Morrilton 45, Pea Ridge 13

Morrilton 45, Pea Ridge 13

MORRILTON — Morrilton rolled past Pea Ridge 45–13 behind a sharp night from senior quarterback Maddox Berryand a workhorse ground game that wore down the Blackhawks. The Devil Dogs scored on three of their first four possessions and never trailed.

Berry completed 20 of 27 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns, distributing to an array of targets. Sophomore back Brelan Criswell churned for 147 yards on 18 carries with two scores, controlling the tempo between the tackles. Receivers Dante Cox (six catches, 102 yards, two TD) and Champ McNabb (four for 67 and a score) repeatedly found soft spots, while Maddox Jones added a seven‑yard touchdown grab. Reserve back Kobe Toney sealed it with a 23‑yard burst early in the fourth.

Pea Ridge showed fight. Junior quarterback Hudson White answered Morrilton’s opener with a two‑yard strike to Darrin Fletcher, then later found James Hargiss for a 58‑yard touchdown that cut the deficit. Tristen German ran with purpose, and the Blackhawks moved the chains with timely receptions by Tucker Wood and Isaiah Cruz.

Special teams and field position tilted the rest. Sophomore Elijiah Wimbley blocked Pea Ridge’s first PAT, keeping Morrilton in front, and Jeremiah Smallwood’s 51‑yard punt was downed at the two to cap a dominant third‑quarter stretch. Morrilton led 25‑6 at halftime and outscored the visitors 20‑7 after the break, leaning on a disciplined front and a low‑penalty night to stay in control. Berry’s poise and Criswell’s balance set the tone for a complete, wire‑to‑wire win tonight.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Morrilton – Champ McNabb 25‑yd pass from Maddox Berry (kick good), 7‑0.
1st Quarter Pea Ridge – Darrin Fletcher 2‑yd pass from Hudson White (PAT blocked), 7‑6.
1st Quarter Morrilton – Brelan Criswell 3‑yd run (kick failed), 13‑6.
2nd Quarter Morrilton – Dante Cox 16‑yd pass from Berry (kick failed), 19‑6.
2nd Quarter Morrilton – Maddox Jones 7‑yd pass from Berry (kick failed), 25‑6.
3rd Quarter Morrilton – Criswell 8‑yd run (kick failed), 31‑6.
3rd Quarter Morrilton – Cox 39‑yd pass from Berry (kick good), 38‑6.
4th Quarter Morrilton – Kobe Toney 23‑yd run (kick good), 45‑6.
4th Quarter Pea Ridge – James Hargiss 58‑yd pass from White (kick good), 45‑13.

Players who stood out

• Maddox Berry, QB (MHS) — 20/27, 271 yards, 4 TD

• Brelan Criswell, RB (MHS) — 18 rushes, 147 yards, 2 TD.

• Dante Cox, WR (MHS) — 6 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD.

• Hudson White, QB (PRHS) — 2 TD passes (2, 58 yards).

• James Hargiss, RB (PRHS) — 58‑yard TD reception; impact touches.