Poyen 34, England 20

Poyen 34, England 20

ENGLAND — England led at halftime, but Poyen’s adjustments and big-play offense flipped a conference matchup that finished 34–20 in the Indians’ favor Friday night. The Lions went up 20–16 at the break on three rushing scores, yet Poyen answered with 18 unanswered after intermission, using a blocked‑punt safety to swing momentum and two more touchdowns to pull away.

Quarterback Colt Barrett powered Poyen’s surge. The senior signal-caller punched in a short keeper early, then engineered second‑half strikes of 45 and 32 yards and added another 1‑yard score to seal it, with the Indians opting for two-point conversions throughout. (Position per Hudl.)

England countered behind Jordan Palmer, who directed a crisp two‑minute drill late in the half and scored on keepers from five and 17 yards. Sophomore Mason Guess opened the night with a 2‑yard plunge behind a grinding, four‑minute drive, while senior Jayquan Mays converted a fourth‑and‑15 to set up points and Trent Arnold produced a red‑zone interception to momentarily halt Poyen.

England entered the week off a season-opening win over Bigelow, 33–14, a game that showcased many of the same contributors now anchoring the Lions’ offense and defense.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
England – Mason Guess 2‑yd run (conversion failed), England 6, Poyen 0.

2nd Quarter
Poyen – Colt Barrett 1‑yd run (2‑pt good), Poyen 8, England 6. 
England – Jordan Palmer 5‑yd run (conversion failed), England 12, Poyen 8. 
Poyen – Colt Barrett 32‑yd TD pass (2‑pt good), Poyen 16, England 12. 
England – Jordan Palmer 17‑yd run (2‑pt good), England 20, Poyen 16.

3rd Quarter
Poyen – Team safety (blocked punt), Poyen 18, England 20. 
Poyen – Colt Barrett 45‑yd TD pass (2‑pt good), Poyen 26, England 20.

4th Quarter
Poyen – Colt Barrett 1‑yd run (2‑pt good), Poyen 34, England 20.

Standouts 

• Colt Barrett, QB, Poyen — two 1‑yd TD runs; two long TD passes.

• Jordan Palmer, QB/WR/CB, England — TD runs of 5 and 17 yards.

• Mason Guess, MLB/QB, England — 2‑yd opening TD.

• Jayquan Mays, WR/CB, England — clutch 4th‑and‑15 reception to set up points.

• Trent Arnold, DB —red-zone interception against Poyen, halting a scoring chance and keeping England in the game