Stephens, Barksdale Power Sheridan’s 67-Point Homecoming Victory

Published On: September 26, 2026Categories: High School, News

Sheridan 67, West Memphis 29

Isaiah “Zay” Stephens rushed for 303 yards and scored five touchdowns, while Easton Barksdale threw seven touchdown passes as Sheridan celebrated homecoming with a 67–29 victory over West Memphis on Friday.

The Yellow Jackets improved to 4–0 for the first time since 2000 and opened 6A-East play with a victory. West Memphis answered with three rushing touchdowns from Andrew Clay III and a defensive score from Ashton Clark, keeping the margin at five points late in the second quarter before Sheridan separated.

Stephens scored three times on the ground and caught three passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Barksdale completed 25 of 39 passes for 395 yards, distributing scoring throws throughout a receiving group that repeatedly converted long-yardage situations. Bradley Sturdivant and Copeland Crutchfield helped open running lanes along the left side.

Sheridan recovered the opening onside kick and sustained its first possession with Barksdale’s fourth-and-17 completion to Wylie DePriest. Barksdale finished the drive with a touchdown pass, putting the Yellow Jackets ahead 6–0 after an unsuccessful conversion.

Walker Shields intercepted Clay on West Memphis’ first possession, setting up another scoring opportunity. Stephens broke through the middle for a touchdown run, and McCurry Meyer’s diving catch on the two-point conversion extended the lead to 14–0.

West Memphis answered when Carelle Miller’s sack forced a fumble and Clark returned the recovery for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion made it 14–8. Barksdale responded with a third-and-15 touchdown pass to Hunter Socia, giving Sheridan a 20–8 advantage after another unsuccessful conversion.

Clay’s second-quarter touchdown run and the extra point brought West Memphis within 20–15. The Blue Devils then forced a turnover on downs to keep that margin intact.

Sheridan regained momentum with a fourth-down stop with less than three minutes remaining before halftime. Stephens scored on the next play, taking a pitch outside for a 43-yard touchdown. Trevor Stone recovered the ensuing onside kick, and Barksdale connected with Shields before Stephens added a 26-yard scoring run. The two touchdowns came 15 seconds apart, sending Sheridan into halftime ahead 32–15.

Stephens opened the second half with a long run to West Memphis’ 23, then caught a touchdown pass two plays later. Rashod Litzsey recovered a fumble on the Blue Devils’ next possession. Barksdale converted that opportunity with another touchdown pass to Stephens, this time on fourth-and-14, extending the lead to 46–15.

Clay answered with his second rushing touchdown. Sheridan responded with another Socia touchdown reception on a drive kept alive by Lawson Hammond’s fourth-down sideline catch, making it 53–22 entering the fourth quarter.

Clay scored again to open the final period. Shields then made a diving touchdown catch, and Dylan Smith caught Barksdale’s final scoring pass with 6:44 remaining. DePriest’s fourth-down reception helped sustain that last scoring drive.

Clay finished with 75 rushing yards on 14 carries and completed 9 of 20 passes for 93 yards. Sheridan’s defense closed by forcing punts on West Memphis’ final two possessions, completing a night that featured an interception, a fumble recovery and timely fourth-down stops.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Sheridan: Easton Barksdale touchdown pass; two-point try unsuccessful. Sheridan 6–0.
Sheridan: Zay Stephens touchdown run; Barksdale pass to McCurry Meyer for two. Sheridan 14–0.
West Memphis: Ashton Clark fumble-return touchdown; two-point conversion good. Sheridan 14–8.
Sheridan: Hunter Socia, 20-yard pass from Barksdale; two-point try unsuccessful. Sheridan 20–8.

Second Quarter

West Memphis: Andrew Clay III, 12-yard touchdown run; kick good. Sheridan 20–15.
Sheridan: Stephens, 43-yard touchdown run; two-point try unsuccessful. Sheridan 26–15.
Sheridan: Stephens, 26-yard touchdown run; two-point try unsuccessful. Sheridan 32–15.

Third Quarter

Sheridan: Stephens, 23-yard pass from Barksdale; kick good. Sheridan 39–15.
Sheridan: Stephens touchdown pass from Barksdale; kick good. Sheridan 46–15.
West Memphis: Clay, 12-yard touchdown run; kick good. Sheridan 46–22.
Sheridan: Socia touchdown pass from Barksdale; kick good. Sheridan 53–22.

Fourth Quarter

West Memphis: Clay, 15-yard touchdown run; kick good. Sheridan 53–29.
Sheridan: Walker Shields, 15-yard pass from Barksdale; kick good. Sheridan 60–29.
Sheridan: Dylan Smith touchdown pass from Barksdale; kick good. Sheridan 67–29.

Players Who Stood Out

Zay Stephens, Sheridan: 303 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus three catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns. His 43- and 26-yard scoring runs widened a 20–15 lead before halftime.
Easton Barksdale, Sheridan: Completed 25 of 39 passes for 395 yards and seven touchdowns, including a fourth-and-14 scoring throw to Stephens.
Hunter Socia, Sheridan: Two touchdown receptions, including a third-and-15 score in the first quarter.
Walker Shields, Sheridan: Intercepted a first-quarter pass and made a diving touchdown catch in the fourth quarter; added a sideline reception on the final scoring drive of the first half.
Trevor Stone, Sheridan: Recovered the second-quarter onside kick that set up Stephens’ third rushing touchdown.
Andrew Clay III, West Memphis: Three rushing touchdowns, 75 yards on 14 carries and 93 passing yards on 9-of-20 passing.
Ashton Clark, West Memphis: Returned a fumble for a first-quarter touchdown and made open-field stops against Sheridan’s screen game.