood out

Rodney Ross, DeWitt — 2 touchdown passes, to Rae Frye and Marshaun Bowers; fourth-and-20 completion to Frye set up Golden’s touchdown.

Xa Cox, DeWitt — Interception-return touchdown with 1:19 left in the first half gave DeWitt an 18-0 lead.

Rae Frye, DeWitt — Caught the opening touchdown pass, converted fourth-and-20 on the next scoring possession and caught a third-down pass during the final clock-consuming drive.

Kaiden Golden, DeWitt — 3-yard touchdown run and fourth-quarter 2-point conversion run.

Marshaun Bowers, DeWitt — Toe-tap 9-yard touchdown reception with 11:36 remaining restored an 18-point lead.

Cruz Miller, DeWitt — Fourth-quarter interception ended a Watson Chapel possession after DeWitt went ahead 26-8.

Weston Lay, DeWitt — Fourth-quarter sack and first-down run on the final possession.

Trayvon Mays, Watson Chapel — 73-yard touchdown run with 8:02 remaining in the third quarter.