Sandidge, Berry power Morrilton past Nettleton with second-half surge

Morrilton 55, Nettleton 26

MORRILTON — Senior quarterback Maddox Berry accounted for six touchdowns, and Jamarcus C. Sandidge tied a bow on a historic night with five scoring receptions as Morrilton pulled away from Nettleton, 55–26, in the Class 5A first round Friday. Berry threw five touchdowns and added a 3-yard keeper, directing a balanced Devil Dog attack that seized control after halftime.

Sandidge’s burst and timing repeatedly punished single coverage, hauling in scores of 14, 44, 34, 24 and 8 yards. Dante Cox added a 16-yard TD grab, Brelan Criswell slashed in from 15 yards, and kicker Aaron Echalaz converted seven of eight PATs.

Nettleton struck first and stayed close behind a dynamic night from senior Marcus Jefferson, who opened the scoring with a 16‑yard run and later found Jeremiah Jackson for a 6‑yard strike. The Raiders also flashed explosiveness in the second half: Xavier Harrell sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown, and Jorden Simmons broke free for an 89‑yard scoring reception.

Morrilton’s defense stiffened after the opening quarter. Dominick McCoy intercepted a deep ball at midfield to end a Nettleton threat, and end Shane Willis lived in the backfield with multiple tackles for loss and a third‑quarter sack as the Devil Dogs outscored the Raiders 34–13 after intermission.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Nettleton – Marcus Jefferson 16 run (kick good), NTL 7–0
Morrilton – Maddox Berry 3 run (Aaron Echalaz kick), 7–7
Nettleton – Jeremiah Jackson 6 pass from Jefferson (two‑point run no good), NTL 13–7

2nd Quarter
Morrilton – Jamarcus Sandidge 14 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 14–13
Morrilton – Sandidge 44 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 21–13

3rd Quarter
Morrilton – Dante Cox 16 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 28–13
Morrilton – Brelan Criswell 15 run (kick no good), MOR 34–13
Nettleton – Xavier Harrell 72 run (kick good), MOR 34–20
Morrilton – Sandidge 34 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 41–20

4th Quarter
Morrilton – Sandidge 24 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 48–20
Morrilton – Sandidge 8 pass from Berry (Echalaz kick), MOR 55–20
Nettleton – Jorden Simmons 89 pass from Jefferson (kick no good), MOR 55–26

Players who stood out

• Jamarcus C. Sandidge (MOR, WR) — 5 receiving TDs (14, 44, 34, 24, 8).

• Maddox Berry (MOR, QB) — 5 TD passes, 1 rushing TD.

• Marcus Jefferson (NET, QB) — 100+ rushing yards, 16‑yd TD run; 6‑yd TD pass.

• Xavier Harrell (NET, RB) — 72‑yd TD run; breakaway speed all night.

• Dominick McCoy (MOR, SS) — 1 interception to halt a drive.