Dean, Hopson help Nashville turn halftime deficit into win at Ashdown

Nashville 35, Ashdown 13

October 16, 2026 | Hooten’s Arkansas Football

ASHDOWN — Bo Dean returned an interception for a touchdown, and Jacoby Hopson scored twice in the second half as Nashville overcame a halftime deficit to beat Ashdown 35-13 Friday night.

The Scrappers trailed 7-6 at halftime and still were behind after fumbling near the Ashdown goal line in the third quarter. A safety changed the lead, and Nashville followed with 4 touchdowns before the Panthers scored again. The Scrappers remained unbeaten in 4A-7 play.

Ashdown had turned back Nashville’s attempt to take the lead just before halftime. Facing fourth-and-goal from near the 2-yard line, Nashville loaded the right side of its formation, but backside pressure brought Hopson down with 9 seconds remaining. The Panthers went to the locker room ahead by a point.

Nashville’s next promising possession also ended without points. Hopson broke a long run, and the Scrappers reached the goal line before a mishandled exchange between Hopson and DJ Jefferson resulted in a fumble. Ashdown recovered and took over at its 5 with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

The Nashville defense kept that mistake from becoming a lengthy change of possession. DeShawn Hawkins and Aiden Bradley stopped Shooter Johnson short of the first down on a third-down scramble. The ensuing punt snap sailed over the punter’s head and out of the end zone, putting Nashville ahead 8-7 with 4:33 remaining in the period.

Gauge Applegate returned the free kick near midfield. Hopson’s run down the right side moved Nashville into scoring range, and Jefferson finished the possession with a third-down touchdown pass. He rolled right, pulled the defense in that direction and threw back left to Hopson, who worked into the end zone. The missed extra point left Nashville ahead 14-7.

Dean then stepped in front of Johnson’s quick pass and returned the interception about 35 yards for a touchdown. The extra point extended the advantage to 21-7 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.

Trendon Northcross intercepted a deep pass early in the fourth quarter to end another Ashdown possession. Bryce Perrin moved Nashville downfield with consecutive productive runs, and Jefferson finished the drive by pulling the ball away from Hopson and keeping around the left side. He made defenders miss on his way to the end zone, helping extend the lead to 28-7 with 7:47 remaining.

Hopson added Nashville’s final touchdown after taking a direct snap on the preceding play and running inside the 5. Jefferson returned to quarterback, handed to Hopson and watched him score over the right side.

Perrin had opened the scoring with a short first-quarter run, aided by an offensive-line push at the goal line. A mishandled extra-point snap kept the score 6-0. Ashdown answered on Johnson’s deep touchdown pass to Bryson French with 7:27 left in the second quarter. Logan Erwin threw a late touchdown pass to Cale Cleghorn with 44 seconds remaining in the game; Dean broke up the 2-point conversion pass.

Scoring summary

First quarter Nashville — Bryce Perrin short run (conversion failed). Nashville 6, Ashdown 0.

Second quarter • 7:27 Ashdown — Bryson French pass from Shooter Johnson (kick good). Ashdown 7, Nashville 6.

Third quarter Nashville — Jacoby Hopson pass from DJ Jefferson (kick failed). Nashville 14, Ashdown 7.

Third quarter • 1:11 Nashville — Bo Dean interception return, approximately 35 yards (kick good). Nashville 21, Ashdown 7.

Fourth quarter • 7:47 Nashville — DJ Jefferson run (kick good). Nashville 28, Ashdown 7.

Fourth quarter Nashville — Jacoby Hopson short run (kick good). Nashville 35, Ashdown 7.

Fourth quarter • 0:44 Ashdown — Cale Cleghorn pass from Logan Erwin (pass failed). Nashville 35, Ashdown 13.

Players who stood out

Jacoby Hopson, Nashville — Receiving touchdown in the third quarter and rushing touchdown in the fourth; a direct-snap run inside the 5 set up his second score.

Bo Dean, Nashville — Approximately 35-yard interception-return touchdown with 1:11 left in the third quarter; broke up Ashdown’s final 2-point conversion pass.

DJ Jefferson, Nashville — Threw the third-quarter touchdown to Hopson and scored on a fourth-quarter keeper around the left side.

Bryce Perrin, Nashville — Scored the opening touchdown and contributed consecutive first-down runs to the fourth-quarter drive that ended with Jefferson’s touchdown.

Trendon Northcross, Nashville — Fourth-quarter interception ended an Ashdown possession and set up Nashville’s drive to a 28-7 lead.

Bryson French, Ashdown — Caught Shooter Johnson’s deep touchdown pass that put Ashdown ahead 7-6 in the second quarter.

Cale Cleghorn, Ashdown — Caught Logan Erwin’s touchdown pass with 44 seconds remaining.