Third-Quarter Surge Sends Searcy Past Batesville

Searcy 54, Batesville 13

BATESVILLE — Searcy turned a three-point first-quarter deficit into a 54-13 season-opening victory Friday at Pioneer Stadium, scoring on offense, defense and special teams while producing 399 total yards.

Batesville controlled the opening possession and reached the Searcy 6 before the Lions stopped Michael Cheatham’s third-down completion short of the goal line. Tristan Prado’s field goal gave the Pioneers a 3-0 lead with 7:03 left in the first quarter.

Searcy answered with touchdown passes from Jacob Miles to Jackson Smith and Will Manning. Micah Linderman made both extra points, putting the Lions ahead 14-3 after one quarter.

The margin grew on the first scoring play of the second quarter when Searcy sacked Cheatham in the end zone for a safety. Deandre Shockley returned the free kick 61 yards to the Batesville 5, then scored two plays later. Prado’s second field goal cut the lead to 23-6, but Linderman made a 27-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining for a 26-6 halftime advantage.

Searcy settled the outcome with 28 third-quarter points. Miles scored on a 20-yard keeper, then hit Bryson Thompson for a 17-yard touchdown. Shockley added a 4-yard scoring run. After Carter Blanchard recovered a Batesville kickoff fumble at the 7, quarterback Bryson Allen scored on a keeper, creating a 54-6 lead and a running clock.

Batesville completed the scoring in the fourth quarter. Caleb Murrah broke a 40-yard run to the Searcy 40 and added another first-down carry. Savion Kelly then ran 12 yards to the 5 and scored on the next snap. Prado added the extra point.

Miles completed 12 of 18 passes for 192 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Shockley ran 12 times for 137 yards and two scores as Searcy finished with 207 rushing yards. Batesville’s Cheatham completed 9 of 12 passes for 68 yards.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

• 7:03 — Batesville: Tristan Prado field goal. Batesville 3-0
• 4:39 — Searcy: Jacob Miles 27-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Smith; Micah Linderman kick. Searcy 7-3
• 2:58 — Searcy: Miles 33-yard touchdown pass to Will Manning; Linderman kick. Searcy 14-3

Second quarter

• 11:10 — Searcy: Cheatham sacked in the end zone for a safety. Searcy 16-3
• 10:21 — Searcy: Deandre Shockley touchdown run; Linderman kick. Searcy 23-3
• 3:59 — Batesville: Prado field goal. Searcy 23-6
• 0:20 — Searcy: Linderman 27-yard field goal. Searcy 26-6

Third quarter

• 9:30 — Searcy: Miles 20-yard touchdown run; Linderman kick. Searcy 33-6
• 6:07 — Searcy: Miles 17-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Thompson; Linderman kick. Searcy 40-6
• 3:40 — Searcy: Shockley 4-yard touchdown run; Linderman kick. Searcy 47-6
• 0:23 — Searcy: Bryson Allen 7-yard touchdown run; Linderman kick. Searcy 54-6

Fourth quarter

• Batesville: Savion Kelly 5-yard touchdown run; Prado kick. Searcy 54-13

Players Who Stood Out

• Jacob Miles, Searcy QB: Completed 12 of 18 passes for 192 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Added 33 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
• Deandre Shockley, Searcy RB/SS/KR: Rushed 12 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Finished with 297 all-purpose yards: 137 rushing, 28 receiving, 101 on kickoff returns and 31 on punt returns.
• Will Manning, Searcy WR: Caught five passes for 101 yards, including a 33-yard first-quarter touchdown.
• Kayden Hickman, Searcy LB: Recorded 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries.
• Caleb Murrah, Batesville RB: Rushed eight times for 61 yards. His 40-yard fourth-quarter run moved Batesville into Searcy territory and started the Pioneers’ touchdown drive.