French’s four touchdown catches rally Ashdown past Genoa Central

Ashdown 26, Genoa Central 20

GENOA — Bryson French caught four touchdown passes from Shooter Johnson, including the go-ahead 44-yarder with 7:36 remaining, as Ashdown rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Genoa Central 26-20 Friday night.

French finished with 10 catches for 233 yards, according to the Ashdown broadcast. Three of his touchdowns came after halftime, and the Panthers held Genoa Central scoreless in the final two quarters. Ashdown improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in 7-4A play. Genoa Central fell to 3-2 and 0-2.

The Dragons controlled the opening quarter. Brayden Adams broke tackles on a 54-yard touchdown run on Genoa Central’s second offensive play. A bad snap spoiled the conversion attempt, but the Dragons quickly added to their lead.

After forcing a punt, Genoa Central drove from deep in its own territory. Its ground game repeatedly created manageable third downs, and a fourth-down completion kept the possession alive near the goal line. Coby Fike finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter. Ashdown stopped the two-point attempt, leaving the score 12-0.

Genoa Central recovered a fumble on Ashdown’s next possession and threatened again. A fourth-down throwback to Gaige Clement carried the Dragons inside the 10, but Ethan Warner recovered a fumble to halt that drive. Ashdown later had a French punt-return touchdown erased by an illegal blindside block.

Johnson and French finally put the Panthers on the board late in the second quarter. Johnson found French for a 39-yard touchdown with 2:37 left. The two-point attempt failed, and Genoa Central answered immediately: Zach Deaton broke free on a 55-yard quarterback counter, then the Dragons completed a two-point pass for a 20-6 lead with 2:20 remaining.

Ashdown began its comeback on the first possession of the second half. Tyler Smith’s reception and Cordae Baker’s 12-yard run moved the ball into Genoa territory before a high snap cost the Panthers substantial yardage. French caught a third-down pass, then broke tackles on a 36-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-long. Ahmari Spencer’s kick cut the deficit to 20-13 with 9:05 left in the third quarter.

Cayden White stopped Genoa Central on fourth down during the next possession. Johnson then hit French for a 44-yard touchdown, and Spencer’s extra point tied the game 20-20 with 6:18 left.

The score remained tied into the fourth quarter. After forcing a punt, Ashdown again turned to French, who took Johnson’s screen pass, turned upfield and covered 44 yards for the lead. The extra point missed, leaving Genoa Central within six.

The Panthers’ defense protected that margin. Genoa Central’s final drive reached Ashdown territory before Mario Lewis and Braden Erwin made consecutive tackles for loss. Sam Scroggins pressured Deaton into a fourth-down incompletion with 1:16 remaining. Baker gained nine yards on Ashdown’s next play, and Johnson subsequently knelt to finish the comeback.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Genoa Central — Brayden Adams 54-yard touchdown run (conversion attempt unsuccessful after bad snap). Genoa Central 6, Ashdown 0.

Genoa Central — Coby Fike seven-yard touchdown run (two-point attempt unsuccessful). Genoa Central 12, Ashdown 0. 4:29.

2nd Quarter

Ashdown — Bryson French 39-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (two-point attempt unsuccessful). Genoa Central 12, Ashdown 6. 2:37.

Genoa Central — Zach Deaton 55-yard touchdown run (two-point pass good). Genoa Central 20, Ashdown 6. 2:20.

3rd Quarter

Ashdown — Bryson French 36-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (Ahmari Spencer kick). Genoa Central 20, Ashdown 13. 9:05.

Ashdown — Bryson French 44-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (Ahmari Spencer kick). Ashdown 20, Genoa Central 20. 6:18.

4th Quarter

Ashdown — Bryson French 44-yard touchdown pass from Shooter Johnson (kick unsuccessful). Ashdown 26, Genoa Central 20. 7:36.

Players Who Stood Out

Bryson French, Ashdown — Ten catches for 233 yards and four touchdowns, according to the postgame broadcast. Scored on passes of 39, 36, 44 and 44 yards; three touchdowns came after halftime.

Shooter Johnson, Ashdown — Threw all four touchdown passes to French and converted a third-quarter fourth down with a scramble.

Mario Lewis, Ashdown — Stopped a quarterback counter for a loss after Ashdown tied the game and made a late tackle for loss during Genoa Central’s final possession.

Braden Erwin, Ashdown — Made the third-down tackle for loss immediately before Genoa Central’s final fourth-down incompletion. Punted the ball deep into Dragon territory in the first quarter.

Sam Scroggins, Ashdown — Pressured Deaton into the final fourth-down incompletion and joined Logan Erwin on a third-quarter backfield stop.

Cayden White, Ashdown — Recovered Genoa Central’s onside kick to start the second half and made the fourth-down stop that set up the tying touchdown.

Ethan Warner, Ashdown — Recovered a first-quarter fumble after Genoa Central had driven inside the 10, keeping the deficit at 12 points.

Cordae Baker, Ashdown — Supplied a 12-yard run on the opening second-half touchdown drive and a nine-yard run after the final defensive stop.

Zach Deaton, Genoa Central — Scored on a 55-yard run. The broadcast credited him with nine carries for 103 yards at halftime.

Brayden Adams, Genoa Central — Scored on a 54-yard run on the Dragons’ second offensive play. Broadcast halftime total: five carries, 66 yards.

Coby Fike, Genoa Central — Scored on a seven-yard first-quarter run to make it 12-0.

Gaige Clement, Genoa Central — Caught a fourth-down throwback that reached inside the Ashdown 10 in the first quarter.