Late heroics lift Wynne over Brookland in 5A East opener

Wynne 32, Brookland 27

WYNNE — Wynne opened 5A East play with a measured, ground-first win, edging Brookland 32–27 behind quarterback Grant Oguin and a three‑touchdown night from Noah Steward. Oguin struck first with a 33‑yard scoring pass to Steward and later found Christian Wren for the back‑breaking fourth‑quarter touchdown as the Yellowjackets protected a one‑score lead down the stretch.

The Jackets surged to a 12–0 lead in the first quarter: Steward’s 4‑yard plunge followed his 33‑yard reception from Oguin. Brookland answered behind Gabe Carter, whose 8‑yard TD cut it to 12–7 after one, then a 41‑yard breakaway put the Bearcats briefly ahead 13–12. Wynne reclaimed control before halftime on Steward’s 2‑yard score and August Smith’s PAT for a 19–13 cushion.

Wynne extended the margin when Wren finished a short field with a 5‑yard run midway through the third. Brookland stayed in it as Mark Taylor burst 50 yards to pull within 26–20. In the fourth, Oguin’s 48‑yard strike to Wren pushed the lead to two possessions; Carter’s 2‑yard keeper trimmed it to 32–27, but the Yellowjackets closed it out with a late fourth‑down conversion and a final kneel.

Oguin was a model of efficiency (3‑for‑3, 92 yards, 2 TD; 80+ rushing yards), while Steward (RB/LB) piled up three scores and Wren (RB/DB) added a rushing TD plus the decisive reception. Braydon Smith (RB/OLB) powered the chains for Wynne. Brookland’s run‑heavy attack featured Carter at QB with multiple rushing scores and Taylor’s long TD; Dot Aloh was perfect on three PATs for the Bearcats. Player positions and spellings per current Hudl/MaxPreps rosters.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Wynne – Noah Steward 33‑yd pass from Grant Oguin (kick failed), WYN 6–0. 
Wynne – Noah Steward 4‑yd run (two‑pt try failed), WYN 12–0. 
Brookland – Gabe Carter 8‑yd run (Dot Aloh kick), WYN 12–7.

2nd Quarter
Brookland – Gabe Carter 41‑yd run (Aloh kick), BRK 13–12. 
Wynne – Noah Steward 2‑yd run (August Smith kick), WYN 19–13.

3rd Quarter
Wynne – Christian Wren 5‑yd run (Smith kick), WYN 26–13. 
Brookland – Mark Taylor 50‑yd run (Aloh kick), WYN 26–20.

4th Quarter
Wynne – Christian Wren 48‑yd pass from Grant Oguin (two‑pt try failed), WYN 32–20. 
Brookland – Gabe Carter 2‑yd run (Aloh kick), WYN 32–27.

Standouts

• Noah Steward (Wynne, RB/LB) — 3 TD (33‑yd rec; 4‑, 2‑yd runs).

• Grant Oguin (Wynne, QB/MLB) — 2 TD passes; 80+ rush yards.

• Christian Wren (Wynne, RB/DB) — TD run; 48‑yd TD catch.

• Gabe Carter (Brookland, QB) — TD runs of 8, 41, and 2 yards.

• Mark Taylor (Brookland, RB) — 50‑yd TD; downhill workhorse.