French’s four second-half touchdowns rally Ashdown past Fouke

Ashdown 39, Fouke 26

October 30, 2026

FOUKE — Bryson French scored four second-half touchdowns and intercepted two passes as Ashdown (4-5, 3-3) overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Fouke (3-6, 1-5) 39-26 on Friday, Oct. 30.

French caught touchdown passes of 13 and 15 yards from Shooter Johnson, ran for scores of 14 and 89 yards and caught the two-point conversion that tied the game in the fourth quarter. The broadcast credited him with four receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. His two scoring runs alone covered 103 yards.

Fouke established its running game early. Bryce Graves scored from 2 yards with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter, then broke a 56-yard touchdown run to build a 13-0 lead. Logan Erwin answered with a 1-yard touchdown run for Ashdown with 9:54 left in the second quarter, but the conversion pass fell incomplete.

Cody Heflin’s 2-yard touchdown run and the ensuing extra point gave Fouke a 20-6 halftime advantage. The broadcast credited Graves with 121 yards on 11 first-half carries, part of Fouke’s 202 rushing yards before intermission.

Johnson entered at quarterback in the second half and connected with French for a 13-yard touchdown with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. A penalty provided another conversion opportunity after a missed kick, but Ashdown’s ensuing pass failed. Heflin responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Blake Garner, restoring Fouke’s 14-point margin at 26-12.

Ahmari Spencer’s 9-yard touchdown run cut the deficit to 26-18 with 2:33 left in the third quarter. Ashdown again failed on the conversion, leaving an eight-point gap heading into the decisive fourth quarter.

Jaxon McNeal broke through to block a punt, giving Ashdown possession at the Fouke 14. French scored on the next play with 9:57 remaining. A successful conversion catch by Cale Cleghorn was wiped out by holding, but Johnson found French on the retry to tie the game at 26.

Lucas York then recovered his own onside kick, giving Ashdown the ball near midfield. Johnson completed a 21-yard pass to Hudson Hillis during the drive before finding French for a 15-yard touchdown with 7:33 left. The extra point put Ashdown ahead 33-26.

French intercepted a pass to stop Fouke’s next threat, then broke his 89-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining. The kick missed, leaving Ashdown ahead 39-26. French later intercepted another pass; a personal foul erased his touchdown return but did not take away Ashdown’s possession. Ashdown finished with 33 second-half points while holding Fouke to six.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

7:26 — Fouke: Bryce Graves 2-yard touchdown run (Kick good). Fouke 7-0.

Fouke: Bryce Graves 56-yard touchdown run (Kick failed). Fouke 13-0.

Second quarter

9:54 — Ashdown: Logan Erwin 1-yard touchdown run (Pass failed). Fouke 13-6.

2:12 — Fouke: Cody Heflin 2-yard touchdown run (Kick good). Fouke 20-6.

Third quarter

10:00 — Ashdown: Bryson French 13-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (Pass failed after penalty on initial kick). Fouke 20-12.

Fouke: Blake Garner 16-yard touchdown pass from Cody Heflin (Kick failed). Fouke 26-12.

2:33 — Ashdown: Ahmari Spencer 9-yard touchdown run (Pass failed). Fouke 26-18.

Fourth quarter

9:57 — Ashdown: Bryson French 14-yard touchdown run (French pass from Shooter Johnson). Tied 26-26.

7:33 — Ashdown: Bryson French 15-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (Kick good). Ashdown 33-26.

3:04 — Ashdown: Bryson French 89-yard touchdown run (Kick failed). Ashdown 39-26.

All 10 touchdowns included. Two unannounced scoring clocks and unverified kickers’ names are omitted.

Players Who Stood Out

Bryson French, Ashdown — Four second-half touchdowns: 13- and 15-yard receptions and 14- and 89-yard runs; four catches for 59 yards; tying two-point reception; two interceptions.

Shooter Johnson, Ashdown — Two second-half touchdown passes to French and the tying two-point conversion pass.

Jaxon McNeal, Ashdown — Blocked punt that set up the 14-yard touchdown run and tying conversion.

Lucas York, Ashdown — Recovered his own fourth-quarter onside kick to set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Ahmari Spencer, Ashdown — 9-yard third-quarter touchdown run.

Logan Erwin, Ashdown — 1-yard second-quarter touchdown run.

Hudson Hillis, Ashdown — 21-yard reception on the go-ahead fourth-quarter drive.

Bryce Graves, Fouke — Touchdown runs of 2 and 56 yards; 11 carries for 121 yards in the first half.

Cody Heflin, Fouke — 2-yard touchdown run and 16-yard touchdown pass to Blake Garner.

Blake Garner, Fouke — 16-yard third-quarter touchdown reception.