Forrest City pulls away from Pocahontas after halftime
Forrest City 34, Pocahontas 12
October 9 2026
FORREST CITY — Forrest City answered both Pocahontas touchdowns and scored the final 14 points Friday to secure a 34-12 homecoming victory in 3-4A play.
The Mustangs improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference, bouncing back from their first loss of the season against Gosnell. Pocahontas fell to 2-4 and 1-2 after cutting a 20-6 halftime deficit to eight points early in the third quarter.
Forrest City established control on its opening possession. A fourth-down completion kept the drive alive, and Jatavious Lewis finished it with a short touchdown reception. The extra point gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead. Lewis caught another pass to move Forrest City to the Pocahontas 13 on its next scoring drive, which ended with a touchdown and another successful kick with 21 seconds left in the first quarter.
Ryder Starr returned the ensuing kickoff into Forrest City territory, giving the Redskins an opportunity to answer. Pocahontas worked the ball downfield on the ground, with Ryder Baltz taking a direct snap and advancing to the 4. Xayver Ballard scored from there with 6:28 remaining in the second quarter. Jaxon McDonald’s extra-point attempt missed, leaving Forrest City ahead 14-6.
The Mustangs responded with another sustained possession. Lacorian Smith scored on a 2-yard keeper with 3:11 left before halftime, pulling the ball from his running back and taking it into the end zone. The two-point pass fell incomplete. Pocahontas drove inside the Forrest City 10 late in the half, but an interception near the goal line preserved the 20-6 margin.
Pocahontas opened the second half with its second scoring drive. Completions to Parker Radcliff, including a catch-and-run to the Forrest City 13, helped set up Spencer James, who punched in a short touchdown run with 7:51 left in the third quarter. Forrest City blocked the extra point.
The Mustangs again answered immediately. On third down, their quarterback moved toward the line of scrimmage before finding a receiver across the middle for a 20-yard touchdown. Ace Brooks intercepted the two-point pass, leaving the score 26-12.
After stopping Pocahontas on fourth down, Forrest City drove for its final touchdown. A holding penalty erased an apparent score, but the Mustangs recovered with a 20-yard touchdown pass with 10:43 left in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion completed the scoring.
Ballard finished with 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, according to the Pocahontas broadcast’s postgame statistics. James added 16 rushing yards and a touchdown on six attempts.
Forrest City visits Trumann next Friday, Oct. 16. Pocahontas returns home to face Highland.
Verified Named Scoring Plays
First Quarter
Forrest City — Short touchdown pass to Jatavious Lewis (Kick good), 7-0.
Second Quarter
Pocahontas — Xayver Ballard 4-yard run (Jaxon McDonald kick failed), 14-6. 6:28 remaining.
Forrest City — Lacorian Smith 2-yard run (Two-point pass incomplete), 20-6. 3:11 remaining.
Third Quarter
Pocahontas — Spencer James short touchdown run (Kick blocked), 20-12. 7:51 remaining.
Players Who Stood Out
Jatavious Lewis, Forrest City — Opening-possession TD reception; additional catches helped sustain scoring drives
Lacorian Smith, Forrest City — 2-yard rushing TD with 3:11 left in the second quarter
Xayver Ballard, Pocahontas — 16 carries, 75 yards and a 4-yard TD, according to broadcast postgame figures; all work in first half
Spencer James, Pocahontas — 6 carries, 16 yards and a short third-quarter TD, according to broadcast postgame figures
Ace Brooks, Pocahontas — Intercepted Forrest City two-point pass following third-quarter TD
Ryder Starr, Pocahontas — Kickoff return into Forrest City territory set up the first Pocahontas TD drive
Parker Radcliff, Pocahontas — Third-quarter receptions helped set up James TD