Wildcats pull away late, drop Wynne on the road

Published On: November 1, 2025Categories: High School, News

Harding Academy 34, Wynne 9

Harding Academy pulled away after halftime to beat Wynne 34-9 on Friday at First Security Stadium in Searcy. The Wildcats jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter, then answered a third‑quarter Yellowjackets threat with a decisive quick‑strike touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Krews Wray accounted for three touchdowns, including a 71‑yard strike to senior standout Cam Pryor. Wray also opened the scoring on a 6‑yard keeper, and he found junior receiver Joseph Myles for a 22‑yard touchdown late in the first. Junior kicker Hunter Hopkins added three extra points. Junior wideout Baxton “Bax” Howell sealed it with a 9‑yard scoring run in the fourth.

Wynne fought back in the second quarter. Junior running back Braydon Smith powered in from four yards, and sophomore kicker August “Auggie” Smith converted a 25‑yard field goal just before halftime to trim the deficit to 14‑9. Sophomore safety Ashton McDaniel, taking snaps at quarterback, moved the chains with timely runs, while the Yellowjackets’ front—anchored by seniors Anthony Smith and James Archer—generated stops to keep it close.

Harding Academy’s defense tightened in the red zone and flipped momentum with an interception to start the second half. The Wildcats’ speed at the second level—led by free safety Pryor and linebacker Easton Baker—bottled up perimeter runs and limited explosives, and linemen Riley Smith and Tristan Glenn were active at the point of attack. Wynne’s special teams contributed field position with a 46‑yard punt from senior Cooper Thompson, but the Wildcats’ balance and execution carried the closing stages on the road.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter – Harding Academy – Krews Wray 6‑yd run (Hunter Hopkins kick), 7–0.
1st Quarter – Harding Academy – Joseph Myles 22‑yd pass from Wray (Hopkins kick), 14–0.
2nd Quarter – Wynne – Braydon Smith 4‑yd run (kick no good), 14–6.
2nd Quarter – Wynne – August Smith 25‑yd FG, 14–9.
3rd Quarter – Harding Academy – Cam Pryor 71‑yd pass from Wray (kick no good), 20–9.
4th Quarter – Harding Academy – Pryor 14‑yd run (Hopkins kick), 27–9.
4th Quarter – Harding Academy – Baxton “Bax” Howell 9‑yd run (Hopkins kick), 34–9.

Players Who Stood Out

Krews Wray (So., QB, Harding Academy): 3 total TDs (2 pass, 1 rush).
Cam Pryor (Sr., FS/WR, Harding Academy): 2 TDs (71‑yd reception; 14‑yd run).
Joseph Myles (Jr., WR/SS, Harding Academy): TD reception, chain‑moving catches.
Baxton “Bax” Howell (Jr., WR, Harding Academy): 9‑yd TD run to cap it.
Braydon Smith (Jr., RB/OLB, Wynne): 1 rushing TD; hard yards between the tackles.