Newport 39, Batesville 20

NEWPORT — Trey Greer turned the White River Bowl into a track meet, ripping touchdown runs of 81, 26 and 57 yards to carry Newport past Batesville, 39–20, in the 100th meeting of the rivalry Friday night. Quarterback Luke Reynolds was composed and efficient, firing first-half scoring strikes to receiver Nemo Crite (33 yards) and Luke Sampson (27) and later hitting Crite on the two-point slant that sent the Greyhounds to halftime up 21–13. Return ace Dayrin “Day” Braxton widened the margin with a 65-yard punt-return score early in the third as Newport controlled field position and outscored the Pioneers 18–7 after the break.

Batesville answered early behind quarterback Cole Bentz, who opened the game with a 12-yard touchdown pass and added a late 1-yard keeper. Two-way standout Ethan Moser churned tough yardage and helped set the edge, while receiver Colin McCuiston worked the boundary in the quick game. Newport’s front was disruptive throughout: end Hayden Kennedy lived in the backfield, tackle Jay Grady stacked interior runs, and defensive back Jaden Robinson erased perimeter lanes; linebacker/kicker Destin Jackson added a first-half PAT and a pass breakup. Reynolds, Crite, Sampson and Braxton headline Newport’s skill unit; Bentz, McCuiston and Moser lead Batesville’s core.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Batesville – Colin McCuiston 12 pass from Cole Bentz (Jackson Elam kick), BA 7-0.
Newport – Trey Greer 81 run (Destin Jackson kick), 7-7.

2nd Quarter
Batesville – Cole Bentz 2 run (kick failed), BA 13-7.
Newport – Nemo Crite 33 pass from Luke Reynolds (kick failed), 13-13.
Newport – Luke Sampson 27 pass from Luke Reynolds (Crite pass from Reynolds), 21-13.

3rd Quarter
Newport – Dayrin Braxton 65 punt return (run failed), 27-13.

4th Quarter
Newport – Trey Greer 26 run (pass failed), 33-13.
Batesville – Cole Bentz 1 run (Jackson Elam kick), 33-20.
Newport – Trey Greer 57 run (pass failed), 39-20.

Standouts

• Trey Greer, RB (Newport) — three rushing TDs (81, 26, 57).

• Luke Reynolds, QB (Newport) — two TD passes; 2-pt throw to Crite.

• Dayrin Braxton, WR/KR (Newport) — 65-yard punt-return TD.

• Cole Bentz, QB (Batesville) — TD pass and TD run.

• Ethan Moser, RB/LB (Batesville) — two-way impact.