Mills Pulls Away From Osceola in Season Opener

Published On: September 1, 2026Categories: News, High School

Mills 30, Osceola 14

OSCEOLA — Mills generated 365 yards and five touchdowns in a 30-14 season-opening victory over Osceola on Friday in northeast Arkansas.

Mills finished with 159 rushing yards and 206 passing yards in the victory.

The Comets opened the scoring with 3:54 remaining in the first quarter. Kenneth Gilcreast Jr. extended the play before finding Torrance Talbot crossing the end zone. The conversion missed, leaving Mills ahead 6-0.

Osceola answered six seconds into the second quarter. Deion Spears used play action and found Marvell Carr open for a 13-yard touchdown. Deizel Freeman converted the extra point, giving the Seminoles a 7-6 lead.

Mills responded on its next possession. Gilcreast completed short passes to Talbot and Maddox Parker before Zamarion McDonald scored with 10:06 left in the half. The Comets led 12-7 after another missed conversion.

Mills’ pressure forced Spears to fumble, and Christopher Oliver recovered at the Osceola 28. Bryshun Cunningham scored on the next snap, sending Mills into halftime ahead 18-7.

On Mills’ opening possession of the second half, Gilcreast threw a quick pass to Ja’Meion Reese, who broke two tackles and crossed the field on a 33-yard touchdown. The conversion failed, preserving a 24-7 margin.

Osceola answered immediately after E’Kylin Perez recovered a Mills fumble. Spears connected with Fabious Hughes for a 72-yard touchdown on the following play, and Freeman’s extra point reduced Mills’ lead to 24-14.

Cunningham completed a fourth-quarter drive with an 8-yard touchdown at 7:34, producing the final margin. Jordan Pruitt intercepted Spears with 2:45 remaining, allowing Mills to drain the clock.

Gilcreast completed 13 of 21 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Cunningham gained 53 yards and scored twice on six carries. McDonald rushed nine times for 83 yards and one touchdown. Reese caught four passes for 88 yards and one score.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

3:54 — Mills: Gilcreast touchdown pass to Talbot; conversion failed. Mills 6-0.

Second quarter

11:54 — Osceola: Spears 13-yard touchdown pass to Carr; Freeman kick. Osceola 7-6.
10:06 — Mills: McDonald touchdown run; conversion failed. Mills 12-7.
1:58 — Mills: Cunningham touchdown run; two-point attempt failed. Mills 18-7.

Third quarter

2:47 — Mills: Gilcreast 33-yard touchdown pass to Reese; two-point attempt failed. Mills 24-7.
1:03 — Osceola: Spears 72-yard touchdown pass to Hughes; Freeman kick. Mills 24-14.

Fourth quarter

7:34 — Mills: Cunningham 8-yard touchdown run; conversion failed. Mills 30-14.

Players Who Stood Out

Kenneth Gilcreast Jr., Mills: Completed 13 of 21 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Bryshun Cunningham, Mills: Rushed six times for 53 yards and two touchdowns, including an 8-yard fourth-quarter score.
Zamarion McDonald, Mills: Recorded 83 yards and one touchdown on nine carries, with a long run of 36 yards.
Ja’Meion Reese, Mills: Caught four passes for 88 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown after breaking two tackles.
Deion Spears, Osceola: Threw a 13-yard touchdown to Marvell Carr and a 72-yard touchdown to Fabious Hughes.