Prado’s three field goals lift Batesville past Newport in overtime

Batesville 16, Newport 13

Tristan Prado kicked three field goals, including the winner in overtime, as Batesville rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat Newport 16-13 Friday in the White River Bowl at Greyhound Field.

The Pioneers scored the game’s final 16 points and secured the victory with an interception on Newport’s fourth-down overtime pass.

Newport’s Jaden Robinson intercepted two first-quarter passes. His first gave the Greyhounds possession at Batesville’s 35-yard line, setting up Luke Sampson’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Tavarius Hardaway with 4:11 remaining. Destin Jackson’s extra point made it 7-0.

Batesville stopped Newport on fourth-and-2 early in the second quarter, and the Greyhounds carried their 7-0 lead into halftime.

After forcing a punt to open the second half, Newport scored on its first offensive play. Sampson hit Jakhlen Spearman on a quick out, and Spearman turned the completion into a 73-yard touchdown with 10:14 remaining. A high snap prevented the extra-point conversion, leaving the lead at 13-0.

Prado’s 37-yard field goal brought Batesville within 13-3 with 7:47 left in the third quarter. Kendall Johnson then caught a 27-yard touchdown pass on third-and-17 with 3:30 remaining. A roughing-the-passer penalty on an earlier fourth-down incompletion had extended the drive. Prado’s extra point made it 13-10.

Prado tied the game with a 32-yard field goal with 8:06 remaining. Newport’s defense also forced a late punt that gave the Greyhounds another possession at Batesville’s 47-yard line. Batesville later stopped Newport on fourth-and-1 in Pioneer territory to help send the game into overtime.

Hardaway broke up a pass during Batesville’s overtime possession before Prado supplied the winning field goal. The Pioneers then forced Newport backward on its first two plays, forced a third-down incompletion and intercepted the fourth-down throw intended for Hardaway.

Sampson threw both Newport touchdowns. Prado supplied 10 points, while Johnson scored Batesville’s only touchdown.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

4:11 — Newport – Tavarius Hardaway 8-yard pass from Luke Sampson (Destin Jackson kick), Newport 7, Batesville 0.

2nd Quarter

No scoring. Halftime: Newport 7, Batesville 0.

3rd Quarter

10:14 — Newport – Jakhlen Spearman 73-yard pass from Sampson (PAT failed after a high snap), Newport 13, Batesville 0.
7:47 — Batesville – Tristan Prado 37-yard field goal, Newport 13, Batesville 3.
3:30 — Batesville – Kendall Johnson 27-yard touchdown reception on third-and-17 (Prado kick), Newport 13, Batesville 10.

4th Quarter

8:06 — Batesville – Prado 32-yard field goal, Newport 13, Batesville 13.

Overtime

Batesville – Prado 28-yard field goal, Batesville 16, Newport 13.

Batesville intercepted Newport’s fourth-down pass on the ensuing possession to end the game.

Players of the Game

• Tristan Prado, Batesville, kicker: Three field goals and one extra point for 10 points. Connected from 37 and 32 yards in regulation and 28 yards in overtime. His second field goal tied the game; his third provided the winning points.
• Kendall Johnson, Batesville, wide receiver: Caught a 27-yard touchdown pass on third-and-17, cutting Newport’s lead to 13-10 after the extra point. His punt return to Newport’s 35-yard line helped set up that touchdown drive.
• Luke Sampson, Newport, quarterback: Threw two touchdown passes, covering 8 yards to Hardaway and 73 yards to Spearman.
• Jaden Robinson, Newport, safety: Recorded two first-quarter interceptions. The first gave Newport possession at Batesville’s 35-yard line and led to the opening touchdown.
• Jakhlen Spearman, Newport, receiver: Scored on a 73-yard touchdown reception on Newport’s first offensive play of the second half, extending the lead to 13-0.